Selling a Vision of Hope - A New Model for the Middle East

file under: vision of hope, economic development, Demonstrations, a new model for the Middle East	3 Jun 2011 4:30 PM
A New Model for the Middle East	Posted by Nissim Dahan

The Mubarak model is out. The extremists, however, are ready, willing and able to put their model in place. It is important, therefore, for those who seek freedom to put a new model on the table, one that inspires a sense of hope, one that competes effectively for hearts and minds, and one that points to the possibility of peace, prosperity and freedom, on the Arab street, in the Muslim world, and in the world as a whole.

And what will this new model look like? It will look like a Green Industrial Zone between Israel and Gaza, which creates some 200,000 jobs, and which will bear witness to the miracle of Jews, Christians and Muslims working together, side by side, for the sake of a brighter future.

And why will a Green Industrial Zone make any difference now, when so many other such projects have been tried before? Because the Arab Spring is a game changer. Because the man on the street has found his courage, and is crying out for two things: a job, and the personal freedom to live his life as he sees fit. Because the Arab leadership is running out of time, and running out of options. Because at this particular point in time, when so much is at stake, there is a hint of an alignment between the self-interest of some of the key players in the region, and the best interests of the region as a whole. Because the leaders may actually need one another for a change, to stave off some very common existential threats; namely the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the threat of the man on the street. And because these common threats could be used to forge a security/economic alliance between the Arab States, Israel, Europe and the U.S. to provide security, and to revitalize the entire region with good paying jobs.

And who would be willing to build a Green Industrial Zone between Israel and Gaza? Wealthy and powerful people, who would never have said yes before, may be willing to give it a shot this time around. People like Stef Wertheimer, a multi-billionaire in Israel, who sold his business, Iscar, to Warren Buffet, and who enjoys building Industrial Zones where Jews and Arabs work together. People like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, who have partnered together in philanthropy, and who may see this project as giving needed direction to U.S. foreign policy, and creating American jobs in the process. People like the Saudis, who have the cash, thank God, and who may see job creation as a way of restoring Arab pride, and bringing about positive change in a gradual and moderate manner, instead of dealing with revolution at their doorstep. People like Hamas, who may still hate Israel's guts, but who may partner with her, nonetheless, in order to create the jobs that the people are demanding. And even Israel, which needs something like this to break the paralysis of the peace process, and which would prefer an industrial zone on her border, as opposed to launching sites for missiles.

And why a Green Industrial Zone in particular? Because a project of this sort would provide the answer to the three greatest questions of our time: How do we grow our economies? How do we protect the environment? And how do we weaken the hold of extremist thinking? And the answers are simple enough: We grow our economies by investing in one another to create good paying jobs. We protect the environment by using business to address the environmental issues endemic to the region, such as water shortages and the like. And we weaken the hold of extremist thinking b giving the man on the street a place at the table, a stake in his future. In the final analysis, the ideological extremists will not be able to capture the public's imagination, once people begin to imagine a better life for themselves.

And why will one, single, solitary project of this sort make any difference to the collective future of mankind? Because at a time when the whole world is looking for answers, and looking for ways to revitalize itself, this particular project will put together all the pieces of a solution to our most intractable problems, will package those pieces in the most attractive way possible, and will allow us to sell the man on the street on a Vision of Hope for the future. As such, a single, solitary project will capture the world's imagination, and will attract additional investment dollars, for other such projects, and what begins as a single, solitary, project could well blossom into a movement for change.

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, in Montgomery, Alabama. Normally a non-event. But Marin Luther King was no ordinary man. He was a man with a vision, a big vision of hope for America, a vision of equal rights and justice under the law. He saw in Rosa Parks a way to breathe life into his vision. And soon enough, the reality on the ground grew to fill up the space created by the vision, a vision of hope. Such is the dynamic of change in the world, and such is the prescription for change in the Middle East.

Comments (21) Add Comment

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written by zcardin, June 07, 2011

You make a great point but I would like to clear up a few things that confused me.

This project is indpendent of the political climate in the middle east it is in the purest form a business venture which will hopefully change the politcal process.

This project reminds me of the Marshall Plan. After World War 1 we made life so terrible for Germany that radicalism followed.
After WW2 we tried to reconstruct Germany after the War and build it into a stable Democracy.

Israel, Jews,and bussinessmen must work with the Palistinan people to establish peace.

