When we talk about Israel in Palestine conflict, we can go a long way back. I had been watching a TV series called Moises y los diez mandamientos (Moses and the Ten Commandments) and now I am watching its sequel, La tierra prometida (The Promised Land).
Both depict the biblical and human version of the Jewish story of slavery in Egypt, the 40 years in the Sinai and now the process of entering the Promise land. Although Canaan was offered to Abraham by God, it was a land already occupied by some of his descendants and others.
Again, when Israel became a country in 1948, the land was already full of diverse people including Jews, Christians and Muslims. In essence, it was a repeat of the biblical story.
Ever since the Jews first arrived to claim the Promise Land and since, in modern times, they achieved independence, there has been constant conflict. Yet, the support for Israel in the last 76 years has been unwavering by the World War II Allies because of Jewish suffering under the Nazis and the fact that it is an oasis in the Middle East of democratic institutions as intended.
For the Arab community, the partition of Palestine was an intractable stumbling block and a deep wound that has not healed. This caused Israel to fight 7 official wars and numerous operations to remain alive as a nation.
During the same period, the Middle East became a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalists that “oppose infiltration of secular and Westernizing influences and seek to institute Islamic law, including strict codes of behavior.” They have employed terrorism as a weapon in the absence of enough military power to change things. America has been a primary victim of that terrorism. It has left an indelible mark on our history, our politics and our national spirit.
Since the founding of Israel, there has been a “natural” desire to go to its aid whenever the country is threatened. October 7, 2023 was no different in this regard.
Once again, the historical “bad actors” in the Middle East surfaced as terrorists and violent adversaries, and not as defenders of justice. It is more of the same terror that has previously brought condemnation.
Having said that, it is noted that there is a new sense, especially on the part of those with little memory of living Middle East history, that we should treat the affected communities differently from the divisive leadership that reigns in the region. That view appears to go directly to the resulting human suffering caused by politics and governments.
That conversation is being played out in the United States and in the world as we approach national elections. Activists in places like college campuses seek to move the political needle their way and yet, the issue is not about which side wins, but about human rights.
The majority of young people from our new generation are looking beyond competing issues and appear to want our leaders to address our sense of humanity in the face of so much death and destruction. They do not want to entertain the radical conservative policies of an Israeli government that seems out of control, nor the Islamic Jihad of Hamas that only kills people.
What they want to see is the protection of the innocent and helpless victims of political agendas and negotiated machinations. They want us to stop the killing and look for ways to live together.
Perhaps this is naive. But it is the growing sentiment in America.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
