In hope of peace
Middle East can transcend chaos
Iam writing in response to the Perspective section guest column, “The coming year: more of the same,” that expresses the view that the new year offers no hope of peace and prosperity for the world in general and the Middle East in particular.
The new year does bring new hope. Israelis, more than any other people, believe this to their core. Despite being surrounded by enemies in a region steeped in chaos and war, Israelis dare to hope that this year will be better than the last.
Honestly, Israelis have to be the most hopeful people among us. Even Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah,” means “The Hope.” This is why Israelis are bound by a common belief that no situation is so dire that all hope is lost.
This core value of the Jewish nation extends to one of my favorite holidays—Hanukkah. Hanukkah is about hope. Hope that light triumphs over evil. The message of Hanukkah can be applied to each and every person on the Earth—hope for the light to bring peace and joy over the darkness of evil.
The hope in the triumph of good was the reason Israel negotiated to establish the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s. On its establishment, the Palestinian Authority was to govern most of the Gaza Strip and the town of Jericho in the Jordan Valley. In return, they agreed that a Palestinian police force would be established in order to maintain internal security and prevent hostile acts of terror against Israel by the Palestinian population under its authority, with Israel retaining overall authority for security and defense regarding all external threats, and particularly the safety of the Israeli settlers.
Hope is also why Israel gave away the Gaza land in 2005. At that time, Israel envisioned a happily ever after ending for the Palestinians. It was a hope and belief that they would be able to take the infrastructure left for them by Israeli entrepreneurs to become another Middle Eastern success story.
Unfortunately, the triumph of hope does not always produce the triumph of peace.
Hamas, with the blessing of the Palestinian Authority, seized power with a vow to never end “Armed resistance” to eradicate the “Zionist entity” through jihad. Any infrastructure that was left by Israelis is now used to house rocket-launching pads and conceal terror tunnels into Israel.
However, Israel’s longing for peace is not a foolish hope. Israel has come a long way during the past 67 years, having forged peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, which was considered unthinkable 40 years ago.
Israel also has excellent relationships with China, India, Russia, and all the former East European countries; two decades ago, Israel had no diplomatic relationship with these countries.
Israel offers the world hope through the advancements it has pioneered in the areas of medicine, technology and agriculture. As the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is the beacon of hope that shines the light of political freedom, human rights and economic prosperity for all of the inhabitants of the region.
These are critical components to bring peace to that part of the world and enhance our security at home.
Harry L. Ehrenberg lives in Little Rock.