Creative and Strong
written by TheModernRumi, June 07, 2011

When we think of the Middle East, we often think of hate, violence, inhumanity and barbarism unimaginable to the God-fearing mind. Indeed, this reputation is partly earned and partly mythical as all generalizations about another people are.

But, we forget that the other side of the Middle East has been trade, the cradle of modern democracy (it was Islam, not Christianity or Judaism that introduced limited Democracy following the death Muhammad with the four first caliphs being chosen by an electoral college), and the home of the most remarkably vivid cultures the world has ever seen. Rumi wrote in Persian, a middle eastern language. Solomon gave wisdom from Israel, a middle eastern country. And Saladin changed the course of history by forgiving the very people who had raped his sister and murdered her at Jerusalem--the city at the heart of the Mideast Conflict today.

And so these decisions by remarkable people living in very ordinary times that changed the world. Today Nick Dahan is suggesting so very ordinary solutions to remarkable problems, and it is in our best interest that we listen intently as common sense is not so common, and the sort of common leadership Nick is offering us to escape the tragedy of the middle east is only common in America today: trade.

I'll be back soon.

-Hamza Khan (resident Muslim)

HAMZA
written by GABE1, June 09, 2011

Nice to see you posting here. So that we can better understand you let me ask where in the Middle east you either reside or hail from?

]When we think of the Middle East, we often think of hate, violence, inhumanity and barbarism unimaginable to the God-fearing mind. Indeed, this reputation is partly earned and partly mythical as all generalizations about another people are.

This is a very interesting statement and in order to debate it, I would like to hear from you some clarification and what you really mean by making it especially the distinction between partly earned and partly mythical.

I would also like to get your understanding as to how trade will change the dynamics of the Middle East reality with emphasis on the religious aspect and specifically the Sunni/Shia divide.

JUST A SNIPPET
written by GABE1, June 10, 2011

CAIRO — Egypt’s economy, whose inequities and lack of opportunities helped topple a government, has now ground to a virtual halt, further wounded by the revolution itself.

Paragraph-1 Contains
The 18-day revolt stopped new foreign investment and decimated the pivotal tourist industry. The annual growth slowed to less than 2 percent from a projected 5 percent, and Egypt’s hard currency reserves plunged 25 percent.

MORE SNIPPETS
written by GABE1, June 10, 2011

The Western powers are scrambling to address the growing sense of crisis by pledging a total package of $20 billion in assistance to the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, including debt forgiveness as well as loans from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The challenge is steep. The revolution has inspired new demands for more jobs and higher wages that are fast colliding with the economy’s diminished capacity. In an indication of the desperation, the government said soon after the revolution that it would add 450,000 temporary jobs to the public payroll; an extra seven million people applied, said Ahmed Galal, a prominent Egyptian economist.

Samir Mohamed Radwan, the interim Egyptian finance minister, recently told the BBC that in his current job he felt “like a prisoner.” With European travelers still fearful of post-revolutionary disorder, only stray cats paw the trinkets in the stalls of Cairo’s ancient market. Tourism, which accounts for more than 10 percent of the economy, has plummeted by 40 percent, officials say.

Strikes by workers demanding their share of the revolution’s spoils continue to snarl industry, and business executives say the demands are becoming self-defeating. “We increased wages after the revolution, and a month later the workers went on strike again and asked for even higher wages,” said Moataz El Alfi, chief executive of Americana, which runs fast-food restaurants here.

I Believe in Miracles, but Hard Works helps them along.
written by Nissim Dahan, June 12, 2011

Gabe, my name Nissim, means miracles, but as you and I know, miracles are not so easy to come by, and they are certainly difficult to predict.

For Egypt and Tunisia, on their own, to undertake revolutions, and to come out nice and clean, would be a miracle of immense proportions, and totally unrealistic.

The French Revolution was followed by a terrible period of violence, when blood flowed through the streets, with Robspierre and his gang calling the shots.

Even the American Revolution, which was well thought out, continued the practice of slavery, which eventually ended up in the Civil War, one of the bloodiest affairs in American history.

Yes, Egypt, and Tunisia, and the entire region are in grave trouble. And the risk of them sliding further into the abyss is great indeed. That is precisely why they need our help, not just talk, but actualy help.

We have the wherewithall to step in, to inspire with a vision, and to deliver on that promise with good paying jobs. And that will create a model, and eventually a reality, which will speak louder than words, and which will condition people for the possibility of peace.

