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Violence in the Holy Land: How Identity Perpetuates Conflict
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An Israeli soldier and Palestinian man lock eyes in heated discussion.
You forge hard metals with heat and pressure and hard men with hard vision are likewise forged. Israel was made by such men. Men whose resolve was steely from the cauldron that was a world determined to deny Jews their humanity, or their lives even. In this same mold Israelis cast their enemy. Those who claim this conflict to be an ancient struggle between historical antagonists miss the sad irony of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is a sad irony wherein a people downtrodden, dispossessed and attacked took hold of their destiny, and rightfully so, but in the process made victims of another. The memory of what was for Jews made it difficult for a clear perception of the threat posed by Palestinian nationalists. Jews would not take threats lightly, nor was it necessary for passivity. Israel is strong. There will be no more Holocausts.
So much of what is Palestinian or Israeli identity involves the demonizing of the other, and of denying legitimate claims to grievance. In this charged atmosphere it becomes difficult to acknowledge any universal humanity, lest either group cede an ounce of perceived righteousness. This perceived righteousness is essential to ignore appalling acts committed in one’s defense. It is a moral shield, a justification of the horrific, and is equal parts ignorant and understandable. I am Palestinian; I am oppressed, humiliated and ignored. Something must be done. I am Israeli; I am attacked, terrorized and alarmed. Something must be done.
What forms then for Palestinian and Israeli alike is an identity reliant not only on a shared history with brethren but on disdain and distrust for the perceived enemy. They help define each other. Each hostile act reinforces negative perceptions and perpetuates the conflict. It is a reinforcing cycle that serves to define the self and the enemy. Herein lays the real difficulty in attaining a stable peace between the groups. In asking Palestinians and Israelis to accept peace we are also asking them to deny a part of themselves. Certainly one yields not to unjust causes. So then, if they are to resolve this conflict in a manner that transcends the bare minimum they must be willing to let die that portion of their identity reserved for mutual animosity. A just cause if there ever was one.
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