Making us blind

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

No matter which side you take in the current Middle East crisis, it is time to listen to the pope and the United Nations. Both say it is time for a cease-fire and a real concerted effort at peace negotiations.

Since Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers on July 12, attacks have been exchanged between Israel and the terrorist group, based in Lebanon. As of July 25, more than 400 Lebanese - mostly civilians - and more than 30 Israelis - also mostly civilians - were dead. Also, since June - when Hamas, based in the Palestinian Territories - kidnapped an Israeli soldier, nearly 100 Palestinians have died in violent exchanges.

UN General Secretary Kofi Annan and Pope Benedict XVI have both called for a cease-fire.

Beirut is a war zone. Mt Lebanon Hospital has moved patients to the basement. In the Israeli seacoast city of Haifa, hospital patients have been moved to wings facing away from Lebanon. And in Nazareth, children huddle in bomb shelters. To date, no "humanitarian corridor" had been established to allow relief supplies to be brought to Lebanon.

The fighting only seems to be escalating, with a real risk of other nations being drawn into the fray.

Pope Benedict's statement, issued July 20, pleaded for a hopeful future for all sides:

• "The Lebanese have the right to see the integrity and sovereignty of their country respected,

• the Israelis have the right to live in peace in their nation,

• and the Palestinians have the right to a free and sovereign country."

Without these three points being equally recognized, there will never be a cease-fire, much less hope of any lasting peace in a land that three major religions call Holy.

Some years ago, Mahatma Gandhi - a man of peace in our times, who knew war and injustice in his own homeland - said this about war: "An eye for an eye makes us all blind."

As Jesus traveled through Jericho - a city now in the middle of the Palestinian Territories - he was met by Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who said, "Master, I want to see."

The same plea should be that of everyone involved in the Middle East crisis - we need sight, not blindness.