Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. We have many blessings for which to be thankful. At the top of the list this morning is the news that the cease fire between Israel and Hamas seems to be holding. Barely three weeks ago we were celebrating our ride and the mission of peace that our friends at the Arava Institute embody every day, but hardly had we parted in Eilat and the region erupted into violence. Such a mix of emotions. Certainly no nation, no people, should be expected to tolerate a rain of rockets showered on them such as that being sent from Gaza. Why Israel's response is called an offensive operation is beyond me. While the conditions in Gaza are oppressive, I do not understand and cannot condone apologists for terror who claim the perpretrators are driven to violence by their circumstances. We are human beings, and we have the power to choose our actions - terrorists and their leaders are responsible for their actions. I believe that the vast majority of Israelis want peace... and most recognize that peace will only come when Palestinians are afforded the rights of statehood. But there must be partners for peace... and where are they??? With this cease fire, Israel's statements are of hope for calm and peace - while Hamas, and indeed it seems the only members of the Arab world willing to speak out, talks of victory in its drive to defeat Israel - which means not peaceful co-existence, but anhilation of the Jewish state. There is no moral equivilance here. Israel brings massive force to bear, but it is not driven by a desire to eliminate a people - but rather to be left in peace. Where are the voices of moderation?? Where are the voices of peace? May the words that emanate from the Arava Institute be an example to the leadership on both sides - though I suspect that peace will come incrementally through the types of relationships fostered at the Arava. I fear we do not have the type of leadership that will take this path.
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To our friends and supporters of the Arava Institute,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those in the region who find
themselves in danger as a result of the violence which has erupted
between Israel and Gaza. We hope for a quick end to the conflict and a
return to quiet and safety for all. This renewed cycle of violence
emphasizes the need for an alternative non-violent method to resolve the
conflict between the peoples in the region. Though peace agreements
seem like a distant dream right now, the only real hope for long-term
peace and security is dialogue. The Arava Institute - its staff,
faculty, students, and alumni - are dedicated to building bridges of
trust in the region which can prevent future conflagrations.
Leaders
of the region should take an example from our Palestinian, Jordanian,
Israeli, and international students. Even during times of crisis like
these, they come together in friendship to air their differences and
build trust by seeking that which unites and not that which divides.
Through this crisis, as well as others in the past, our students meet on
the lawn in front of their dormitories and exchange words, not bullets
and missiles. It was Hubert Humphrey who said, "Peace is not passive; it
is active. Peace is not appeasement; it is strength. Peace does not
happen; it requires work."
The conversations are often difficult
and emotional, but they model a real alternative. We know that
inevitably, both sides will seek an end to the fighting, bury their
dead, tend to their wounded and begin to rebuild. We hope and pray that
this will be the last eruption of violence to darken the skies of the
Middle East and that the leaders of the region will explore new
alternatives to peacefully resolve the conflict. The Arava Institute
will continue to stand as a beacon of hope and to light the way.
The
Arava staff, faculty, and students remain safe on Kibbutz Ketura. We
thank you for your concern and kind wishes during this time.
David Lehrer
Executive Director
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
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And so I close this ride's blog in an uneasy state of mind. The memories of the ride are warm. As with my first ride, the experience was spectacular. The north was beautiful, and the desert was breathtaking. I am eager to return... probably in 2014. But along with the glow of the ride is the anguish of the recent violence. I believe that sanity will ultimately prevail, but I fear there will be much more pain before it does. As we give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, my prayers are for peace in the Land.
I imagine I will post more thoughts on this blog from time to time, but with these lines I close the 2012 Israel Ride. See you next time.
L'hitra-ote
Lester |
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