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One major topic is Zionism. The Christian Zionist is a theological and political movement that embraces the goal to occupy the whole of Israel and usher in the reign of the second coming of Christ. In this extreme form, it places emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ’s love and justice today. This position of Zionism is becoming a critical detriment to a just peace within Palestine and Israel. Sabeel rejects Zionist doctrines which undermine the biblical message of peace and justice while advancing a form of racial exclusivity which perpetuates war. They are committed to the power of non-violent resistance to defeat the occupation and attain a just and lasting peace. Sabeel has developed a road map which has been presented to both the Israeli and the Palestinian governments for implementation in 2005 of positive elements that must be acknowledged. Its resolutions would result in ending the Occupation which includes all the Palestinian territories conquered by Israel in the 1967 War. Within this resolution, the Saudi Arabia initiative has called for the “acceptance of Israel as a neighbor by the Arab states.” Another of the potentially positive elements in the Road Maps in the presence of a Quartet of power, namely: the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States which is aimed at not leaving the U.S. as the only arbitrator with the two sides. In the past, Israel has been able to put pressure on the American administration through its friends in Congress, the pro-Israel lobby and the American Christian Zionists who number in the tens of millions and who raise huge funds for Israel. Sharon has been talking about a Palestinian state recently but his plans envisage only a small area of approximately 42% of historic Palestine that existed before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, which certainly does not fit the criteria of “an independent and viable state…” The Road Map also addresses the necessity for an enforcement mechanism without which would simply provide for a “monitoring mechanism.” Sabeel’s position is to welcome the Road Map as offered by the Quartet for implementation since they are certain that Israel will do its best to change or even derail it as they succeeded in the past, to obstruct the Olso Peace Process and blamed the Palestinians for its failure. The Palestinians distrust the U.S. and Israel’s commitment to produce a just peace in Palestine. If they are assured that by 2005, the Road Map will lead to a viable, democratic, independent and sovereign Palestine state on all the territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 war and resolve the issues of Jerusalem refugees and settlements in accordance with U.N. resolutions, most Palestinians would enthusiastically support it. It is only then that hope will replace the present apathy and despair, and end the cycle of violence, because the prospect of a just peace which has been anticipated, will begin for all the people of the land. We are thankful for Sabeel, for without it, we would be saying with the two men on their way to Emmaus, Did you not hear all the things that have happened these past several days in Jerusalem? |
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