Land disputes are all too common in this world. It's only been in the last couple of centuries that invisible political boundaries have come into such steadfast assurance of security for the people on the inside. The majority of land mass on our planet did not even have such a rigid system until the colonization and globalization efforts of the last three hundred years; and to consider the true age of the planet, and humanity's presence on the planet, that's a very short time to build those so-called barriers.
And it seems that though the intent may be all well and good, there is much more harm done than good. I consider the situation of the African continent - where most lived in tribal systems of self-government until the colonizing powers came in and took over. Now, where the borders of Ghana and Burkina Faso have been settled, parts of the Ewe and Akan tribes are now split among political boundaries and members of those groups are now divided. Likewise, to consider parts of Central and South America, where the Incas, Aztecs, Mayans, and a number of other groups had reign over large quantities - now is divided among many smaller government regions that mimic the original colonizing power. Even in our own national boundary, and smaller state boundaries, there used to be whole cultures and people-groups that were spread wide and far - now tossed to the literal way-side on land that is not their own or that they could have laid claim to.
But I digress - this blog is about my experience in Israel. Though I do admit, many of these things were on my mind while we were in Israel and Palestine, especially while hearing people on all sides of the situation speak - history continues to repeat itself with different names, regional differences, and circumstances. We are people who displace others, who reject hospitality and welcoming in the other when we need to claim space. Maybe it's more fair to say I am one who displaces others, who rejects hospitality and welcoming the other - because when have I ever offered a space at my table for my Hyde Park neighbors outside of the LSTC community?
Another digression. My apologies. The situation in Israel is complicated on many fronts - and it's important to make note that this region has not always been in conflict, especially not of the magnitude the last century has seen. I hope that I am somewhat correct in saying, and I really hope that if I am wrong, one of you will correct me so that I can be as honest as possible - in saying that one major root of the current conflict that results in human rights abuses, miscommunications, and violence is the claim to land.
After the understated devastation of the Holocaust in the 1930's and 1940's, the Jewish people were left without any sense of security. They were displaced, wandering, needing hospitality from the world's political nations - and not being offered any hands. They needed a place to be - to be free and not subject to any other horrendous and unspeakable injustices at the hand of the other. And so in 1948, the newly formed United Nations designated an area of what was then called Palestine to be the new state of Israel. Clearly based on the biblical heritage of the Jewish people, this area is the historical land mass of the covenant God made to Abraham in Genesis "you will have descendants more numerous than the stars, and your kingdom will be everything the light touches." (okay, that may be a slightly off translation of the language of the Lion King).
However, there were, and are, already people who lived there, and had lived there for generations upon generations. What were they supposed to do? They had the claim on the land as much as the newly appointed group appeared to have.
So who's land is it? The Palestinians? The Israelis? The United Nations'? God's?
The following map can be ordered from the ELCA's Peace Not Walls campaign, and is also available to view on the Peace Not Walls website, http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Peace-Not-Walls.aspx which I would encourage you all to look at for more information than I could possibly give you on the situation, even in forty-seven days.
This is the growing of the land known as the State of Israel, including settlements into the West Bank (which, as a side note, are illegal according to international law - an occupying territory cannot settle within that territory), and subsequently the dwindling claim of land for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza. The West Bank is so named from the time until 1967 when Jordan occupied that territory, being the area west of the Jordan River's banks.
We as a world of people have forgotten - this land, this earth we inhabit is not actually ours for the taking or destroying. We are to be stewards, keeping it cared for and healthy. Constant warfare at escalating levels, claiming pieces of dirt for one group over another, irresponsible habits of waste and consideration for future generations - this was not our intended path. We are also to be stewards of each other, giving fair and honest time to hear the other, see the other, love the other - despite whatever differences there may be. When one group decides it has standards of supremacy and figures out a way to subjugate the supposed lesser - the sight of humanity is lost.
God's covenant was for Abraham's children and the generations to come continues. We are all God's children - this earth is ours to care for, to share, to welcome, and be hospitable for. Our lifespans of 80ish years, are only a blink of an eye compared to the history and legacy that precedes us. What will be left for the coming generations? Will there be anything remnant of a covenant to have care and concern for?
Scripture for Today: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 1:8-12
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