“No people anywhere in the world would accept being expelled en masse from their own country; how can anyone require the people of Palestine to accept a punishment which nobody else would tolerate?”- Bertrand Russell, 1970
"I believe that in the long run, separation between Israel and the Palestinians is the best solution for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
--Yitzhak Rabin
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after reading statement to the press during the closing moments of the Red Sea Summit in Aqaba, Jordan Jun 4, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse
Listen up. The conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is perhaps the most intractable problem in the world. And it is tied to other conflicts as well, such as Islamic terrorism as manifested by organizations like Al Queda.
A few years ago, it appeared that Ariel Sharon, Israel's former general and prime minister from 2001-2006, was making overtures toward Palestinian leadership to move a peace process forward (although the Israeli right wing and old-guard Palestinians swore he had other motives). However, on January 4, 2006, he suffered a stroke and lay in an Israeli hospital in a vegetative state. Nonetheless, it seemed everyone was hoping he would recover and improve Israeli-Palestinian relations.
It was during this time that The Daddy wrote this poem about Sharon and two people engaged in a confrontation with seemingly no end:
We're All in Jerusalem Now
by Mac Walton
I’m in Jerusalem.
Here,golden grains of sand once dripped from the hour-glass of time
But now splatter blood against a wailing wall.
Here, religions, like wild horses, mount each other
And commit assault against humanity.
Here, Jews with bloodshot eyes and contorted faces, scream
“This land is ours! Our bible says so. And if not before,
It will be so by right of possession.”
Here, Palestinians with bloodshot eyes strap bombs around their waist
Shout, “Long live Palestine and implode much too soon
For an amorphous Palestinian state and seven virgins in heaven.
(2)
I’m in Jerusalem.
Here, Sharon, the Prime Minister, the ultimate godfather, lies on
Lies his back in a hospital several deep breaths from death.
Here, Jews and non-Jews the world over (and even a few Palestinians)
Pin their hopes on an old general who once murdered Palestinians like a Tiger stalks and kills gazelles.
Here, all pray the Palestinian blood spiller lying prone and in pain
With blood seeping from his brain, recover,change spots and
Perform the ultimate miracle:
Rise above day-to-day political opportunism, body-count
Score-keeping written in blood and bring peace between
Two people who only know war.
(3)
I’m in Jerusalem
Where Palestinians and Israels meet history, where
The hour-glass drips blood, where everyone
Kneels to pray, where even the godless dare not say:
"God help us. We're all in Jerusalem now."
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8 comments:
MacDaddy, you're quite a poet. You've eloquently expressed a sad, sad situation. Thank you.
I agree with Stimpson, is there a hope that something could change that situation over there. It is so incredibly sad it is hard to even watch.
Stimpson: Thanks for the compliment. And, yes, it's a very sad situation. And try speaking the truth about it like President Carter, one of heroes, did. Watch how you'll get attacked. I don't think things will change until courageous leaders from both sides rise up and say enough.
Somebody: Yes, something needs to happen. I know U.S. leaders need to stand to both Israel and Palestinians. Also, Palestinians need more help with non-military assistance. I know Obama offered some money. But what they need is assistance with economic development. Unemployment is extremely high, especially among the men.
Armanda Herbert: Thanks for becoming a follower. Looking forward to checking by from time to time and making comments. Blessings.
A very nicely written commentary on a situation that is still not easily understood or solved.
XO: Thanks for becoming a follower of daddyBstrong. I know you've been coming for a while and commenting too. Looking forward to your continued participation. Blessings.
We are already the landlords on the banks of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and will be taxing ourselves to support the infrastructure there for decades, thanks to the recklessness adventurism of Busheney. Now we are on the verge of becoming the absentee landlords of the Israeli Settlers on the West Bank of the Jordan River? How many Americans want to fund this anymore?
I say we stand to get a better R.O.I. funding that other failing state, Pakistan!
Stimpson: I forgot to mention that this was a very hard poem to write...With each line I wrote, I began to feel sadder and sadder.
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