The J-street conference on Middle East peace titled, "Giving voice to our values" ended yesterday. As someone who is researching the issue of Israel-Palestine issue, I was amazed at the variety of voices that spoke out almost unanimously to solve this decades old issue.
As I traveled from Columbia, Maryland from my uncle's home to Washington DC, several questions popped up in my head. My aunt, who is a bit skeptical about anything to do with the word "Jew" in it asked me quite blutly "Why are you hanging out with those people ". I was quite taken aback with this question, and tried my best, to respond, as politically correctly as possible. "Well, we need to talk to everyone, especially with those you disagree with", i pointed out to her. "And besides, you make peace only with your enemies, not your friends". She wasnt convinced. And this was the line of thinking of someone who had worked with a Jewish boss for over 12 years and she herself described her relationship with him as "superb". What could is say ? At least, my cousin sister and brother did not share her opinion. Nor did many of my Muslim friends and relatives, who knew that the only way to resolve this issue is to take the leap of faith, believe that there is genuine intent to solve the problem and move on with life.
The belief that the status-quo is not sustainable is slowly spreading. Even Israel is waking up to this reality and if the Arab revolutions taking place across the Arab region are any indication, this will for ever change the nature of politics in the region. The Israelis are aware of this too.
As Mona Eltahawy, the well known blogger and media commentator pointed out, one cannot rule out another mass uprising in the Arab world for the Palestinians. And this time, it may be about the dignity of the people who have been enslaved in Gaza and treated as second class citizens. Demographic imbalance cannot be used as an excuse to mis-treat Palestinians, she added.
The discussions, both from those working with the Obama administration, as represented by Ambassador Dennis Ross, who spoke on the last day, as well as those such as Roger Cohen, Columnist for NYT, pointed out the need for movement on this issue. Everyone agreed that the time has come to solve this issue, once and for all.
When the conference finished and i headed home, i stopped by a friend's home for a quick chat. My former class-mate from graduate school, Steph, a reformed Jew, who believed that J-street was just a propaganda machine, which was not sincere in its claims, and was just a pro-Israeli organisation. This cynicism is also a part of the equation. Cynicism that Israel is not sincere, which is partly true. Cynicism that nothing will ever come out of the situation, and there is no chance for peace to succeed.
While i am still trying to grapple with these issues myself, i do believe that there is a peaceful solution to this issue. I tried to explain that just because J-street was pro-Israeli did not make it evil. I believe they have a nuanced position on many issues, and i believe they are progressive, authentic and sincere in what they say. There is sense in pushing these progressive, left leaning organisations and offering them support, in spirit and otherwise.
With elections coming up in September in Palestine, and the need for reform becoming a war-cry in the region, those who could not deliver cannot stay in power for longer. It is definitely the time for change, it seems.
One could sense the energy in the air, with thousands of pro-peace activists exchanging ideas, opinion as well as arguing with each other about the manner in which peace can be brought to the region.
While the larger questions remain up in the air, and who will win the battle for ideas will be determined in a few months or perhaps years; No matter who wins, one can only hope that sanity and peace prevails. As far as i can see, there is no other alternative to peaceful co-existence.