It will work, not because people love one another, or because they want peace, but because they are running out of time, and out of options. The word "no" becomes a "yes" under the right circustances.

And zcardin, I agree with you that a Marshall Plan is what's called for here, altought I would prefer it be initiated by the private sector, and funded with Arab capital.

The Nazis were the worst loonies in the history of mankind. After they were vanquished, we invested, and we turned them around. This situation is a bit different, but the overall strategy is still aplicable as far as I can see.

PURE RUBBISH
written by GABE1, June 12, 2011

democracy in Europe and the USA, Canada, Australia etc has been around for at least one hundred years so there is already a model to emulate. Israel is a vibrant Democracy smack in the middle of some of the worst dictatorships both secular and religious. It it interesting that WE MUST point the Arabs to see both what Israel and the West has accomplished.

You can bring the horse to eater but you s=certainly cannot make it drink and furthermore the Arabs are going even further by trying to spill the water out of the trough.

That is the reality that neither you or Zcardin, Cardin, EEW and Hamza fail to acknowledge. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN unless and until there are clear signals from the Arab camp and their leftist antisemitic allies that the lay of the land will change there.

REALITY with a capital R

LOONIES AND PLAIN MURDERERS
written by GABE1, June 12, 2011

Perhaps you can advise me how to start o blog so that I can begin m=our discussions at the start and not with the so called "Arab Spring"or as the Arabs prefer "the 1967 Occubation"

The British over centuries have killed more peoples and nations than anyone else in Hostory and that includes the Mongol hordes. But lets not confuse history with facts.

To be fair to me and people like me, perhaps you can tell me (second request) how this uprising is different than the ones that brought Naguib/Nasser/Sadat/Mubarak/Tantawi to power or Assad the elder in Syria or Saddam Hussein in Iraq or Qaddafi in Libya and in Yemen and tunisia etc? You always never tire to tell us that this is different.
How?Lets skip that nonsensical comparison to the USA and France. Red Herrings at best.

Your Blog, and How This Is Different
written by Nissim Dahan, June 13, 2011

I am not a technical person. My son-in-law set the blog up, and I'm not sure if anyone other than me can blog. However, I'll make a deal with you. If you e-mail me your blog post, and assuming it passes the "civility test," then I'll post it as your blog, and we can discuss it with comments from all who care to join in. Fair enough?

As to your other point, why is the Arab Spring different, and why can we expect anything new from the Arab world.

You make a good point. I can't deny that. There are a whole cluster of special interests in that part of the world, and beyond, which have created a certain model in the Middle East, and which are very resistant to change.

And if we're honest with ourselves, we in the West have been somewhat complicit. For example, for the sake of access to oil, we have supported Arab dictators, and looked the other way when it came to human rights and the like.

And I'm sure, that given the chance, the powers that be would like to keep it that way, and the West will likely go along if the oil supply were not threatened.

So why can we expect anything new this time around?

First of all, the Arab Spring is different from Nasser or Assad or Saddam or Qaddafi taking power, because in those cases it was a strongman taking power from other, weaker leaders, and here it is the people who are demaning change. And they are not just demanding new leadership. They are demanding jobs, and personal freedom.

To my knowledge, that is a first.

Secondly, modern technology has allowed the man on the street to speak out to the world, and to speak out to each other, and to have the world watching what goes on day by day. It is very difficult, therefore, to do the kind of killing that needs to be done, to hold on to power.

Syria is making a go of it. But even there, it is very difficult to predict with any certainty, that Assad will be able to hold on to power.

There is another factor at work, and that is the prospect of a nuclear Iran. The Arabs are extremely worried about that. Iran has not hidden what it's intentions are with respect to the Middle East. And a nuclear arsenal will give her cover to do what she wants in that regard. So therefore, the Arabs may need help to contend with the security threat from Iran, and from the threat from within, from the man on the street.

This confluence of factors could make the difference this time arround. The fact that the people have risen up, that they want jobs and personal freedoms, that Iran is a threat to the entire region, that the whole world is watching, and that the oil has to be protected, put all this together and you may have the makings of a New Middle East.

Of course, there is no guarantee, and you may well be right that this will go the same way it went before, so many times. However, I would argue that under these circumstances, when so much is at stake, and when there are so many new factors on the table, that it is at least worth a try to turn this thing around, and to point it in the right direction, especially if we have access to Arab capital to make it happen.

