Peace in Jerusalem

My name is Abraham Figa. My son Michael is a student. This letter is in response to Danny Baram’s March 12 commentary on U.S. policy toward Israel, in which Danny, in my opinion, shows compassion for both Palestinians and Jews. Michael’s letter to the editor followed on March 13 and inspired me to do some research.

Let me say at the outset that I believe that both Danny and Michael earnestly desire peace in the Middle East. However there is a radically different perspective taken by each based on their understanding of what is happening in that troubled land and who is to blame. I am not qualified to judge who is to blame; but I am going to take a stand based on my own experiences.

I was born in 1949 in a displaced peoples camp in Germany. I grew up in Portland, Maine. I experienced the effects of the holocaust second hand through the effect on my parents, who were from Poland. My father, Perez, lost all of his family during the war. My mother lost a number of brothers and sisters, but some survived and immigrated to Israel.

When he heard that Israel had captured Jerusalem in 1967, my father was overwhelmed with emotion. It seemed that we had recaptured what was ours. I had a vague belief then and an even stronger one now that somehow God would provide a way to restore the city and perhaps the temple. But the methods of some of the “religious Jews” in the settlements, if what I have heard and read is correct, are a recipe for disaster.

I tend to read media reports with caution, even suspicion. I was once a juror in a murder trial. Through that experience I have come to hold suspect virtually every media account of an event. Eyewitness accounts under oath can tell a radically different story from the official account or even a reporter’s account. Given that disclaimer I can tell you a few things I have heard or read.

An Israeli told me that many of the “religious Jews” in the settlements in the Palestinian areas have literally stolen Palestinian property. They also instruct their children to destroy Palestinian property. They send them out with specific instructions such as to topple the food carts in the marketplace. The Israeli soldiers (sometimes reluctantly) are under orders to protect these children. I can only imagine the conflicts that this can create and the possibility of Palestinians being killed.

I have also read that certain Jewish religious groups have provoked confrontations in Jerusalem by threatening to destroy Moslem holy sites. One of the most significant and deadly conflicts was on October 8, 1990 at the Dome of the Rock area. Israeli police killed 18 Palestinians and wounded 150 others. The official report was that Palestinians began the incident by throwing rocks over the Temple Mount onto Jewish worshipers and that the Israeli police responded. This was the report published around the world in major newspapers. Palestinians, however, claimed that the police started shooting first.

A follow-up report by Israel acknowledged uncontrolled shooting of Palestinians but still insisted that the start of the conflict was the rock throwing. Several amateur videotapes apparently showed a different sequence of events. Those who viewed them concluded that bullets were already flying before any rocks were thrown onto the Jewish area, which by that time was clear of worshipers. The policeman in charge was criticized, but a short time later promoted. For more information search the web for “temple mount massacre”.

Are Palestinians engaged in indiscriminate slaughter also? Absolutely. The suicide bombings kill many innocents. However, one of the most effective suicide massacres in history was by an Israeli in the vicinity of Gaza long ago, when Israelis were under the control of the Palestinians. I have reviewed a brief account of the man’s life and his suicide. I am not sure what I think of him.

He had a history of violence. As well as stealing and destroying Palestinian property, he also bludgeoned many Palestinians to death. After he was captured, disfigured and tortured, he lost his desire to live. He prayed to die and seized an opportunity to kill those around him as well as himself. I don’t know if God honored his prayer; but using his own strength and ingenuity he was very successful. I believe that his name is highly regarded by many Jews to this day. His name is Samson.

I believe that the Lord will send one who is stronger and more righteous than Samson. Whom then shall he send? The Word of God! Whom shall we obey? The Word of God! Whose name shall we praise? The name of the Word of God! In due time He will restore the throne of David. “If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”