Israel and Palestine, a people engaged in a spiral of violence

The Financial Times offered this article on January 6th.

FT.com / UK – Israel’s self-defeating Gaza offensive.

I found this article insightful insofar as it describes in detail the spiral of violence that the current Israeli offensive is setting off. In the article the author describes the perspective that was shared to him by an educated Palestinian man who voted for Hamas:

 

“Because every day, the Israelis find a different way to say ‘fuck you’,” he told me. “By voting for Hamas, I’m saying ‘fuck you back’,” I laughed at the time. But – stripped of all diplomatic and strategic rationales – that seems like a good summery of the tragic and self-defeating logic that lies behind the fighting in Gaza.

 

The scenario that this conflict is developing into was described as the Spiral of Violence by Archbishop Helder Camara. The Spiral of Violence became the title of a book written by Archbishop Camara of Brazil in 1971. In this book, Archbishop Camara describes the attraction of violence in this way:

 

Now the egoism of some privileged groups drives countless human beings into this sub-human conditions, where they suffer restrictions, humiliations, injustices; without prospect, without hope, their condition is that of slaves.

This established violence, this violence No. 1, attracts violence No 2, revolt, either of the oppressed themselves or of youth, firmly resolved to battle for a more just and human world.

Scripture is a testament to an alternative logic. In the letter to the Romans Paul discusses this alternative wisdom to the early Christian community of Rome who is struggling with the established violence of the Roman Empire:

 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12: 17-21

 

In direct observance of this Gospel call to “live peaceably with all,” the Passionist JPIC Office of North America is working with Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) to urge the U.S. Congress to support a ceasefire. Please help us overcome this evil with good by adding your voice to the CMEP action alert.

 

Peace,

John