Gaza – what is the issue?
Davorka Lovrekovic, the new general secretary of Church and Peace, the European peace church network, offers a Quaker response
The issue concerning Gaza, for Quakers, is not: Are you pro-Palestine or pro-Israel? The question is: Are you supporting those people in the region who are committed to a vision of living together in respect, security and lawfulness – as good neighbours and joint stewards of the land entrusted to us? Or are you standing with those people who are using violence to maintain the status quo or seeking a solution only for their own constituency? The answer is clear: the division is not between Palestinian and Israeli, but runs through their societies and communities.
Painful issues
I am a German Friend. I am happy that members of my Yearly Meeting were active when Jews – and those who were made Jews by the Nuremberg Laws in the 1930s – were being persecuted. Together with Friends from Britain Yearly Meeting, they found creative ways to help as much as possible, in both countries, and set aside considerations for their own wellbeing.
After the war Friends got involved in the Jewish-Christian dialogue. Because the failure of the Christian churches to act upon their own belief that we are all children of God, and that for us there will only be blessing if we stand with the poor and oppressed, many Friends, and friends from other organisations we work well with, have been deeply engaged in that process. It was, and still is, a necessary and fruitful dialogue if led by truthfulness and fearlessness. We must not avoid the painful issues on both sides. There is still anti-Semitism, and there is the occupation and oppression of Palestinians.
The issues in Israel and Palestine are: security, rule of law and human rights. What does that mean?
Security
Security is badly needed for all people living in the region. There are many concerns: not having security for your child to go to school unharmed (as is the case for Palestinians, and has been the case for Israeli children taking a bus to school), not knowing if you will still have a roof over your head the next day or if during the night a commando will come to demolish your house, not knowing if there will again be a scud rocket threatening your community. The fear of the people – people like you and me wanting to raise their families, work and live – the fear is the same. Palestine has been robbed of its statehood for decades. Israel is being threatened in its statehood. This situation can’t continue. It demands trust-building steps, supported by the international community. Quakers should contribute in standing by all people suffering from a lack of security, because there is no weighing the fear of a person.
Security is never gained and maintained by military means or better security technology. Quakers were deeply involved during the cold war to bring about that awareness. We should learn from that successful story. The spirituality of that question has to be addressed – only then we will be able to move forward. Quakers, as stewards of our Peace Testimony, can contribute to that necessary public and political conversation.
Building trust
Rules of law and human rights are necessary prerequisites for security. As long as established rules, regulations and procedures are not being kept, security will not come. Building trust in small steps, engaging in everything that brings people of good will together for more cooperation on issues of how living together is possible – that is where we can contribute.
We have not, in that regard, yet fully engaged with our own political institutions on a national and European level. We should advocate more along those lines and not engage in separating people even further. There are more people willing to work for nonmilitary security, rule of law and human rights than there are people who would be willing to work for the continuation of the wall in our hearts and minds. We can find them on all levels of public and political institutions.
We should use our good standing as trustworthy advocates and be cautious of one-sided actions. Are we speaking out when we hear about or witness anti-Semitism with the same burning need as we do on behalf of Palestinians? I would say: We should be outspoken about equality, truth and peace for our communities. Where is our tangible support for Israelis speaking out under difficult situations to their own community? Wouldn’t our engagement against anti-Semitism be a necessary support for them to be accepted as trustworthy advocates in their own community?
Supporting peace
I support the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) of the World Council of Churches full heartedly. I wish we had an international peace presence in Sderot, too, to show our support of Israeli people or some similar, tangible sign: You are not alone and we listen and understand and support – but not with military means, because that will not bring peace and security to you.
How can we stay true to our own history of being seekers of Truth and Light? Edward Hustler made it very clear: compassionate listening to the reality of all the people living in the region, supporting and engaging deeply with everyone who has a vision of living together, walking an extra mile with the people – in Palestine and in Israel and in our communities at home.
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