 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
American shares news from Israel
By JEAN JOHNSON SPRING HILL -- "The foundation of the problem today is the two just wanting the same land." That's how Gari-Lynne Crayne sums up current tensions and, indeed, the many years of conflict between Palestinians and Jews in the Middle East. Crayne was the guest speaker this week at the West Hernando/Spring Hill Chapter of Hadassah at Temple Beth David Jewish Center. The goal of the women's Zionist organization is to strengthen the partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realize members' potential as a dynamic force in American society. The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem is one of the world's leading pioneers in medical technology. One of their mottos is: "We wish we could stop the bloodshed, (but) at least we can stop the bleeding." Crayne, who recently worked as a writer, researcher and speaker with the Israel Ministry of Tourism in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was invited to speak about living in Israel, which she did from 1981 to 1999. The 63-year-old native of Detroit also has worked with Kings Bible College, Tantum Ecumenical Institute of Theological Studies and the American Institute of Holy Land Studies, all in Jerusalem, and has held positions at Haifa University. Crayne talked about the geography, education and history of Israel and how residents consider it to be the land of the Bible. She also discussed the pervasiveness of Israel's military requirements: Men and women, upon turning 18, must serve 36 and 21 months, respectively, unless they have a religious or medical reason or the women are married. After service is completed, men must serve in reserve duty units until the age of 40 and women until the age of 26. Family lives are frequently disrupted, considering the need for leaves of absence for students, employees, business owners and heads of household. When Crayne and friends watched the news on television about the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, one of the first things discussed was how Americans would react. Unlike the Israelis, who were used to acts of hatred, Americans had not suffered such a massive blow since the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Crayne talked about how Jews and Arabs have lived together in Israel for centuries. But today "the land is important to the Arabs and important to the Jews," she said. When asked about what drives suicide bombers, Crayne said: "The suicide bomber is overwhelmed with religious fervor. They have no respect for human life, not even their own. The Palestinian teenagers consider them heroes." How can they hope to get approval for such acts? "When the world repeatedly hears how the lives of Arafat's people have been changed for the worse after being cut off from telephones, electricity and water, the hope is that sympathy will go out to Arafat and against Israel," said Crayne. "When the world hears these Arab youths are throwing Molotov cocktails and death-producing rocks and Israel comes after them with tanks, who becomes the underdog?" Does she see change in the future? "I see everything getting more and more intense; I see things coming to a crescendo. All the wars Israel has fought have been for land, and each time they have won and accumulated more land. "There are Jews whose slogan is 'Peace now,' " she said. "In other words, give up some of the land. But when land was offered, the Palestinians didn't accept the offer. Maybe it's part of saving face: all or nothing." Neither side is totally right, she said. "The key hope to bring peace is Jesus Christ when he comes again," she said. "Those serious about walking with him and trusting and obeying him must live out his words in the Bible and be very much involved in carrying out what clearly are the directions that he's given us and be led by the spirit of God." Despite the problems in Israel, she said she would still feel safe there. "In America, there are areas I wouldn't visit alone," she said. "In Israel I am aware of where to go and what detours to make to avoid certain questionable sections."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Hernando Times |
