A Vision of Peace in the Holy Land

I first visited the Holy Land several years ago. It was a time of eager anticipation as I thought of being where Jesus had lived, of walking where Jesus had walked. It was also a time filled with anxiety. As Regional Director of the Middle East and North Africa for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) at that time, I had heard from fellow CRS staff of the daily toll that living in the Holy Land took on them as they experienced the uncertainties and hardship of the Palestinian communities as a result of the occupation and the fear among the Israelis at the threat of suicide bombings.

Issues of Justice and Conflict

As the visit unfolded and I heard the many personal stories, my anticipation and anxiety turned to sorrow and, at times, anger. How could these stories happen in this land of all lands? What could be done to end the cycle that seemed to be continually perpetuated?

CRS has been present in the region for over 50 years, dedicated to alleviating the suffering caused by both natural and man-made disasters and promoting human development. But we — like many humanitarian organizations, both secular and faith-based — have also found it is important to ask fundamental questions about issues of justice and conflict in the places where we serve. We have found that unless we also address peace, those we seek to serve risk losing all of the gains that development has to offer.

Therefore, we believe there will never be peace in the Holy Land without justice. What would justice look like in the Holy Land?

A Framework for Peace

It starts with the understanding that there is no justice for the Palestinians separate from the Israelis; nor is there justice for Israelis separate from Palestinians. This is critical in such a polarized environment, with winners and losers delineated by nationality and religious lines. These issues have taken on an even higher profile as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's health raises questions about future leadership in Israel and both Israel and Palestine face upcoming elections.

If peace cannot be had for one people without the other, it is also true that Israelis and Palestinians cannot break the cycle of violence by themselves. The United States plays a critical role. So do the churches in the United States. One exciting and unprecedented initiative that seeks to do just that is the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East. Through this initiative, religious leaders from Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths have offered “Twelve Urgent Steps for Peace in the Middle East.”

These steps lay out a step-by-step framework for peace. They unequivocally condemn killing of innocents and call for an end to all acts of violence. They support a viable, independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with enduring peace and security for both peoples. They call on both Israelis and Palestinians to work together for peace with benchmarks and ideas for peace agreements that could be acceptable to majorities on both sides. The initiative also urges the US government to work to revive the peace process.

Everyone Has a Stake in This

There are many ways to contribute to these efforts. One fundamental way is to pray for peace — peace that will fill our hearts with love and a desire for reconciliation as only a gift from God can. Secondly, since the good of peace is closely linked to the development of people, contribute to programs that allow the local economies to benefit those who are the most vulnerable. Third, become involved with programs such as the interreligious initiative that calls for members of all faiths to work together for peace. Fourth, encourage our elected officials to support peace through political and economic assistance. Invite Israeli and Palestinian speakers to share with you their experiences and accompany them on this road to peace.

For me, the Christmas season is not only about the birth of Jesus. It is also about the Wise Men who searched for Him Who is the Prince of Peace. We, too, are searching for peace in the land that for Jews, Muslims and Christians is, and forever will be, holy. My prayer for 2006 is that we, like they, will not only build peace, but that we will find peace.

Christine Tucker is the Director of Peacebuilding Initiatives, US Operations, for Catholic Relief Services. She previously served as the Regional Director of the Middle East and North Africa for CRS, based in Cairo.

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