MERRY GO ROUND
written by GABE1, June 13, 2011

and where to get off is a very good strategy.

When you talk about the man on the street ,I am hoping that you have internalized the fall of the Shah of Iran as this is the perfect example of what happens to these periodic uprisings in the MUDDLE EAST even with so called popular uprisings.

The oil card is shifting and I saw an article in a western economic newspaper where they state that Israel has as much shale oil reserves as Saudi Arabias oil reserves and Europe has 16 times as much. With new Israeli technology that is ready to go ,the cost and environmental impact is negligable.The oil can be extracted at $30.00-35.00 dollars a barrel. That paper also believes that the Israeli reserves will kill OPEC.

That is not to say that Israel does not need peace but I take issue with your approach and not the end result, which is noble.

The challenge to you is that you stop with this "Marshall Plan" type of nonsense and lets look at ways were Israel and the Arabs can live in peace and prosperity. That would truly be a win-win situation. For that however you will need an Arab willingness which is sorely lacking today "Arab Spring" or no Arab Spring.

NISSIM
written by GABE1, June 14, 2011

There is a limit to my patience in replying to that same old,same old,debunked YES WE MUST (OR WHAT). Do you think that the Arabs will change and become Finns. I think that they will become more emboldened and more like the Mongols of Ghenghis Khan.

OVER 30 BLOGS devoted to a single theory in various guises. ENOUGH ALREADY.

THAT ONE TRICK PONY has run its course and no one is BUYING. Can you not get the hint- OUTRIGHT REJECTION.

Outright Rejection
written by Nissim Dahan, June 15, 2011

Actually, Gabe, I've written 79 blogs, not 30. But who is counting?

You may be losing patience. And maybe I should try to be a bit more original here and there. But to be quite honest, this is what I believe in, and without sounding arrogant, I also believe that it is the only way to move forward.

I've read some of the literature, and listened to a great deal of opinions in this regard, and to date, I have yet to read or hear an idea which is more convincing, or more complete in its approach.

What I have tried to do, imperfectly to be sure, is to put together all the pieces of a possible solution to our most intractable issues, to package them in the most attractive way possible, and to sell them to the man on the street.

I would argue, unlike your assessment, that Selling a Vision of Hope is a vision which is clear,convincing, concise and complete. It puts it all together, all the dimensions of the problems, and comes up with specfic approaches that have a good chance of working. I don't see a feasible alternative, and if you do, I would encourage you to share that with us.

I would gladly endorse any other idea which makes more sense.

In terms of your assessment of the Arab world, I beg to disagree. The Arab people exhibited aspects of greatness for over 1000 years, even though they had their faults as well, and if they commit themselves accordingly, they can achieve wonders, which do not require war or killing or oppresion or subjugation or terror.

It is their choice. But there is not reason not to help them make the right choice.

In terms of "outright rejection," this story has not come to an end. I am making progress, although even so slowly. But for the most part, the people I talk to seem to respond favorably. The idea seems to resonate, even though many question our ability to get it done.

Well, to be quite honest, I question that as well. Sometimes I say to myself that this thing is about as close to impossible as you can get. However, considering that there is no reasonable alternative, and considering that we are running out of time and out of options, I see no reason not to try.

This is not a "trick pony." This is the real thing, and if you think otherwise, come up with an idea which even comes close.

SORRY
written by GABE1, June 15, 2011

but we are not running out of time. Maybe you think we are but there are a lot of options that have not yet been tried. How about the original concept of the League of Nations-Two States for Two peoples with no UNWRA. Obama or the UN or the EU.

Is that too novel for you?

FARE THEE WELL
written by GABE1, June 15, 2011

With 79 blogs, by your count, do you think that just like the Arabs are doing , you can bludgeon people into buying a heap of dung. Israel has survived and prospered with 60 plus years of terror, murder and threats. We are stronger and more prosperous than we have ever been and the Israelis who are satisfied with their lives in Israel is 7th highest in the world.

You come along and decides that we are running out of time-The Masada Syndrome.Sorry to disappoint you but that ship has sailed a few thousand years ago and not with very good results for Jews.

YOUR PLAN if that is what you call it has no chance in Hades,NOT NOW, NOT EVER. You can Huff and you can Puff but that will not entice any Arabs to invest in Arab economies, nor will it entice Jews to do it either. You can always speak to Soros but in my opinion he will not do it either as he is too busy trying to annihilate Israel with his money.

