Occupation and its enforcement -- the terrible siege of Gaza this month -- incite racism, hatred and worse. What we're seeing now (in this video, for example) is that racism knows no boundaries, and it quickly jumps borders. Not only are these marchers gloating over the killing of children in Gaza: they're also calling for vengeance on Israeli citizens, members of the Knesset, Arabs with full citizenship. This is a sad and devastating consequence of the occupation, its maddening expansion, and the organized violence that justifies it. War dehumanizes on all sides.
Israeli leadership seems intent on destabilizing Palestinian politics and Palestinian culture as much as possible. This seems to serve the far right's end game: forcing wise and fair-minded Palestinians into exile; fanning the flames of violent dissent; furthering the need for military control, occupation, etc. What will be left? A people with few leaders, few resources, little hope.
I pray tonight for my own Arab/Palestinian friends, especially those with full Israeli citizenship, who worry this week for their own safety and children. Israel can be, should be a bright light of multiculturalism and pluralism. But it's losing that light fast. It can only be healed, I think, by peace and by a generous and fair and negotiated de-occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. A thriving and multicultural Israel needs a thriving and multicultural Palestine. The strange and lawless occupation -- which only expands year by year -- does nothing at all to advance this goal.
Theologian Larry Rasmussen suggested some years ago that 'theologies of liberation' are appropriate for the oppressed, the poor, the occupied; but that the rest of us might be wise to develop 'theologies of relinquishment.' Something like that. His point was that the privileged and powerful among us have occupied lands that are not truly (or only) ours; that we've occupied economies that are not truly (or only) ours; that we've accumulated huge advantages off privilege and plunder. In our worlds, liberation begins with relinquishment.
I've thought of Larry's point many times over the years. What might it mean for privileged peoples to work out 'theologies of relinquishment'--in the cause of liberty and freedom and justice and healing for the planet? What kinds of relinquishment, of renewal, of dis-empowerment might be theologically faithful and wise? In partnering with the poor and oppressed and occupied, what might we give up?
It strikes me tonight that Israelis might need to ask similar questions. It strikes me that relinquishment of some sort might be a prerequisite for peace. And while all sides have no doubt to relinquish something (weaponry, grievance, bitterness), the occupiers may have particular responsibility for leaving their posts (and even their homes) for the common good and the cause of peace. Theologically, for Christians and Jews in particular, relinquishment is itself the way of return, the pathway home to God. Isaiah preached this message. And so did Jesus. And many others besides.
If not, the madness in this video intensifies on all sides. And the children are not safe. Hatred jumps borders.
