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A Plea for Peace
Keren Arbel is a very good friend. She is an Israeli Buddhist and a long time Buddhist scholar and teacher. She recently posted this open letter on facebook and I believe it is well worth sharing and reading.
The first thought I had when I woke up yesterday morning was “Enough!” This was before I realized that Iran had attacked Israel overnight. Enough of being pawns in a game of political power fueled by hatred, aggression, and violence. The situation here is unbearably hard. The loss, pain, and fear on both sides are immense and beyond words. Yet, we continue to be governed by interests, creeds, and perceptions that perpetuate and feed terror and animosity.
Enough! Let’s choose a different path, one that promotes peace. Because in the end, those who suffer, are injured, and lose are us — the people. I don’t know what making peace will look like or how long it will take to bring about a life of peace and tranquility in this tormented place, nor do I have a plan of action. But I do know that we can choose to walk this path.
The conflict over this land, between the two nations that live here, has been relentless and bloody for many years. It carries a history of trauma on both sides. I hesitate to write more at this moment because our opinions about it rise and…
