[The Key Problem of the Middle East - And its Solution]   

The Concept from which all problems flow: Two peoples trying to divide a single land/despite the fact that Israelis are scattered about the West Bank and Gaza, and more than one million Palestinians reside in Israel proper.

The Solution: to Change the concept and 'SHARE THE LAND'!'
       
    My dear fellow human beings;

Once, in the Middle-East, there came to be a land shared by two peoples. Since each saw the other as 'the enemy' they did nothing but fight.

When the situation became desperate and seemingly hopeless there appeared on the scene a holyman. He came from the desert, perhaps a hermit, certainly a mystic - in any case a man to be listened to and followed. His name happened to be... Nel-SON(of)MAN-dela.

Upon his arrival he went immediately to the leaders of the two warring sides. "From where do you come, oh Teacher?" they asked.

"From the Prophet Abraham's birthplace, the land of Ur."

"And what is the land of Ur?" they wanted to know.

"The land of U-niversal R-eason - a place beyond thought and emotion."

"And how can this help us?"

"If you listen in good faith it will aid you to see the truth and to act accordingly."

"And what is this truth?" they both asked together.

"That the Devil of hate has tricked you into thinking you are different."

"But he is an Arab, a Muslim, a Palestinian... alien!" exclaimed one.

"But he is a Jew, an Israeli... enemy!" cried the other.

"You are both Semites, descended from Abraham's sons, "Ismael and Isaac." In the other, unseen world I see you without your 'kalifa', Yasser, but with a 'yarmulka' and 'tallis'. You look perfectly Jewish."

"But...."

"And you, Ariel, the letters of your name, rearranged, spell 'Ali-er', follower of Ali, gateway to the inner realm of the Prophet, Muhammad."

"What kind of crazy formula is that?"

"If you think that's crazy, try this," replied Nel-son (of) Man-dela . "PiR*"

"What's that!"

"Pi e are squared.... P for Palestinians; I for Israelis (for P-akistanis and I-ndians too) squared - that is, astrologically, at odds, opposed. Also, it is the formula for the area of a circle, in this case a circle of violence. A pie, with each slice being contested"

"Far out!" A and Y each fell back a place, eyeing the other warily, searching out new chinks in the other's psychological armour. "Is there something we can do?"

Nelson, the holy man drew himself up to his full height and threw them a piercing glance. "You can stop the nonsense and commandeer the most respected men and women in your communities, the media too, and have them repeat the following message over and over again to your respective populations and the world at large - particularly that Great Power across the ocean to the West.... It should go something like this:" [The Key Problem of the Middle East - And its Solution] Perception of Problem: Two peoples trying to divide a single land Solution: Change the perception! 'Share the land! (Suggested Address to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples by the President of the United States - or a communique by a group of world figures of the highest moral stature

"My dear fellow human beings;

Please stop the killing! Surely you inhabitants of 'The Holy Land' are aware that God's mercy precedes his wrath....! Are you not - Jews and Muslims - both 'Abrahamic' peoples? Are you not both 'Semites'? Most importantly, are you not monotheistic peoples...? Do you not both practice circumscision? Do you not pray, fast, offer charity? Do you not strive to know God? What greater brotherhood exists than this...? What then is the problem? Why does your wrath precede your mercy?

May we suggest that it arises from two practices (weaknesses) common in the life of Man. Firstly.... The use of 'labels'. Secondly.... 'Living in the past'.

Here is our strongly urged solution to this problem. The effects can be both immediate and long-lasting. It requires but an initial act of courage - and a dash of humility -before your Maker. It requires forgetting egos and politics and lifting your sights to new thought-forms.

Imagine - if you dare -a country called 'Monistan' where the use of the labels 'Israeli' and 'Palestinian', 'Jew', 'Muslim' and 'Christian', are forbidden. All citizens are to be called 'Monistanis' - meaning lovers of God and his precepts - thus emphasizing likenesses rather than differences. No, don't laugh or get angry! Remember, the prophets accomplished similar feats. Amalgamating, blending, always with God as the solvent. Is it not worth the effort of sitting together - particularly when the bloody alternatives are considered? If that is so, then what remains to be overcome are the cultural clashes of the past.

