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WHEN Amos Oz was in Australia a few weeks ago he wisely commented, “We have to replace the cycle of bloodshed and violence and hatred with a peaceful coexistence.” Nothing could be truer; it would be difficult to argue that Israelis and Palestinians could ever sustain a peace agreement between political leaders without an acceptance of the presence, legitimacy and permanence of each other’s wider population.
But a cold, begrudging peace is only so useful. You need look no further than protests this week outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo to see how mainstream Egypt has long resisted moves to warm relations with Israel. While the peace has been sustained for 40 years, you can only imagine where constant protests outside embassies and discontent among everyday Israelis and Palestinians would lead them, after their own peace treaty in the future.
In fact, without a significant warming of relations on the streets of East and West Jerusalem, thereby building confidence and trust, you would think that any inked peace agreement would only briefly intermit the cycle of violence.
Luckily, there are countless efforts in peacemaking being made across the Mideast. Perhaps the most pertinent to us is the appearance for the second time of the joint Israeli and Palestinian Peace Team, sponsored by the Peres Peace Centre, to play in AFL’s International Cup. Together, 13 Israelis and 13 Palestinians have taken up the no-doubt weird sport in what is an opportunity to breach the political, cultural, linguistic and historic divide.
Only some players from their first adventure in 2008 are back now in Australia, but all still share their friendship. Because of their experience, they have a greater understanding of “the other” – their hopes and aspirations as individuals and as a people, and their fears and concerns about a future peace.
Particularly of note are the Australian trainer Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico, and ambassador Brett Kirk. Both were known in their heydays as humble, honest and tough-as-nails footballers. Each always attracted the highest respect from opponents on the field, as well as in the stands. Together with the players, they exude the qualities we would like in Israelis and Palestinians – resilience, compassion, determination, dignity and respect.
However, without surprise, some anti-Israel activists are scathing in their criticism. A common theme is that the Peace Team project gives the impression that Palestinians aren’t suffering under occupation and that life in the West Bank and Gaza are as normal as in Tel Aviv or Sydney. Of the oppression of the Palestinians I have no doubt, and the experience these Palestinians and Israelis have – one of coexistence, peace and friendship – is comparatively rare. Demonisation of both peoples by one another is far more prevalent than the friendship these players share.
However, that is precisely why the Peace Team and other coexistence efforts are so important. Ignoring them – or worse, boycotting them – is negative and unhelpful. You cannot avoid the existing enmity on both sides and the harmful policies both employ, but you can work actively against it towards change.
The Peace Team is an acknowledgement of a situation far from ideal, one in which two peoples share a common land and hope, but diverge on a solution and even an accepted path towards it. The bringing together of these 26 people, scarred by a generations-old conflict, is an act of humanisation – providing a face to the thousands suffering on the other side.
The impact cannot be underestimated. Their friendships provide a positive example not only for Israelis and Palestinians, but also their diasporas, and all other peoples in conflict throughout the world. Their healthy acceptance and respect for each other’s narratives and lives, despite being different from their own, will help to navigate a peace among all Israelis and Palestinians.
To borrow a phrase, it shows that what unites them is so much more than what divides them. Having someone from Tel Aviv or from Ramallah to call upon, or to refer to as a “friend” will show others that peace is possible, if only we reach out a hand, take a risk and give it a chance.
Amos Oz may have said that coexistence is the best we can hope for, with love being a dream too farfetched. Surely though the love and respect these boys have for each other, and for peace, if adopted more widely, might just prove him wrong.
This op-ed was originally published in the Australian Jewish News.
Related reading:- Gallup poll: 69% of Israelis support peace but 66% think it won’t happen
- MUJU footballers doing “a very much better job” at building peace than politicians
- 1/3 of Australians think lack of compromise biggest obstacle to Mideast peace; 1/3 undecided
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