::::::::
Today's plan is to deliver this message to the AIPAC break out group: Understanding Christian Support for the Jewish State.
It is sent from Abouna [Father] Elias Chacour, the current Archbishop of the Catholic Melkite [Greek] Church of all of the Galilee, Haifa, Acco and Nazareth, who spoke last night at a venue hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace:
"Do not reject the other. Be open. Listen to the story of the other."
I met Abouna Chacour in 2005, and wrote him into my first book in the Chapter:16 Days in Palestine
Everything that follows actually happened, but as I was writing fiction in 2005, my experiences are told through Jack and Terese -but the young one I quote in the following -whose name I have forgotten spoke the words I quoted:
Saturday, June 18, 2005: Meeting with a Three Time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
A half hour late and one or two at a time, the ten straggled into the busy office of Abouna Elias Chacour. The Melkite priest, who was a three-time Nobel nominee, a 1948 refugee, and the founder of Mars Elias Educational Institute in Ibillin, welcomed them warmly and invited them to sit around the conference table in front of his desk.
"Tell me why you have come here and what you hope to do. Then, I will share my story with you."
The youngest of the group said, "I want the win-win. I want peace for everyone, and I know it starts with every individual. I want to be the change I want to see in the world. I live in peace with everyone and I want the win-win."
Abouna Cahcour roared, "Yes, exactly! This is the only way: win-win for everyone. Anytime someone has to be right, there is oppression. With a win-win, there are always human rights. My school serves forty-five hundred interfaith children, and the criteria for employment here is an open mind and open heart for all of Abraham's sons and daughters."
Jack thought Chacour looked and spoke like an Old Testament prophet; he had a long gray beard and a huge presence, packaged in a middle-aged spread. Jack often heard music in his head; and it was U2 this time:
Lay down your guns
All your daughters of Zion,
All your Abraham sons.
I don't know if I can take it,
I'm not easy on my knees.
Here's my heart; you can break it.
I need some release
Release
Release
We need Love and Peace
Chacour mesmerized his audience. "I am a Palestinian Israeli who lives for peace and reconciliation. The problem here is not about the land. There is a blockage between Arabs and Jews. It must end. We need to explore a third way to rise above the conflict. There are three million Palestinians living in refugee camps! This injustice must come to an end. Once, we Jews and Arabs were partners and friends. The only way out of this conflict is to rise above it. You Americans are still too young! You think money and weapons solve problems! Only love and respect can do that. You reach for the moon, but not your neighbor. What we need from you Americans are smiles of hope. We need you to plant hope. We need you to visit us, so that we would know we are not alone. Do simple things, and always do them with a smile. Don't rely too much on God! You know what He wants; now, DO IT!"
Terese thought, do something, do something, do something, but what?
