https://hir.harvard.edu/cyprus-and-israel-lessons-for-lasting-peace-in-the-eastern-mediterranean/
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Divided as they are, for the People of Israel and the People of Cyprus, most certainly there will be no solution without taking into account that the dwellers in Israel have lived together in effect for thousands of years, or, as in Cyprus, that Cypriots are also considered, (and at a cross road to three continents), as also having lived under subjugation, as a culture still surviving, for as long. As in the Ukraine, watching it in the process of being torn up, in this problem too, the Problem is exposed to be the same for all of them.
Indeed as Persons they differ, yet their extremes see the solution through brutal force toward each other.
(...how convenient for "Them", the other half their hapless victims mostly unarmed and civilians.)
Where is the Humanity beyond that, once a People are divided? Where is our/their Basic Human Rights, the Peoples' representation as Individuals; without further distinctions or discrimination, equals in defending the values and Universal Principles that make it so (without them united)?
...hijacked, the Agenda.
Must Cypriots be "Greek"? Must Turcophones be "Turkish"? Must Israelis be (only) Jewish? And Russians, not "Russians", in the Ukraine (and in Russia), don't they exist?
...i ask the readers to recall that the USA is a BBF (Bizonal Bicommunal Federation); as a Modern concept, (just predating the French Revolution) it was the very first as a matter of fact. That within a State (where there exists a Rule of Law and Good Government), Individuals are Free to express their thoughts without fear, to travel and to associate accordingly. And, having constituencies (at another level of government), this Liberty, as Persons, allows for such distinct identities to thrive, to share in Goodwill and in Good Faith, as Majorities recognising and respecting the Minorities that live among them by providing in their Agenda these special needs as well.
So it is that intentions count.
In Cyprus, i am hoping it is the beaches Cypriots will take to make souvla together at their own "picnics" this summer, to demonstrate themselves to be a loving people; one as such: that would make a most hopeful change and a fine example difficult to ignore. I suggest in Israel the same may occur, demonstrations of Israelis, Arabs and Jews wanting change, because it will expose those against such a notion, the "Jews" and "Arabs" (as they define themselves; to be unable of such tolerance). It will become that much more difficult for "Them" to dismiss (in effect about half the voting population in either case) as insignificant and too few to matter, the People seen to be united (in this way); that too is a great step forward.
...yes, i am hopeful (still) having Faith in the notion of 'Us', as those not "Them".
And in the Ukraine at this moment three men of great talent will decide their own fate, as Heroes, by ending the(ir) Problem(s) with a Political model that they all know too well, a BBF, (a solution, that is by all of us defined as "perfect"; in Freedom where an Individual is most clearly defined to be no different to any other Individual and in Liberty that as Persons they (these Citizens) at another level of government are given the capacity to demonstrate this respect and trust toward each other accordingly: perfect because all countries may emulate its values, held in such esteem), or, as failures these men will have to live with this infamy, possibly (one) facing War Crimes as a consequence.
In this Ukraine, these men may change themselves and they may change the world.
(n.b. Erdogan too, now faces the divisiveness of "Turkishness" at home beyond Cyprus, tearing at the very fabric of his own State; in his own Constitutional reform, (with an end to the Problem; recognising Cypriots as well, while uniting Ukraine) will he redefine "Turks" on time for Turkey's Centennial in two years: will a BBF do just fine in Turkey too?). (And of Putin having sacked Russia's Democracy, (to be a lesser BBF, and one far more militaristic); this "Russianness" not having demonstrated itself to be better for him, what will he change it to, again? (With a better BBF in Russia, like a better BBF in Turkey and the Ukraine will he save himself from infamy?)
Or, is it Zelinskiy who will cave,? Under their powerful influence, around such men, the constant pressure to choose; unable to see a change in them ultimately becoming them, to reach no further than "Ukrainians" in war and as a State, (depending on men like "them" to defend his "side" with as much brutality toward his own civilians): while "being" Ukrainian is far more complex? (...the answer to this question, if "They" remain unchanged i fear most of all.)
Change (as in intentions) would seem imminent, everywhere, at this extraordinary moment, what with the existential questions we face as a race called Human, what with real enemies like Hunger and Disease to fight; we should not be fighting each other (lest we Forget): Ignorance perhaps is the greatest enemy of all.
...the Problem is the problem (or is it the other way around?); in Cyprus, and in Israel, (in Turkey), primarily, as in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya, and now soon to be it seems in the Ukraine: our world missing the point as yet splitting 'us' in two. As Martin Luther King said, beyond desegregation is integration, and as Rev. Tutu said, "This" must stop; two men who know the Problem well, it is something to think about all around.
(dare i say as an example, and in the USA: the Problem; "Americans" abound who consider Americans not like "them" to be un-American, enemies of "their" State.)
Let's remember Solomon in his wisdom did not tear the baby in two.
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