A hope for peace, Eirween Harbottle

Sun, 21 Apr 2002 23:00:00 +0000

I want to say that in no way am I anti-semitic. I have many Jewish friends, many from the old days of the Jewish Agency before the state of Israel came into being. I am born of a Welsh father and an English mother. I was born and lived in Cyprus - as well as in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

My first child was born in Jerusalem in 1946. She began to arrive on 19 January in the then Government Hospital, situated in the Russian Compound at the other side of which was the central Jail in which a number of Jewish terrorists were held. As I waitied for labour to get underway, all hell let loose outside: the Irgun zvei Leumi (terrorists to us British) were blowing up the central jail to release some of their imprisoned colleagues. A colossal battle ensued which quietened down eventually. But it was an inauspicious time for a baby to be born.

Later I lived in Cyprus for many years and in the 50's, EOKA terrorists copied the Irgun tactics, causing many deaths to British soldiers and civilians, as well as to numerous Cypriots who did not agree with their violence.

Still later, the IRA picked up tactics of the Irgun and EOKA. It is no surprise to me that the Palestinians should now complete the circle. Doubtless their suicide bombers will in due course be recorded as martyrs and heroes to future generations - just as others have been in their respective countries.

Surely the time has come for another call for perestroika: this time on what we mean by security. It certainly cannot be achieved by living in perpetual hatred of one's neighbours, nor can it be won by amassing weaponry or defence shields.

There is a new generation of young people now growing up who know this very well and are looking to ways in which they can cooperate across national and religious boundaries in order to make their world a more just, fertile and joyful place in which to live their lives creatively and in peace. This kind of work has been going on for years in Israel itself at Neve Shalom Wahat Al.Salam (among other initiatives). It would be good to aim for a critical mass of such positive voices coming out of the Israel/Palestine - which should, I suggest, also include those of soldiers in the Peace Now initiative who are refusing to take part in violence against their Arab neighbours.

In Hope and in Peace.

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A hope for peace, Eirween Harbottle