We spent the day in Samaria, in Palestine, in the West Bank. This was not the first time we have been to Palestine, but it was the first time we have delved into 21st century life in Palestine. We spent the morning with an Anglican priest, an Arab Christian, who told us of the work of his church.
In our press the Palestinians are portrayed as the bad guys and the Israelis as the good guys. The reality is not so simple. It’s not black and white but many shades of grey. I think the reason there is no peace is because neither side really wants it. They each just want the other out. As you go through the checkpoint into Palestine there is a sign that says no Israelis allowed. Enter for fear of your life. A sign threatening Palestinians is visible as you return to Israel. Even now as we return to the college we encounter a make-shift checkpoint in a stretch of highway. As the woman who is traveling with me said, “They are each so busy trying to one-up the other that there can be no reconciliation.”
There is no easy answer. Several things are clear to me, though. One: the situation is not as clear-cut as portrayed in the media. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians have valid complaints and valid needs. Both make the situation difficult. Two: Ordinary Palestinians like you and me have a very tough life. Three: I take my freedoms for granted–freedom to worship how, where and who I choose; freedom to live and work where I choose; freedom to travel and move around as I choose; freedom to read what I choose; and freedom to say whatever I choose. Many are not so fortunate.
Looking Out Seeing Within 