Peace, Now

by Burton Feinberg

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven … A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” So says the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Certainly, we know times of hate and war. But after a century of killing and incredible suffering in the Middle East – particularly in Iran, Gaza, Israel and Palestine – haven’t lessons been learned? Haven’t conclusions been made that there will be no victory, that there cannot be substantial change (peace) without compromise? Albert Einstein famously said that one definition of insanity is to continually do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. By that definition, the repeated conflicts in the Middle East are definitely insane, and basically unethical.

Obviously, solutions are not easy. Untold thousands of discussions and negotiations have been had among hundreds of brilliant thinkers. Still, lasting agreements have not been reached. But I, as a deeply concerned citizen of the world, refuse to abandon hope. What makes most sense to me is:

· An immediate, true ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, Iran, Lebanon and other volatile areas within the region;

· A massive humanitarian effort focused on the Gazan population;

· A two-state solution, or bi-national state or confederation that ends the occupation and grants both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs self-rule and self-determination, democracy, human rights and dignity;

· A de-nuclearization of the entire region. Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions, facilities and materials. Israel gives up its nuclear weapons;

· Creation of an “international regimen of inspection” to be created in the spirit of “Trust, But Verify;”

· With proper supervision, all nations in the region could reduce their military force and armaments by half or even three-quarters. (The U.S.A., the greatest arms supplier in the world, is in a unique position to make this happen.

Yes, we have had our time for war. The time for peace is now.

This Ethical Times post is presented by the Westchester Community for Ethical Culture.