Who killed whom? The claim on which lands is older? The holy places are whose property? Admittedly these questions seem anger-provoking, deep and hard to assuage . In reality they are nothing but the divisive relics of the past.

So, if you must live in the past, why not concentrate on the 'shared' past, the spiritual past? Begin with Abraham, father of Ismael and Isaac - according to both the Koran and the Old Testament. Continue on to Moses and Muhammad. Here are three of the five recognized major prophets; Jesus and Noah being the other two; (Peace and blessings be upon them all.) Are you not all his descendants, including your Christian brothers through their own Prophet from the house of David?

Since no person who calls himself religious can disagree with this, let the major religious scholars, leaders and mystics testify as to the truth of the afore-mentioned comments and the 'oneness' of God. Is not the command of God to man that we should follow His precepts and recommendations, as brought to us by the prophets? Is it not the will of God that we be allowed to choose whether to turn toward Him (and oneness) or away? Surely Satan can tell you about the efficacy of disunity and emnity in 'his' world.

Which path then will you choose, Messrs. Aarafat, Sharon and the leaders to come? If the answer is not crystal-clear ask the little children - your dear children and the child within your own breast. (Be ye as little children.) If you choose wisely they will thank you now and in generations to come. If you surrender your egos and your fears to Him - and to oneness - what need is there to divide this holy country? That's right! No need to divide!!

In the absence of a Solomon what mind is wise enough to do this properly? Try instead to have wise hearts. Share the land, keep it 'one' and see your problems melt before your very eyes. See if you are not, in truth, brothers without need of contrived formulas and land divisions (often imposed from outside) in order to live in peace and harmony. Yes, share the land, one land! You owe it to yourselves, your constituents and to the world.... Surely a merciful God wants you to do no less!

Once again, consider: One land called 'Monistan'. One side instead of two. When most are 'right', few are 'left' to fight.... Say it over and over again, to yourselves and each other. "Monistan! We are 'Monistanis', not Muslims, Jews and Christians; not Arabs, Palestinians, Israelis." (Incidently, the Great Power to the West - America - is well-disposed toward countries ending in 'istan' just now and will, no doubt, throw money in your direction.)

Let 'time' become your friend rather than your enemy. Perhaps it will little-by-little fire your brain cells, your hearts - and those of the world. The lessons of the past, truly learned, - it is said - provide for a better future. Certainly, in times like these, 'Monistan' seems like a strange idea (until you consider the dreadful alternatives). So did Judaism, Christianity, Islam seem strange. At first! But, if you can make it work, many will be in your debt; both your compatriots and others. Think what a model you might be for the remnants of Yugoslavia, of Central Asia; the bickering forces of Africa, South America... everywhere.

So, 'Long live a unified, prosperous and peaceful 'Monistan'! Light of a better world. A true Holy Land - whole -now and forever. "

Now 'N'-elson, 'A'-riel and 'Y'-asser stood close together, contemplating the possibilities unleashed by this devine message. "We are N, A and Y," pointed out the son of Man, "saying 'nay' to war and hate, promugating only Love."

Yasser and Ariel shuddered for a moment. Then their expressions melted. "What can we do to help?" they asked in one voice.

"Be your true selves and alter your names accordingly," answered Nelson from a distance. Already he had begun fading back into the desert. "What 'are' your true names?"

" 'Yes, sir', " answered Arafat, the Semite, startled by his own words.

" 'Shar(right)on,' " replied Ariel, the Semite, not to be outdone.

As Nelson completely disappeared they fell into each other's arms. "Remember," came his disembodied voice , "if you revert to your old ways, I will still be 'Nel', but you two will be 'nil' - and so may your tribes!"

At this the two Semites untangled themselves and scurried off to alert the world to the healing words of the son of Man.

AN AMERICAN 'MONOTHEIST' 

THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER: 

"When men turn their backs on God they often begin to fight 'in the name of Religion' ".

"For hundreds of years the Jews fled European Christendom to survive and prosper in Islamic lands. Since the creation of Israel what has changed?"

P.S. If you find these ideas valuable please pass them along to the proper government officials, or the media.

ªªªªª