Still it's not as if the basic underlying tensions and problems haven't been predicted for a long time. In 1947 As the Arabs see the Jews appeared in The American Magazine written by King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.
Whether you agree with his point of view or not it's important to realize that even 60 years ago the basic equation of inevitably arising tensions was well understood. King Abdullah ends the article by posing a rhetorical question to the American readers:
I have the most complete confidence in the fair-mindedness and generosity of the American public. We Arabs ask no favours. We ask only that you know the full truth, not half of it. We ask only that when you judge the Palestine question, you put yourselves in our place.
What would your answer be if some outside agency told you that you must accept in America many millions of utter strangers in your midst—enough to dominate your country—merely because they insisted on going to America, and because their forefathers had once lived there some 2,000 years ago?
Our answer is the same.
And what would be your action if, in spite of your refusal, this outside agency began forcing them on you?
Ours will be the same.
2 comments:
I've been asking that question for some time - good to know that better minds have asked it before me.
That doesn't mean that Israel should be shut down (can you close a country?), but there has to be some understanding of what it's like for the other side. And surely some sort of co-existence with respect for the changing reality is possible?
I don't know if seeing the opposing viewpoint can solve the problem. But not seeing the other group's will stop any meaningful progress.
Here's hoping people empathize and try and understand the other's viewpoint more often.
Then maybe both sides can find a reality they can live with.
Post a Comment