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June 29, 2001/Tamuz 8, 5761, Vol. 53, No.39
Finding the center
BARRY COHEN
Editor
I often feel powerless to do anything about the apparent hopeless state of affairs in Israel. Terrorist attacks seem an inevitability, not a question of "if" but a matter of "when." Politically, I once stood strongly on the left; I now feel forces beyond my control pushing me to the right.
William Butler Yeats wrote: "Turning and turning/Within a widening gyre ... Things fall apart/The center cannot hold."
In February, I interviewed a source for an article about Arab-Jewish dialogue. Off the record, he asked me, "Why do you want to foster dialogue? What are you trying to accomplish?" I could not answer. I naively viewed dialogue as a starting point for greater understanding and change, not needing to be defended.
A few weeks ago, I learned how I should have answered, from a man of courage and conviction. An Arab Muslim. I had read his letter to the editor of the Arizona Muslim Voice, a monthly newspaper. Here's the context: On March 2, we wrote about the Multicultural Yellow Pages, a local business directory published by Marwan Ahmad, editor of the Arizona Muslim Voice. The directory denies Israel's existence: Its maps omit the state of Israel; Hebrew is not listed among world languages.
In the April issue of the Arizona Muslim Voice, Ahmad published a defense to the Jewish News story, and in the May issue, Valley resident Mohamed Jasser replied in a letter that in part distinguished between advocacy and fanaticism: "Advocacy usually has a logic that can be easily ... understood by a disinterested third party. Fanaticism on the other hand, has a logic of its own that is usually found to be foreign or not easily understood ... by disinterested third parties."
Adjacent to Jasser's letter, Ahmad printed his response, entitled, "Who's (sic) side are you on?": "He easily forgets the right of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine and their everyday struggle to survive under the oppressive government of Israel. Recognized by the world or not Mr. Jasser as Muslims we have an obligation to fight our oppressors not join them."
I was intrigued by Jasser's stepping away from the fold to voice his opposition; I was astounded by Ahmad's attempt to shame him for doing so.
When Jasser and I shared our meal, filled with conversation, I asked him how he would have answered the questions about Arab-Jewish dialogue. He responded: We must talk. Never leave the field to those on the extreme. Stand our ground, despite the risk or the pain or the cost.
Yeats' poem continues: "...Innocence is drowned/In anarchy/The best lack conviction ... And the worst are full of passion/Without mercy."
Jews and Arabs of courage must oppose Yeats' dark conclusion. Through conversation, we can build common ground and use personal connections to oppose the forces of fate that strip away our power and push us to advocate positions we once viewed as untenable.
I urge our community to seek dialogue with the local Arab community. Now is the time for the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Community Relations Council, congregational rabbis and lay people to prove Yeats' words false.
The alternative will only strip away one of our strongest allies: hope.
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