Copyright keenesentinel
The diplomats and politicians may sign a cease-fire agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, but that doesn’t end the pain. The pain lasts for as long as the victims are living. The pain is indelible and is not a foundation for peace. Saed Abu Aita, 44, said, “There’s nothing to be happy about. My two daughters were killed, my home was destroyed, and my health has deteriorated.” That is common in Gaza, and why violence doesn’t solve the problem of people living together. Mr. Aita’s suffering is not going to heal in a couple of months or years or ever. How do you not hate the people who destroyed your life? Because the Israelis and Palestinians fail to see their shared humanity, they engage in short-sighted, barbaric violence which cripples any communication and understanding while promoting distrust and hatred. Rather than build trust, the combatants promote hatred by slaughtering innocent people. Those feelings of hatred are bubbling beneath the surface and have an odds-on favorite of emerging in the future as more violence. Real peace comes when two parties invest in their essential humanity over all other considerations and are willing to share their common needs in place of one party giving up their needs to the benefit of the other. Using a mathematical metaphor, there has to be equal amounts on both sides of the equation for it to balance. Neither side is willing to gamble the trust necessary, and the foundation of peace is trust. Yay, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Otherwise, you end up, as Confucius observed: “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves” — one for your enemy and one for yourself.” JACK COEY, Keene
