When the war between Hamas and Israel began I decided I must read a book about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. I read such a book quite a few years ago. I certainly needed a refresher. The read certainly was not refreshing however.
As a result, I read the book, The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine by Michael Scott-Baumann. From the blurbs on the cover it seemed to be an impartial view of that conflict. I think I made a good choice. Its a very good book.
What have I learned as a result of reading that book? One main thing has become absolutely clear to me. That is that I have no idea who started the war or who started the current conflict either for that matter. So I had not learned who is right. But I am sure about one thing I am sure about Iwho is wrong. Both sides are wrong! And they have been wrong over and over again.
Mainly, they have been wrong because both sides have repeatedly acquiesced with what their extremists are doing in their name. And the result of that is clear. Turning over “your side” to your extremists is so ensure that peace has no chance. You can’t give peace a chance when you turn your case over to the extremists. And the same goes for the other side. No moderation; no peace. The extremists will make sure of that. Over and over again it seems that is exactly what they extremists want.
And if no side is right then the Buffalo Springfield are right when they sang:
“There’s battle lines being drawn
Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong”
Hans. I find your insight refreshing and thoughtful. As posted to another one of your blogs, I am reading the book “The Wall Between” authored by Jeffery Wilkinson, a Jew and Raja Khouri, a Palestinian. Looking at the Other and understand each other is needed to get out of blame and victim mode. Jeffery lives in our Florida community in the winter and he hosted a discussion a few days ago. I highly recommend the book. Check it out. Both are Canadian
thanks for the kind words. It sounds like a good book