Mideast debate here remains focused on peace

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & ethics Writer

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Related events in Honolulu A screening of the film "Voices From the Holy Land," Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral, 7:30 tonight. Speakers: Bishop Bob and Mary Page Jones. Information: Willis Moore, 538-3952. Tomorrow: After giving a sermon at Harris United Methodist Church and sharing a fellowship luncheon, Frederic Bush will lecture at 12:15 p.m. on "The Tragic Failure of Violent Solutions: The Causes of the Current Catastrophe in Palestine and Israel." Information: Bob Stiver, 455-9823. Israel Independence Day Festival Hawai'i, noon to 5 p.m. May 2, Honolulu Civic Center near Honolulu Hale, between Alapa'i and Punchbowl on South King Street. Information: 285-6655.

But the festival was bumped back to next weekend, so Hawai'i's Jewish community won't be across town, setting up booths to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the founding of Israel, as Bush is telling Christian church services and lectures that the "militarized government of Israel" needs to seek a new direction.

Bush, a retired professor of ancient near-eastern studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., isn't hesitant to talk politics with like- or different-minded parties.

"I wish I did more often," he said. "Unfortunately, however, the very subject self-selects. ... I consider myself not talking politics, but educating people about what the truth is in the

Israeli-Palestinian conflict — especially from what is happening on the ground, in conflict with the positions taken by both governments."

Bush lived in Jerusalem while on sabbatical in 1974-75, studying the physical and historical geography of Palestine and Israel. "That gave me the occasion to travel over significant areas and observe," he said.

During the next decade, he took students to Israel for several summers to learn biblical Hebrew; since retirement he has been more active with Christian Peacemaker Teams, an organization supported by Quaker, Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations that trains people on nonviolent ways to resolve the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.

The co-chairman of the Israel Independence Day Festival Hawai'i was equally surprised by the timing of the events, though happy to hear that the dialogue is focusing on peaceful solutions.

"Wonderful!" said Matthew Sgan. "That's what we're striving for."

He sees the festival as a chance to spread the message of peace in a different way: "Our goal in the festival is not political — though it is," Sgan said. "We want to make a statement to Israel, support them in their plight. ... 'Shalom' is the most used word in Israel, and shalom is what they're seeking."

Sgan bristled at the contention that the Israeli government is "militarized."

"Israel is a democracy; they're elected," he said, adding that he's "neither a scholar or theologian," and that he was speaking for himself rather than the festival.

"Maybe they're forced to be military. ... Some military people know (best) the tragedy of war, and are a peace-seeking people."

The harder question is whether a Palestinian state is viable. Bush says it is necessary, and Sgan says he believes the Palestinians have not earned the right to be called a nation.

"It sounds nice in theory, but a warlike Palestinian state still holding grudges and (with) state-sponsored terrorism may be even worse for Israel," Sgan said.

Both men were happy to have the spotlight on a topic that needs thoughtful illumination.

"It's part of our purpose to get peace in Mideast on the front burner, and to support Israel," Sgan said. "Jewish opinion is not monolithic. ... There's a spectrum of opinion on what should be done — practical solutions, concessions, right-wing/left-wing, all kinds of orientation. We have terrific debate and quarrels in our own community. Discussion and debate is part of the nature of the Jewish community."

Bush doesn't put the onus of peace entirely on Israel, either. For a viable peace, he said, both communities need to buy into the peace process.

"I graduated from Brandeis, a Jewish university, and have great respect for Jewish ethics," he said. "Jews were at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the '60s. The actions of the militarized Israeli government is in utter violation of the Jewish community's concern for justice and peace. Most of the information I have and cite in lectures come from Jewish sources in Israel and the U.S. opposed to actions of Israeli government. ... It's made things far worse for Israelis themselves. They've fomented these suicide attacks. And if it isn't safe for Israel, it isn't safe for the U.S. either."

Bush said suicide bombing by Palestinians also must be stopped.

"There is no violent solution," he said. "Violence must stop, and reasonable people must sit down and find a solution that is just for both sides. Yet the Israeli government has taken the position there is nobody to talk to on the Palestinian side. That, in my estimation, is patently absurd."

Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at 525-8035 or mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com.