No Innocents

Submitted by k.edmiston (United States), Oct 3, 2011 at 12:59

Just yesterday I met some Bethlehem Christians who were selling carved olive wood outside my church to support their ministry in Bethlehem. To be honest, I hadn't really been aware of the situation of Arab Christians in PA controlled regions. The young people I met were very lovely people. Although they said nothing overtly political, and would not reply too directly to some of my questions, I must say I got the impression they believed their suffering was more the result of the wall and other Israeli policies than from Muslim persecution. I looked into it today, and lo, not surprising, all the articles and comments split between two groups, those who blame Israel, and those who demonize Muslims. My point here is not to take one or the other of these positions. My point is to say: the question is not, who is guilty, but-who is really innocent? In my view, nobody involved is completely innocent. Whenever we hear leaders use absolute statements like "always" and "never", (as in "we ALWAYS wanted peace, they NEVER wanted peace") and then claim to be ready to "negotiate", how can we believe they are serious? When leaders claim to want peace but refuse to change the behaviour or actions that are preventing peace, how can we believe them? Please show me how either side is more "virtuous" than the other. From what I can see, BOTH sides are guilty of persecution, racism, prejudice, hatred, violence, unforgiveness, torture, war crimes, and terrorism. BOTH. Until both sides grow up and take responsibility for their wrongdoing, nothing is going to change for Israel or the Palestinians. Peace begins when we admit to our own crimes, and stop projecting them onto the other.

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