| A Peacemaker’s Dilemma by Jonathan Kuttab Trump’s attack on Iran, dropping thirteen 30,000lb bombs plus 30 cruise missiles on three nuclear facilities alongside the arrogant declaration that “now is now the time for peace,” leaves me totally speechless and confused. I am left dumbfounded that he would follow this up by saying that if peace does not come soon he would hit many additional targets. Trump was no longer speaking of Iranians as being a great people who need only to give up plans for an atomic weapon, but he was now repeating accusations and using language that implies he wants regime change in Iran. His thanking Netanyahu, the Israeli military, his own military, and, by the way, also God “whom we all love,” was beyond surreal. I am confused because I don’t even know what to want, desire, or hope for anymore. This was a blatant act of aggression without even the pretense of being “preemptive” self defense. Trump is basically saying: I am powerful and I can do what I want, so the other side had better submit (“total surrender”) or face even worse punishment. This bombing was done in close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been saying basically the same thing. A friend of mine yesterday told me that he believes the very cruelty of the Gaza starvation mechanism and of the daily massacres of civilians seeking food is itself the message: “This is what we can and will do to anybody who opposes us, and the world will allow it.” We can get away with it because we are powerful. International Law, morality, public opinion, reputation, and conscience are all irrelevant. We are powerful and we can do whatever we want with utter impunity. In the face of this, what does one say, do, or even wish for? Do we want Iran to retaliate, hit American bases, close the Straits of Hormuz, or embark on the feared long fight with the suffering and destruction it necessarily entails? Do we want to see the US bogged down in another quagmire, like Afghanistan, Iraq or Vietnam, all on behalf of Israel, Zionism and its crazy leaders? Do we want smaller militia groups or individuals to start trouble in Iraq, Syria, the Gulf, or perhaps throughout the world targeting Israeli and US persons, corporations, and interests? Or, on the other hand, do we want Iran to collapse, surrender, let the US (and Israel) get away with it, and submit to future demands, humiliations, and subjugation under the threat of overwhelming force? Surely, that cannot be an outcome we favor. And what of the other Arab or Islamic countries and peoples? Must they give up any dreams of dignity, self-determination and democracy and submit to rulers who will do the bidding of Israel (and the US)? Do we accept that international law no longer means anything? That it does not apply, or worse, that it applies only to the weak with a clearly understood exception for the US and Israel? As Palestinians, do we accept that somehow this is the end of the struggle? Must we now submit to the three choices Israeli Minister Smotrich recently outlined for us: Accept Jewish supremacy in all of Palestine, immigrate, or die?! As a pacifist who eschews violence, what do I do with a bully who seems to successfully get away with bullying? The eternal temptation is to accept the logic of power and violence, to wonder how much punishment can be inflicted in retaliation. The airwaves are full of military analyses about missiles, interceptors, defensive and offensive capabilities, and we are drawn to follow that logic, which seems to be the only way to resist such dramatic and destructive policies. In the face of this, we need to assert that violence is not the answer, and that it ultimately will not work. Despite initial Israeli military successes, true security was not and cannot be achieved. By failing to address the fundamental injustices (occupation, apartheid, expulsion, annexation) hostility and enmity continues and public opinion among Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, Iranians, Yemenis, Arabs and Muslims continues and will mark the future of Israel in the area. If anything, public opposition to Israel and US policies have only grown throughout the world, even in the USA. Military power, however great, will not change that. What works is dialogue, cooperation, coexistence, real elections, justice, mutual respect, human rights and international law. While violence is tempting and seems to achieve immediate results, it is ultimately futile, counterproductive, and will only lead to more violence, destruction, suffering, hatred, and ongoing conflict. Massive global resistance is needed. Gulf states issued strong condemnations of Israel’s bombing of Iran. This is a big change from their opposition in 2017 to the JCPOA (“the Iran nuclear deal”). We need more European states recognizing Palestine and withholding weapons. We need electoral victories in the US to show the strength of peace among voters. We need real elections in the Arab world to strengthen our governance. Palestinians and progressive Israelis need to step up nonviolent resistance. The global boycott movement must build on the decision by Maersk this week to distance itself from Israeli weapons and isolate Israel economically. Christians must follow the historic statement decades in the making by the World Council of Churches this week which calls for an end to genocide and apartheid in Israel. And yes, we must continue our solidarity fasting because the starvation of Gaza relentlessly continues. For many, the thrust of this message might seem naive and weak, including to the victims of aggression and oppression who wonder what is the point of it all, and whether in our righteous desire not to submit to oppression we must pick up the gun and fight violence with our own violence. This we must not allow. After I wrote the above reflection, President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran that brought an end to the current round of fighting. We all hope that the ceasefire will hold, but we still need to make a clear distinction between a cessation of shooting and a true peace. I will therefore post this reflection now and send a second one by the weekend. (Hoping you do not mind hearing from me twice in one week). |
South Africa seeks justice for Gaza
I’m republishing this post from my friend, Dr Chandra Muzaffar – president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST). Chandra has been a long-term advocate for Palestine and is one of the best-informed people on the subject that I have ever met. Father Dave
