THE ENIGMA OF THE MIDDLE EAST A Measure of Success

by
Sharon Burde

January 1998 pp27-28

In September, 1993, many seasoned Middle East watchers were elated. Although the agreement may not have met their personal expectations, the Oslo Accords provided a framework for addressing coexistence that many of us feared we’d never see in our lifetimes. Breakthrough!

At the time one observer remarked to me, "Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (the Oasis of Peace) will be obsolete, unnecessary." I remember thinking at the time, "just the opposite".

Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is an intentional community, of Israeli citizens, Jewish and Palestinian, founded in 1978. It serves as the base for innovative interethnic educational activities. The only bilingual, bicultural Primary School is there as is the School For Peace, the outreach institute that has been bringing Palestinians and Jews together as peers for the past two decades. It was founded by people who acknowledged that Jews and Palestinians would live in the region forever and, they felt, would finally have to find some way to coexist. By living, working, educating children together and creating an environment for dialogue, Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is one of the few places in the Middle East where democratic practice is actually the norm in governance, education, administration, and all endeavors. It confronts the tough questions of majority-minority relations on a daily basis.

The reality is the Middle East is that Israelis and Palestinians live quite separately, but not equally. Although there have been some attempts to create joint ventures, the realities prevent most from materializing. Some leaders prefer the instability, which places them in the position of balance of power...power to disrupt, delay, destroy. Prime Minister Netanyahu has a world view, as many leaders do, that they can continue to dominate by force. His predecessors, Rabin and Peres had adopted the view that Israel’s best hope for peace and security is to have a stable Palestinian neighbor. Arafat decided that the best chance for a Palestinian state in his lifetime was to accept the existence of Israel. Yet, after decades and centuries of mistrust and worse, confidence building is slow, at best. Leaders signed the agreement, but the populace must implement it. Attitudinal change is slow.

In December, 1997, relations are at their nadir, leaders are avoiding joint meetings, discouragement prevails. Hope is scarce, yet it exists among those who have accepted the coexistence scenario. Achmad Hijazi, until recently General Secretary of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam and a facilitator in its School For Peace, recently wrote, "There is no alternative to optimism." "We need to learn a new language in the schools, to begin to speak about being neighbors, rather than enemies, about cooperation, rather than conflict."

What are the factors, in this environment of distrust, discouragement, despair, that still constitute progress, even inspire hope? Many things don’t work, but what does?
Perseverance.

Just convening workshops and dialogue groups is an act of conviction. When violence and closures disrupt the process, the participants themselves insist upon attending planned seminars, although the logistics are very difficult for all participants and facilitators.

Dialogue is the BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) . Palestinians want action. They want to improve their lives. Meeting with and confronting Israelis with their reality is one step, albeit small, towards progress. The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli projects they develop with partnering organizations will perpetuate contacts and establish future relationships.

During my visit in December 1997 there was a School For Peace workshop for 60 teenagers as well as a seminar for 40 teachers and facilitators at the Village. The students expressed more frustration, more extreme views than in the past, but they sat together expressing their opinions to each other, arguing, listening and being heard. They will take the experience back to their home communities. Questionaires and follow-up evaluations will measure results.
Creating Models.

Living and working in a bicultural community necessitates the development of new models, based on equality, for all the standard educational curriculum in the region is uninational. The models and their implementation process, such as joint and rotating Palestinian and Jewish leadership, use of both Hebrew and Arabic, and culturally sensitive curriculum development, are then available for examination and adaptation by other schools and institutions.
Future Vision.

The new head of the community, Rayek Rizek, told me, "We must anticipate our needs 10 and 20 years from now, have space for our children to build homes here." 20 years ago there were no homes; now there is a long waiting list for housing and they are talking about a third generation. Constructive coexistence is the only acceptable course.
Follow-up, follow-through.

In deeply rooted conflicts, there are no easy answers. Any incident has the potential to invoke fear and destroy progress. Nothing less than absolute commitment to continuing the dialogue will do. Organizations that endure, that are constantly questioning, learning, and evolving, that are reaching out to enlarge the moderate political center, defend human rights and civil rights, have long-term value and are essential to creating the building blocks of a stable society.

Sharon Burde is a former director of American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, the Oasis of Peace. 121 Sixth Ave., Ste 507, New York, NY 10013, USA. Tel: +1 212 226 9246, Fax: +1 212 226 6817, E-mail: afnswas@compuserve.com