ROME (FIDES/CWNews.com) - Several recent developments in the Middle East have suggested that change may be in the air. Israel has withdrawn its troops from southern Lebanon. Bashar el Assad has succeeded his father as Syria's leader. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators continue to explore peace possibilities. The Barak government in Israel appears to be fragile. Christians and Jews in the region have been drawn closer together by the March visit of Pope John Paul II.
For all these reasons, the FIDES news service sought an expert's perspective on the opportunities for peace in the Middle East. FIDES spoke with Father David Jaeger, OFM, a convert from Judaism, who had only recently returned to Rome from Jerusalem. Father Jaeger has been close to the negotiations between the Vatican and Israel; he helped to prepare the Basic Agreement that established diplomatic relations between the two bodies.
The text of the FIDES interview follows:
FIDES: Father Jaeger the Middle East peace process would appear to have its weak point in Israel.
FATHER JAEGER: Changes in the composition of the Israeli government are a source of concern. The central-left party Meretz, which has abandoned the coalition, was the one most committed to peace and safeguarding human rights, including of course those of Christians. But even more concerning is the fact that while the Meretz has left the government, the ultra-theocratic Shas party, with its ambiguous positions regarding the peace process, remains. It should be said that this party made a great thing of refusing to take any part whatsoever in the events of Pope John Paul II's visit to the Holy Land from start to finish.
FIDES: Many criticize Barak for financial aid to ultra-orthodox Jewish schools and the Shas' radio, in exchange of support for his government.
FATHER JAEGER: Nevertheless Prime Minister Barak has acquired an extra period for maneuvers to attempt to conclude peace negotiations with his Palestinian neighbors. After which, with the peace accord in his hands, he will be in a better position to go to elections and ask for the citizens' support. Actually elections are still three years away, but this shaky government makes an earlier vote almost inevitable.
FIDES: Would an early vote guarantee success for Barak?
FATHER JAEGER: If Barak goes to the elections with a peace accord he will win. It should not be forgotten that surveys show most Israelis support Barak's plan for peace, which follows that of late prime minister Itzhak Rabin. The present difficulties are due to the fact that these popular preferences fail to reflect the actual composition of parliament. If peace is made, in Israel there will be inevitably a face to face battle between the secular and the theocratic wing. For now, the secular parties Labor and Meretz have bent to the demands of theocratic parties to keep the government alive and continue the peace process. But sooner or later the battle with the theocratic camp will have to be waged.
FIDES: Shimon Perez dreams of a Middle East common market, like the European Union.
FATHER JAEGER: Yes, but before this, peace with neighbors must be made, and the peace process at present navigates in difficult waters. Israel and Palestine still hold very different position. Particularly regarding Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories. Palestine calls for total retreat as laid down in the United Nations Security Council's resolution 242 (which recalls that territory may not be taken by force); Israel rejects this, and most definitely regarding Jerusalem.
At present Israeli settlers are staging a new wave of anti-Barak protests. There are 150,000 West Bank settlers, including 6,000 in Gaza--a force not to be underestimated. Following the assassination of Rabin (on November 4, 1995), they opted for a degree of moderation, but now they are angry. Courage and vision are needed. The solution would appear difficult, but not impossible.
If Prime Minister Barak reaches a peace accord, almost 100 years of fighting between Arabs and Jews would come to a close. Even if Israel has to make many concessions to the Palestinians, the people of Israel are sure to stand by Barak.
Catholic World News - Feature