Every time someone writes a diary about Israel and Palestine the fur (and troll ratings) are sure to follow. I've read a few diaries and comments where arguments broke out over whether it is racist to call someone a Zionist.
I thought about that and it occurred to me that I'm a Zionist - even though I disapprove of many of Israel's actions vis-a-vis the Palestinians. And I'm also a Palestine-ist (if there is such a term) even though I don't admire everything that's been done on that side of the dispute.
If a Zionist is one who believes the Jewish people should have a homeland in part of what was Palestine, then count me a Zionist. You don't have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. Winston Churchill used to say he was "an old Zionist" and the last I checked he wasn't Jewish. In 1954,
Churchill stated:
I am a Zionist, let me make that clear. I was one of the original ones after the Balfour Declaration and I have worked faithfully for it . . . . I think it is a most wonderful thing that this community should have established itself so effectively, turning the desert into fertile gardens and thriving townships, and should have afforded refuge to millions of their co-religionists who suffered so fearfully under Hitler, and not only under Hitler, persecution. I think it is a wonderful thing.
I'm pretty sure most of us are Zionists in that we believe in the right of Israel to exist in peace even as we disagree on what its boundaries should be and what its actions should be toward the Palestinians. And aren't most of us also Palestineists in that we believe the Palestinians have a right to live in peace in their country even as we disagree on issues like borders, Jewish settlers, the role of Hamas, etc.
If Sharon and Abbas can sit down to discuss peace in a friendly and amicable atmosphere, then surely we can tone down the harsh rhetoric and attacks on each other over this issue. Admittedly, the road ahead for Sharon and Abbas (and their successors) will be difficult. But if they can be optimistic that a solution can be found, then who are we to disagree.
I pray for peace and reconciliation even while I know that it won't be easy to achieve. I agree with President Abbas that the goal of both Israelis and Palestinians must be
[A] just peace; a peace that will finally end decades of war, violence and occupation; a peace that will mean the establishment of a Palestinian state or an independent, democratic state of Palestine side-by-side with the state of Israel . . . .
And I agree with Prime Minister Sharon's words earlier this week that
It is not in our interest to govern over the Palestinians. We would like the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state, a democratic state with territorial contiguity in Judea and Samaria, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. We seek to rebuild trust and respect, the dignity and human rights of all people.
Words must, of course, be followed by deeds. But what is absolutely required is a fresh and open attitude - and a heartfelt commitment and determination to achieve peace. We can do our small part by lowering the rhetoric and embracing the spirit of reconciliation.
In that spirit I say - I am a Zionist and a Palestineist!