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Thursday, July 29, 2010
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Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over a century. |
Volume 135 Issue 30 |
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| 11/12/2008 2:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Let There Be Peace
By Nancy Wilson
Three passionate women hoping for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East spoke on Veterans' Day to an overflow audience at the Skidompha Library.
Wendy Eichler, of CONA (Citizens Offering New Alternatives) introduced them; an American Israeli living in a kibbutz; a Christian Palestinian living in Bethlehem; and, the third a Muslim, from Jerusalem itself.
As members of Partners for Peace, they are touring parts of the United States in the program's 15th tour, educating audiences about some of the realities of their lives in a war-torn nation. Their stories showed hope and bravery, despair and optimism; each of them saying in her own way, "it [peace] will take time."
Enas Muthaffar is a filmmaker, a Palestinian refugee who lives in East Jerusalem. "I want to speak about identity," she said, as she showed the documents she carried around: a UN refugee card, an Israeli travel document that allows her to stay in Israel as a resident but not as a citizen (this has to be renewed every two years), and a passport from Jordan, although she does not live there.
Nothing says that she is Palestinian; there is no proof that she is Palestinian. "Palestine doesn't exist on this system. I am stateless."
When she was 10 years old, Muthaffar said she endured her first intifada, or rebellion; she stayed home, and could no longer go to school. People were allowed out of their homes for three hours on three days of the week to see their families, do their shopping, etc. Everyone planted a garden, and shared with the neighbors.
When Muthaffar was old enough, she went to Cairo to study, but returned for the second uprising; this time, there were tanks and live ammunition.
"The Israelis danced on the Palestinian flag," Muthaffar said, "and I wanted to report it. No, I was told. There were reporters there, but no details. They were reporting, but not telling everything. A headline is just a headline, not the real story."
Muthaffar makes her own films, from her own studio: Jerusalem First Studios. "When the wall went up, we (my father and I) had to leave our home of 27 years. My father told me, 'Get used to moving.'"
Julia Chaitin is originally from Chicago, but she lives in a kibbutz in the desert. She teaches at a local college next to a small town, a victim of rocket attacks. "When there are rocket attacks," she said, "we have a Red Alert. It's a voice, not a siren. When we hear it, we have five to 15 seconds to find shelter. College is stressful enough."
Chaitin lived in the United States until she was 17. Joining a youth movement at 18, she had a year-long session at a kibbutz, and in 1972, she emigrated to Israel at age 19, with $200 in her pocket. "I thought I was rich," she said.
In 1973, she married, but the first war occurred right after her wedding, and her husband went to war. She was brought up a Jew, but always called herself 'secular,' rather than orthodox or traditional.
"In Israel, everyone at age 18, goes into the army," she said, "boys and girls alike. My youngest son is myopic. I wanted him to stay out, and be a conscientious objector, but he went in anyway. I'm pro-people. I can't stand what the occupation is doing to us."
Lucy Talgieh is a Palestinian Christian, from Bethlehem. "In 1989, there were soldiers all over our house. They arrested my brothers, and beat my dad who had a stroke, then passed away. Four years later, my brothers returned. Freedom fighters were hiding in the church; people were under curfew. A sniper killed my 16-year-old cousin. I thought there might be a reason, so I went into religious studies, but it was not a religious conflict, but the occupation. I needed more information. I tried to find a youth center, a grass-roots organization on non-violence."
She wanted time to get to know others, but could not forget her dad or her cousins. "Dialog is very important for me," Talgieh said. "I'm not optimistic, but have a hope. Without hope, we can't continue. Peace is the only way, peace and nonviolence."
After these initial talks, some in the audience asked questions, asking if Palestine were made a state, would the fighting stop?
"Part of the struggle is against the military occupation," Muthaffar replied. "If it ends, the people will feel free. I don't think they'll want to fight," Chaitin added, "Israel has a peace treaty with Egypt and Jordan. I'm a social psychologist in conflict resolution. Most of the violence will stop, but there will still be violence on the fringes."
Another question asked what percentage of Jews are orthodox and excused from military duty?
"I don't know," Chaitin replied, "but 70 percent of Israelis are 'traditional.'"
Another question asked, considering coming from different communities, were the speakers angry, or could they dream?
"We are angry," Chaitin again said, replying. "There is anger, and a lot of deep despair among Israeli Jews. Living constantly in a war gets you down. They get angry. It is ongoing trauma. We hope because people can't live without hope."
"There is only one park where children can play," Talgieh added. "You feel that you're living in a prison. We have to transform anger, to get rid of it. As far as dreaming is concerned, I'm a dreamer."
"Any people who are paying taxes for services they don't get, are going to be angry," Muthaffar said. "One little girl said, 'I want Israelis to want me.'"
A questioner asked, "What are some of the efforts for a peace movement? Are they organized?"
"On the Israeli side, there is Other Voice; we meet once a week," Chaitin answered.
"We are not allowed into Gaza, but we talk with them, with a speaker-phone. Work is going on, but it takes time." Talgieh said adding, "It's not that easy to get together, but the peace movement is growing."
The speakers were asked about the role of religion.
"No religion," was Talgieh's response. "When you get two Jews together in a room, you get three opinions," Chaitin replied.
"Do the governments listen to the people about peace," came the next question?
Talgieh answered this with, "I'm not pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian. I am for justice."
As was the entire audience, to judge by its enthusiastic response to these three articulate, caring women. Let there be peace.
The next session on Global Leadership will be Feb. 20-22, 2009. John Snow of the Camden Conference said Brent Scocroft would be the featured speaker.
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