It is often said that the Palestinians are the best educated group per capita among the Arab world. Why? And why are they not welcomed in any other Arab capital?
With all the news events happening currently, I thought I’d take again, a different spin on the situation. I’m not going to try to defend any position on either side, that’s done way too much in the media as they, the media, all search for headlines for their employer. In Israel, the ration of NGOs and International Journalists to citizens is probably just about one to oneג¦ So, at every corner you have a camera ready video instigator at the ready to spur on any event and get that all critical exclusive. Did you ever wonder about the camera angles? I’ve seen over 50 camera and journalists all lined up trying to catch one rock thrower and the image is always one guy throwing a rock against the green background of Israeli soldiersג¦. Really, stop and think about thatג¦ Every day, every hour, every yearג¦ nonstop. Can the Media change their stripes any better than a Zebra?
Ok, so the headline, love and a new future for the Palestinians, what am I talking about? This is an appeal to the educated population of the Palestinian people living in the country of Israel. Now is the time to consider that the many years of hate have brought nothing. I suggest trying the concept of Love. Really, sounds stupid and ridiculous, I know, but after sublimating or reducing the self’s ego of being right, on both sides by the way, one can consider the love that can exist for each other. One can begin to see how things could be totally amazing here in this area, better than anything we’ve ever experienced.
It is well known that the Arab world with years of endless hate spoken to their people have not educated their populations, increased their standard of living, and in fact have created the current crisis we see all over the Arab world today. If just one leader would stand up or the people would stand up and shout loudly that they want an end to Hate speech and a start of Love speech, the world would change overnight. Leaders need to start to put the word Love in their speeches. Even if they don’t believe it, eventually the use of the word will begin to alter reality.
When I go into the local shops and see my Arab friends, we hug, and chat about holidays, family, and general things. Every time there is an upsurge in violence, it strains the interaction as the unspoken situation creates suspicion and distrust as we each size each other up to see if anything has changed in our mutual love for each other as human beings who share the same love of every human being. But we still hug and march forward.
I ask the Palestinians, and Arabs in general if they truly believe Israel, Israeli’s, or the Jews are trying to capture or ban access to the Temple Mount or the Al Aksa mosque? Really? If you’re honest, you know that if Israel wanted to take over any country or small piece of land, do you think it couldn’t do that? In actual fact, in under ten seconds Israel could do that, but Israel respects the religious desires of all people, not just the Muslims, and therefore will always fight for an equitable solution and access, shared with respect to these areas.
Don’t be fooled by your leaders that continue to use you for their own destructive goals and ends. Look at Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Labia, Sudan, Yemen, on and on and on, the list goes. Do you want to become another battle ground? Or do you want to become a paradise that everybody in the world will want to visit and take part in the Love that pervades our every day.
There is no doubt in my mind that we can live in this mode, and grow our region like no other. You must see how Israel has grown to become a beacon for the world in so many ways. The Palestinian people can choose to love and join this powerful force or Love, Peace and Growth, or they can, again, choose to follow small minded hateful leaders that will lead them, their children and their aspirations for a wonderful meaning full life down the same path that has led to the destruction of so many other nations and peoples.
I ask you to please do your own research into the real history and truth of the region, don’t take some person’s word for what was in the past. With today’s fast and easy access to information and events, the opportunity is ripe for fast course correction. It is easy to see what Israel was a hundred or so years ago, and before that. The history is there, and it is obvious to any honest person, but that’s not the point. The history can be argued back 4000 years, to what end? The point is that we’re here today at another crossroad, and once again, the Israeli’s, Jews, are offering Peace, Love, and a wonderful life, but they/we will not enter into such a relationship without a reciprocal partner. You would not marry a person that planned to murder you after you said “I do”, would you? Neither Israel will just accept anything but an honest partner, in Arbic, Hebrew, and English. The days of speaking in Arabic about hate and love in English will not work, and have proven unsuccessful.
I want to say that we can live here in an amazing land, filled with respect for each other’s traditions, space, culture, food, celebrations, work, and destiny. (In many neighborhoods this is already the reality.) Why not try? Israel is filled with Arab and Muslim towns, so why the insistence on a “Jew Free” Arab future town? See? That already starts the discussion off on the wrong foot.
Imagine an Arab leader saying, “We are going to commit to a new path, one filled with Love, Trust, and Sincere respect for each other’s future peaceful growth. The Jews and Israeli’s will be our friend and business partners of the future. We’re going to rebuild this region like no other. I’ll set a goal of 100% GDP rise for my people by 2025. This will of course have to be based on a rule of law that includes individual rights, true freedom of the press, and respect for and love for each other. Pretty easy if you choose that path. Most of the rest of the world have been living this for many years already and doing so successfully. It won’t be easy, but an easy life doesn’t bring about true happiness. Better work hard to achieve the beauty, just like in child birth, that’s not easy, but the reward is a miracle and beautiful.
I say, we, Israeli’s and Palestinians can be the leaders for the African Nations, as well as for the broader Muslim and Arab world. However, in the end, it is our choice.
I wish us all a life filled with love of each other, our children, your children, and opportunities for a future that you can only imagine if you open up your heart to the love that resides there and is waiting to burst out. It is a lot easier to love than to hate, and all those years of hate are just waiting to break free and transition into love. It only takes one candle to light up a dark room. Let Love spark your dark room and brighten our lives. Dare to try it, you might like itג¦Demand your leaders try it tooג¦ In the end, they follow you, not the other way aroundג¦