Frankly, with no posters here or any support anywhere else, I would just give up on that Silly concept you call a plan.

BTW: You still have not told me when you were in Israel last.

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written by yushumei, June 17, 2011

http://www.edhardy-t-shirt.com/

Written by Sami on Mideast Youth.com
written by Nissim Dahan, June 19, 2011

over 20 years ago we have heard more than this “vision of hope”… Mr Shimon Perez (the creator of the zionist Nuclear Weapon) tried to delude us with his “vision of hope” saying that “Gaza will be the Singapore of the Middle East”… what happened is that a few years later (as prime miniset) he commited the massacre of Qana drawing his vision of a new Middle East…. The zionists invaded several times killing thousands of children, Gaza is still besieged for years… The West Bank is still occupied and being devastated …. This is the zioniat “vision of hope” !!

What is your “new model” will result in? New massacres? new house demolition? new zionist attacks against Lebanon, or maybe Egypt this time?

You can sell your “vision of hope” for the naive and stupid people, but not to those who experienced the zionist lies on their skins… not those who lost their children while looking at the zionist mirage of delusions and more deception to take more time for more occupation and more killing !!

You can play the lamb who is trying to spread peace (the delusion of peace) but you cant convince the occupied of more lies the people all over the world started to know what does it mean to be a zionist… it means not only to be a killer, but also a lair !!

Too Broad a Brush
written by Nissim Dahan, June 19, 2011

You paint with too broad a brush my friend.

There are good people on both sides of this conflict who want peace, and who are willing to invest to make that happen.

You want proof?

The Industrial Zone I’m talking about was designed by Stef Wertheimer and was one week from ground breaking when the second Intifada broke out and brought the project to a halt.
You speak of killing. There is killing all over Syria. Does that mean that it is foolish to entertain a vision of hope for that country?

Are we prisoners of the past, or masters of our destinies?

I say build an industrial zone, no matter what anyone else thinks, and let that reality speak for itself.

Written by Sami on Mideast Youth.com
written by Nissim Dahan, June 19, 2011

Nissim…
I probably respect you as a human, but not as a zionist..

I know you are trying to defend “israel” from the very rear door, and warn your people that there last chance is your “vision of hope”… You are just like lots of the zionists I know who started to see the inevitable doom of “israel” more than 10 years ago… they started to oppose occupation seeing that it will lead “israel” into its end, that they were not only aware of the demographic problem, but also wanted stop the zionist arogans, within which (as I see) the end of the zionist dream is coming soon… this is not what I see and say, this is what the “post-zionists” could see more than a decade ago, and this is what the latest CIA report said that “israel” will cease to exist within 20 years !!

“A land without people to a people without land” … “there is nothing called Palestinian people“… the jewish mentality that “will make the desert bloom” … “the only democratic oasis in the middle east” … “the most mral army in the world” …… what else can I mention here Nissin?

These are the zionist lies I am talking of Nissim !!
You are trying to stop History and freeze it to this moment of the zionist arrogance? are you trying to create your won model that suits the zionist entity …. are you trying to remold the Arab culture to normalize your passing away entity?

It is too late Nissim…. I can see the Arab and Muslim awakening… I can feel and see every day that all the Arabs are back to their true Muslim roots, and thanks to the zionist “jewish” arrogance that has created its counter-oppressor… thanks to Leiberman and Ovadia Yusef who enflames the Muslims… thanks to the zionist atrocities that awaken the deceived and deluded through the fake “peace” prolonged process… !!

“israel is doomed to its (probably not dramatic) doom, and I am sure it will be soon…. Your cosmetics will not make the ugly old lady a young girl again…. and people stopped to believe in the zionist deception a long time ago…. even the “doves” who committed massacres soon after they fed us up with their “blooming the desert” !!

Save your time and efforts Nissim… occupation and ethnic cleansing cant be normalized, and for sure, you will not convince the Arab youth who started the Arab Spring… Look at them to see the end of your arrogant “israel” in front your eyes !!

Where will justice come from?
written by Nissim Dahan, June 19, 2011

Nissim Dahan
June 3, 2011

Sami, Sami, Sami…what can I say?

You and I may see similar things, but we draw some very different conclusions.

