Day 6: Swords into Plowshares

Today was a day spent on borders. I have included some maps, so you can understand the size and nature of Israel, in comparison to California, and then its locations in regards to other countries. It blew my mind to be driving around today and staring across borders of other countries, especially countries with which Israel has a very volatile relationship. Although we drove along side Jordan to arrive in Galilee, it was only today that I realized how close we are to so many countries. Israel is a small country. It is not easy to notice when you look at a map up close, but it is actually smaller than Lake Michigan, and you can drive the entire country in a day. As we drove around today, the remnants of past wars could be seen along side the road. In signs that posted danger of mines, in abandoned bunkers, and in tanks and military patrol vehicles that are constantly vigilant of the two countries that border them.


I feel very fortunate to have the guide that we do. He is very knowledgeable about the area and the history that has lead the country to look the way it does. Much of our mid-day conversation surrounded the Golan Heights and Israel’s relationship with Syria. It makes such a huge difference in understanding the conflict that the Golan Heights presents when you can actually see it in person. You can begin to see the strategic and defensive value in having a place like the Golan Heights, when you are standing upon its ridges staring down at Israel on one side and Syria on the other. As with many things I have been writing about, there is no easy answer as to what should happen with the Golan Heights. The one thing that has been very powerful for me is the education in the history and seeing first hand the locations and how they exist in proximity to everything else.

In the latter part of the afternoon we were joined by a former Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Colonel, Kobi Marom, who was the Brigade Commander of the Eastern Front, South Lebanon. He gave us a very detailed tour along the Lebanese Border sharing with us his expertise and knowledge of the First and Second Lebanon War, and the current situation between Israel and Lebanon. To be able to have someone who had experienced the battles of the wars was very informative. The Colonel also shared his perspective on the current diplomatic issues that Israel faces with different countries in the world including ours. They all tied back to Iran, and the dangers of its nuclear proliferation, which hopefully are not news for you. He shared that the issue of Iran’s attempt to develop nuclear technology, should not just be something that Israel is concerned about, but one that the whole world needs to be concerned about. He shared the realities of the current armament of Hezbollah and the dangers that face Israel because of that. As I mentioned earlier, Israel is a small country, and due to the close proximity of these countries, one could throw a stone and break a window in another country. With rockets one can do far more damage. It seems to me that the question of peace has just gotten a lot harder.


To enhance our tours alongside the Israeli borders, we were joined with several IDF soldiers, who shared their personal experiences in serving in the army. Two female soldiers joined us early in the morning, and will be spending about a day and a half with us. As we were going to different sites of former battles, I asked one of them, Liora Manelis, if she knew all of the information we were getting from our guide. She answered, “Of Course, you need to know where you were, to know where you are going!” She stressed the importance of knowing one’s history, in order to make the right stand and make it well. Knowing her history is vital for her to serve in the army, because how can she fight for a nation that she knows nothing about. Hearing her say this reemphasizes the importance of studying our own US History. It is not something that we as Americans should take for granted, but unfortunately how many of the US Citizens can actually tell you about the important aspects of our US History?



At the end of our day we sat down for dinner with six other IDF soldiers who are working on the front lines along the borders, in the most vulnerable areas of Israel. This was probably the most enlightening not only for myself, but I hope also for the soldier who I shared a meal with, Ido Amar. One of the struggles that Ido shared with me at dinner was his thought that all Americans think that they are baby killers. When we asked him why it was that he thought that way, he responded that it was the way that the news portrays the IDF. He also shared that a number of soldiers believe that the reason Obama is being so harsh on Israel was because he is a Muslim. This idea again, as we Americans know, came from the US media. We were very quick to explain the misconceptions that the media had put out there, but just like toothpaste out of a tube, once its out, you can’t put it back in without making a mess. Too often does the media make a mess of situations when pulled out of context and are far from accurate. These two examples are excellent case in points. Obama is not a Muslim, and all IDF soldiers are not baby killers. It is a tragedy that it is so hard to find quality unbiased news media anymore, and that so many people make presumptions on the news that they do receive, which has lead to much hate and violence towards another group. It is impossible to escape, so how do we find accurate information about situations, before passing judgment on the situations and how they occur?

Again, I am at a place with many questions and few answers. But I am not left without hope. Another stop along the way today was the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. The passage reads:

Matthew 5
1 AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blesses are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

As I sat there on the Mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee, I thought of Jesus. I thought about all that he worked and died for. Perhaps I haven’t been the only one asking the questions of peace and justice, because here Jesus seems to be addressing them. They may not be concrete answers, but then again when did Jesus ever give concrete answers? Although he may not be offering me answers, he does offer me hope. And as I stand on these hills of land mines and tanks, I pray as the prophet Isaiah prayed centuries ago. I pray that, ‘He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.’ Is. 2:4