Non-violence in the Middle East

by Arun Gandhi

The universal ignorance and misunderstanding that surrounds the philosophy

of non-violence-at least the Gandhian interpretation of it-is due to the

inadequacy of the English language. Taken literally, non-violence means not

using physical violence while ignoring the non-physical violence that we,

individually and collectively, commit every day. This non-physical or

passive violence is more insidious because it generates anger, which leads

to physical violence. Therefore, unless we recognize and deal with our

"passive" violence, we cannot end "physical" violence.

Gandhi's non-violence emphasizes the need to build interpersonal and

international relationships on positive principles of respect,

understanding, acceptance, and appreciation rather than on negative

principles of selfishness and self-interest, as we presently do. This

requires respect for different religions, cultures, nationalities, and

other physical and social characteristics. If respect becomes the basis of

our relationships, violence becomes difficult to practice. Gandhi's

non-violence is also firmly based in love and compassion for all of

creation. Thus, when people question the relevance of non-violence, they

are questioning the relevance of respect, love, and compassion.

Gandhi's non-violence is not a strategy for conflict resolution, nor is it

a weapon to be used when convenient and discarded when not. It is a way of

life, an attitude, and an outlook. One has to live it, practice it, and

think it. Non-violence emphasizes the need to recognize the good in every

individual and to let that good flourish so that the "evil" (anger and

violence) can be suppressed. Gandhi taught me at age twelve that anger is

as useful and powerful as electricity, but only if we use it intelligently.

We must learn to respect anger as we do electricity.

Violence in the Middle East, like violence elsewhere, is manifested in the

hate, prejudice, and selfishness found in us all. Our spirituality is

defined by the same negative attitudes that define our relationships. The

competitiveness we have injected into our religion contains the seeds of

the violence destroying our social fabric today. Can it be changed? Gandhi

said nothing in this world is impossible to achieve if we have the will to

do so.

Historically, we have made many mistakes of which the most devastating is

the religious division of nations such as Ireland, India, and

Palestine/Israel. These partitions have generated hate, prejudice, and

violence on a vast scale with repercussions so extensive as to almost defy

logical conclusions.

Shortly before his assassination on January 30, 1948, Gandhi was asked:

"What is the solution to the Palestine problem?" He replied: "It has become

a problem which seems almost insoluble. If I were a Jew, I would tell them:

'Do not be so silly as to resort to terrorism...' The Jews should meet the

Arabs, make friends with them, and not depend on British aid or American

aid save what descends from Jehovah."

If a solution was difficult in 1948, it is even more so now, although not

impossible. The question in the Middle East, as in India and Ireland, is:

What is the goal for each side? Palestinians and Israelis have tried to

suppress, if not annihilate, each other through violence, which is

impractical and inhuman.

An ideal solution would be for the parties involved to take a more human

approach and, as Gandhi says, befriend each other, work out a mutually

satisfactory solution, and then live in friendship. Since nations have been

divided for so long, putting them back together is virtually impossible.

German unification has often been used as an example, but its division into

East and West was ideological not religious. When the ideological

differences of the two sides were resolved, bonding became easy.

Religious differences cannot be merged so easily; they can only be

respected. As a result, bonding into one nation two disparate religious

groups that have been torn asunder becomes even more difficult. An

equitable solution will be possible only when the people in the countries

in crisis resolve not to become pawns in international power politics.

As long as western powers, particularly the U.S., manipulate smaller

nations for their own purposes, and as long as the people in the

conflicting countries allow themselves to be manipulated, a solution will

be impossible. The U.S. wants Israel to be a strong, dependable partner to

safeguard the supply of oil and, as illustrated by the recent action

against Afghanistan, it (the U.S.) is willing to buy the allegiance of

Pakistan to contain the terrorists.

Politics without principles, Gandhi said, is a deadly sin that contributes

to violence. Unless we allow ourselves to be governed by ethics and values,

respect, and compassion, violence will continue to deplete our lives.

I recently read a bumper sticker that expresses the truth succinctly: "When

the people will lead, the leaders will follow."

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This article was originally written for a CGNews Special Series on

Non-violence in the fall of 2001.

Source: CGNews, November 29, 2001

Visit CGNews website at: http://www.sfcg.org/cgnews/middle-east.cfm

Distributed by the Common Ground News Service.

Copyright permission has been obtained for publication.