February 13, 2007--A Modest Suggestion
The Israelis say they want some sort of peace with the Palestinians, but they sure have a strange way of showing it.
The latest incident to set emotions boiling is the repair work the Israelis have been carrying out on a 150-foot walkway adjacent to the Western or Wailing Wall. The problem of course is that the Wall and thus the walkway are right next to the mount on which sits the Al Aksa Mosque, the third holiest site to Muslims who believe that Mohammed rose to heaven from that very spot. But then Jews believe that the Mosque sits on top of the remains of their ancient Temple.
Thus anything that Jews or the Palestinians do in the area is as complicated as anything ever has been in human history. Ariel Sharon, for example, set foot on top of the Mount back in 2000 and that alone was enough to set off the Second Intifada. There is thus concern that the walkway repairs may set off another one. In fact, over the weekend there was bloodshed when Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli police. But the work continues. (NY Times article linked below.)
The Israelis have the upper hand in the situation because they captured the West Bank and all of Jerusalem some years ago. They can therefore do anything they please in any of this territory—it is a classic case of might making a version of right. In this context it is important to point out that the walkway is to provide access to the Mosque area for Israeli tourists—so they can have a clear view of all the sights.
A couple of questions—how essential in the first instance is it for Israeli tourists to be able to tour an area so sacred to Muslims? Then, when the situation was reversed, before Israel captured this territory, how did Jews feel about Palestinians controlling access to their Wailing Wall? Not too good as I recall.
So, here’s my suggestion: why not carry out whatever has to be done to excavate, repair, or whatever in that contested holy area as a joint venture? What would it cost the Israelis if they were to invite the Palestinians into the process—work out plans together, carry out the work side-by-side, maybe build a little trust?
If there is any interest at all in figuring out how to live together isn’t it incumbent on the more powerful Israelis to act magnanimously? Hasn’t that always been the way to make a successful peace after an endless war?
The latest incident to set emotions boiling is the repair work the Israelis have been carrying out on a 150-foot walkway adjacent to the Western or Wailing Wall. The problem of course is that the Wall and thus the walkway are right next to the mount on which sits the Al Aksa Mosque, the third holiest site to Muslims who believe that Mohammed rose to heaven from that very spot. But then Jews believe that the Mosque sits on top of the remains of their ancient Temple.
Thus anything that Jews or the Palestinians do in the area is as complicated as anything ever has been in human history. Ariel Sharon, for example, set foot on top of the Mount back in 2000 and that alone was enough to set off the Second Intifada. There is thus concern that the walkway repairs may set off another one. In fact, over the weekend there was bloodshed when Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli police. But the work continues. (NY Times article linked below.)
The Israelis have the upper hand in the situation because they captured the West Bank and all of Jerusalem some years ago. They can therefore do anything they please in any of this territory—it is a classic case of might making a version of right. In this context it is important to point out that the walkway is to provide access to the Mosque area for Israeli tourists—so they can have a clear view of all the sights.
A couple of questions—how essential in the first instance is it for Israeli tourists to be able to tour an area so sacred to Muslims? Then, when the situation was reversed, before Israel captured this territory, how did Jews feel about Palestinians controlling access to their Wailing Wall? Not too good as I recall.
So, here’s my suggestion: why not carry out whatever has to be done to excavate, repair, or whatever in that contested holy area as a joint venture? What would it cost the Israelis if they were to invite the Palestinians into the process—work out plans together, carry out the work side-by-side, maybe build a little trust?
If there is any interest at all in figuring out how to live together isn’t it incumbent on the more powerful Israelis to act magnanimously? Hasn’t that always been the way to make a successful peace after an endless war?
posted by Steven Zwerling at
11:22 AM
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