By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM–Yehuda Amichai, one of Israel’s great poets with a particular attachment to Jerusalem, has written: “The air over Jerusalem is saturated with prayers and dreams like the air over cities with heavy industry. It’s hard to breathe.” Many of us thrive in this heavy air. By contrast, the pollution that’s really toxic comes from what masquerades as patriotism and fidelity to history under the banner, “Jerusalem – Israel’s eternal and undivided capital.” It’s Jewish chauvinism in the guise of piety.
That pollution will be especially in evidence on Sunday, May 17. It’ll include “in your (Palestinian) face” flag-waving when ostensibly devout Jews will march through Arab quarters reminiscent of the Orange parades through the Catholic districts of Belfast.
Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, celebrates the city’s reunification in the wake of the 1967 Six Day War. The occasion has been hijacked by Israel’s political right and its many supporters in the Diaspora; the march is one of its manifestations. The day celebrates not only Israel’s victory 48 years ago but also the continued incursions by government policies that promote the building of new Jewish neigbourhoods as well as individual initiatives that infiltrate established Arab areas.
In recent years, however, more thoughtful and caring Jewish and Arab citizens have tried to mark the day by reaffirming their commitment to wholesome coexistence. I attended a meeting a few days ago at which several speakers sought to describe ways in which Arabs and Jews can work together and respect each others’ rights, even if the politicians don’t get it, and even if the existing situation is far from perfect.
The bad news wasn’t ignored. Israeli incursions were listed together with the terrorist incidents by Palestinians that have taken innocent lives and maimed survivors. But it was also stressed that the overwhelming majority of Jerusalemites, Arabs no less than Jews, want to live in peace with each other. Thanks to their efforts, Jerusalem is still one of the safest cities in the Middle East.
I sense it in daily life here and I’m particularly conscious of it when taking around visitors from abroad. They’re invariably surprised and grateful for the peace that prevails despite what they read back home and despite the occasional incidents.
What of the future? Jerusalem is bound to be the most contentious item in any peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, as both sides are adamant that it must be the capital of their state. That’s why the matter must be left as the last item to be dealt with when, we pray, talks will resume one day. In the meantime the uncomfortable status quo prevails. Though extremists on both sides want to use it to make life miserable for the others, the overwhelming majority seems prepared to make the best notwithstanding the present uncertainty.
When everything else has been settled, a solution to the Jerusalem situation will also be found. One way is to persuade Israelis to pretend that a part of the city isn’t really Jerusalem and for Palestinians to establish their capital there. There’re several versions recommending such an approach with access to the Old City from both sides.
At present, alas, all that is far off. Coexistence now, however flawed and fractured, is the only way to survive, even to thrive, for the some 750 000 Jews, Muslims, Christians and others who call this city home.
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. Now living in Jerusalem, he can receive your comment at dow.marmur@sdjewishworld.com, or you may post your comment on this website, provided that the rules below are observed.
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From 1947 till 1967 Jerusalem was divided and there was no peace. Jews were not even allowed into our holiest of sites. Synagogues in the occupied Jewish areas were demolished or desecrated. To this day the Arabs will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and work to its destruction. When polled Israeli Arabs expressed a desire to remain part of Israel rather than an Arab state. Jerusalem should stay united as one city under Israeli rule. — Jerome Liner, Cincinnati, Ohio