Emotions are running high in the time of the Arab Spring, and they are running high between Israel and Palestine as well. The question remains, however: What are we going to do with these emotions? Do we seek revenge or do we seek justice? Because in all likelihood, we can’t have both. We have to choose which path to follow.
Life is full of injustice. The Jews know this full well. Their roots in the land of Israel go back over 3000 years. And then, around 2000 years ago, in the year 70 CE, most of them were kicked out by the Romans. And the Jews came to know what it is to be homeless, and what it is to be the scapegoat. They suffered 2000 years of oppression, forced conversion, progroms, inquisitions, forced exile, and the like, culminating in the Holocaust, in which one third of them were exterminated in cold blood.

I would say, in all fairness, that the Jews suffered their share in injustice and cruelty. And what did they do with those emotions? They set forth to build a homeland of their own, in the land of their ancestors, the land of Israel. And they brought some measure of prosperity to this land, and they became strong militarily, and educated, and instituted the rule of law, to the best of their ability, but imperfectly as well.

When Israel came into being, some Palestinians decided to stay, and became citizens of the Jewish state, with the same rights as Jewish citizens, and some left. Of those that left, some were forced to do so, but the majority left of their own accord, in response to the demands of the invading Arab armies, who assured them that Israel would soon be destroyed. When Israel won the War of Independence, the Palestinians became refugees, and their host countries decided to maintain their status accordingly, for politcal purposes.
So where do we go from here? I would agree with you that the occupation is not good for Israel. It must come to an end, even if it means uniliateral withdrawal by Israel, as she did in Gaza. The occupation, over the long haul, causes Jews to behave in ways that are not consistent with what it means to be a Jew. However, any such withdrawal should be made in such a way so as to maintain Israel’s security, even if it means some land swaps, to the tune of 4-6%, or thereabouts.

A negotiated settlement is the best way to go, but unilateral action may be needed as well.

With all that said, I would say to you that as far as I’m concerned, and as far as most Israelis are concerned, Israel will do everything in its power to survive, because if Jews have learned anything from history, it is that without a homeland of your own, no one will go out of his way to lift a finger to protect you. And I believe that Palestinians have learned that same lesson as well.

You may wish to see Israel destroyed, but your aspirations in that regard are way off base, for two reasons. One, because in light of history, Jews have a moral right to a homeland of their own in the land of their ancestors, the land of Israel. And two, in a more practical sense, Israel is a powerful country, and in an effort to assure her surival, she will do whatever it takes to coninue being the safe haven for the Jewish people. And in my opinion, for what it’s worth, she would be morally justified in protecting herself, no matter what that entails.

Having said that, I would also say that the Palestinian people have also suffered, and they two deserve justice. Where we differ is in determining what that justice will look like. You look for destruction. You say that justice can only come from destroying the Jewish state. I say no. Justice will never come from the destruction of a state that has every moral right to exist, as does Israel. Justice will only come if Palestinians partner with Israel, and with the U.S., and with the Arab world, and with the civilized world, to build a state of their own, living in peace, side by side with Israel.

Where will justice come from? (continued)
written by Nissim Dahan, June 19, 2011

And if you come to that conclusion, (miracles do happen) , then you will have no better partner than the State of Israel. Israel has proven that it has what it takes. Israel is not the problem in the Middle East. In many respects, Israel is the solution for the Middle East, because in many respects, the Middle East needs exactly what Israel has to offer, including: womens’ rights, gay rights, the rule of law, the treatment of minorities, economic growth, education, military strength, personal freedoms, etc., etc., etc….

And the same logic applies to the Arab Spring. Yes there has been injustice. And yes the model that has been put in place in the Middle East is a rotten one. And yes, there are strong emotions in the air. But the question remains, what do we do with these emotions? Do we strike out in vengence? Do we lash out? Or do we build a future for ourselves?

We all seek justice. But where is justice to be found? Justice will not come from trying to right the wrongs of the past with the blood of those we’ve come to hate. Justice will only come from directing our emotions and our strengths and our energies toward building a new future for ourselves, and putting in place a new model, a model that will speak louder than words, a model that will inspire a sense of hope, and a model that points to the possibility of peace, prosperity and freedom.

If you want justice, then hope is the answer. If you want destruction, then don’t even pretend that it was justice you were after.

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written by zcardin, July 04, 2011

A new model would have to include both sidesd seeing each others needs. The Israelis will have to see the Palesitinan desire for statehood and the Palestinians will have tosee the Israeli desire for a Jewish democracy this can only be donwe through direct negotions only when one side walks in the others shoes will progress get done.

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