40th MEPI - Middle East Peace Initative

27 December, 2008
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This was my first MEPI experience, and my decision to come was very last minute But it was a good decision, since it made a big impact on me.

Although I have a Christian background ( Presbyterian), I must admit that much of Christianity leaves me cold. I was not particularly moved spiritually by the visits to the religious sites, and rather deplored the commercialism of it all. However I am certainly able to connect more deeply to the nativity story hearing it now it this Christmas!

What leaves the most profound impact, is beginning to get a glimpse into the roots of the deep struggle between warring factions on the state of Israel and the surrounding Arab lands, and having gained a least a rudimentary 'skin touch' feeling of under- standing of what is going on. I came away with a deeper appreciation of what it means to the Jews to have the feeling of being the chosen people. What an incredible sense of tradition they have! But how much of an obstacle this can be to achieving true peace which must involve compromise and even sacrifice of concepts as well as land.

I was uneasy at our meeting with the Palestine leaders in Ramallah, and was indignant to hear Sheikh Tamimi speak of 'aggression and attacks' on the Palestine people on the part of Israel, and to state that military checkpoints were ' against human rights'. It's an emotional issue, but historically, who has been ( more ) the aggressor? Where have ( most of ) the suicide bombers come from? However after speaking with some members of our party, I have to conclude that contact and dialogue with these leaders is necessary, in addition to allowing them to vent grievances. BUT, I feel we have to be very careful not to be too ' one sided' and to be seen to be giving too much validation and credibility to their point of view. Maybe it was unfortunate that we met the Palestine side first, because I was certainly very impressed by our later visit to the Knesset, and to realise that UPF has also been able to make good contact on the Israeli side. And indeed to hear the parliamentarian testify to UPF was very encouraging.

GPF-I guess I was expecting an event of something of the magnitude of last months' GPF in London, and was taken aback at the small scale of the event in Haifa. However, once I overcame that concept, I could focus more on what was taking place. But I could not help but come away with the feeling that the audience was lukewarm; why, I don't know. It was explained to me that the people are naturally cautious. I had the feeling that they perhaps resent 'outsiders' coming to tell them that they should make peace, however indirectly it is said. The singer who tried to get everybody participating in ' give peace a chance' did not have much success.

Anniversary of Jesus crowning-this made a big impact on me. Until this point I had never heard a real explanation for the significance of this event, and I was especially moved by Shuki's testimony. I was a bit nervous as to how the delegates who had had little experience with our movement would receive this information, but was quite surprised to find that they mostly took it quite in their stride. A few did make the comment that the evening was too long.

Sharing - for me, almost the most precious part of the experience. Whether it was the testimony of a long time member who has been through hell but is still faithful to TF, or hearing of a first-timer's impressions, or having a 2 gen. share hopes and dreams, this interaction and give and take is so stimulating! And a big word of praise for our tour guide Abraham. I learned so much from him! He was able to diplomatically deal with some often rather provocative comments from some members of our party.

An initial orientation for our group would have been helpful. I was rather astonished that some of the delegates had not even a basic concept of the Middle East conflict, and even were ignorant of simple geography:- ' Is Haifa another country?' And not understanding that there are Arab Christians as well as Moslems, etc, etc. And so although it is challenging to give even a background of the situation in an unbiased, factual way, I feel that a brief overview at the start of the programme is called for.

For example, although it seemed to work out in the end, I did feel it was inappropriate for the American Christian woman to ask for prayer in the Knesset and end in the name of Jesus.

The feeling I am left with at the end, is that all the work of TF in this direction is bringing results. I went with a certain scepticism. Many times I have read grandiose, inflated reports about events we have initiated or been involved in, but wonder just how much change we are really bringing. This trip, and especially our visit to the Knesset made me reflect deeply. I would like to become much more involved with our local UPF, and am motivated to bring contacts to such excellent programmes.