Is Obama’s Defining Moment Slipping Away?

Byron A. Ellis – January 01, 2009

CNN reported that an Israeli air strike on a Palestinian refugee camp killed a Palestinian commander. The report placed no emphasis on the atrocity of bombing a refugee camp, where innocent civilians take refuge. When poor nations attack refugee camps, Western countries quickly label the attacks as war crimes against humanity.

Of course, they will not label Israel’s attacks on refugee camps as war crimes. And, therein lie the uneven justice and the tilt of Western nations towards apartheid Israel. This unfair leaning towards injustice creates more world anger and Islamic vengeance against innocent westerners.

It is important for the West to be fair and recognize that history shows that weapons and force alone does not guarantee that apartheid nations will prevail. Peace is about coexistence, and coexistence requires compromises and accommodations, such as zero rockets into Israel for no economic blockage of Gaza.

And, Israel is not the only culprit blockading Gaza. Egypt is equally culpable; Egypt should do the right thing and open its borders.

The apartheid regime of South Africa had the weapons and also nuclear capability, but the ANC prevailed. And, unlike the Afrikaners, the ANC was magnanimous and accommodated the former oppressors. The continuous subjugation of Palestine might not lead to an ANC-like accommodation.

Western support for injustices, particularly against brown, yellow, and black people if not halted, will overtime cause a worldwide division that will be difficult to mend and outcomes that are unpredictable.

Thus, it is important to be evenhanded with both Palestine and Israel, and not to marginalize Hamas. Relationships can be improved by adhering to the law of reciprocity, and that rule would have brought peace, albeit unstable, if Israel had not choked off trade with Gaza. Curtailing trade is war, and Israel and the West know that well.

This foolish Western propensity of not engaging with enemies is stupidity at the highest degree. In Matt. 5:43-48, Jesus tells us “ You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reagan recognized that it was foolish to marginalized China. Although, he had long been a political champion for Taiwan and believed that the government that fled to Taiwan in 1949 was the legitimate government of China. However, in building a relationship with China, he made it clear that the U.S would not retreat from its alliance with Taiwan.

The Same process can be apply to Palestine, the U.S. can build a relationship with Palestine and not retreat from its relationship with Israel, while being firm with them to become a inclusive society where Arabs and Jews have equal access to opportunities. If the U.S. had continued being a segregationist nation, Mr. Obama’s would have not had the opportunity to become President of the United States.

Given President-elect Obama and Michelle’s understanding of the roots of American segregation and South African’s apartheid, how can they support and build a strong relationship with a modern apartheid regime? If they do, their credibility will diminish among American blacks, Hispanics, Muslims and Asians.

Thus far, the incoming administration silence is far reaching and defeating to their base, including progressive whites.

Americans and the rest of the world need to visualize and hear Obama’s leadership in this conflict now. This is his defining moment; his leadership now, not tomorrow, can bring an end to the conflict today, since Israel will not act without a wink from the U.S.

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