On democracy: respect and trust

The world appears to be in a stupor. Every respectable newspaper editorial column wants to project a suitable tone of shock or indignation over the outcome of the past Palestinian election. Of course, democracy is what the West has been preaching to the Middle-East and installing there, rather ironically by force in some cases. Democracy has spoken in Palestine. The people have chosen. Hamas won. Apparently, the election was open and fair. The outcome was surprising; some would say, shocking. But in the end, the world has to respect the Palestinian choice. The world does not have to agree with the newly elected party's agenda or dealings. But the minimum the world can do, is to show respect for the choice of the Palestinian people.

The conflict in the Middle-East cries out for a permanent resolution that will lead to peace and prosperity for Palestine and Israel alike. The tit-for-tat exchange of face slapping between Hamas and Israel will not lead to this goal. Instead, such an approach will lead to the opposite outcome - mutual destruction and perhaps - oh dread - WW3.

Currently, Israel does not talk to Hamas and Hamas does not recognise Israel's right to exist. What a lovely start for a journey towards peace. Underlying these attitudes is one thing: a lack of mutual respect. Fear and disdain do not make for respect. Without respect there cannot be trust and without trust there cannot be lasting peace. The egos are in the way. Both sides have many wounds to show and many grievances upon which to grind their battle axes. But, peace can only be made when egos are buried with the dead of the conflict. When a clear understanding of the futility of sabre rattling and mutual destruction becomes a clear willingness to show respect for the other side, then trust can foster and peace be woven.

Is such a view unbearably naive? Not quite so. South Africa is a good example. The ANC was still a terrorist organisation when the then SA government decided to unban the organisation and allow their members-in-exile back into the country. The rest is a much praised history of reconciliation and reconstruction. Once the two sides stop labeling each other with negative stickers and start to show basic respect, trust develops. Then the issues and the fears can be put on the table and the healing can start. But first the egos must be buried.

Hamas will have to acknowledge Israel, but of their own choice. The birth of the state of Israel was fraud with unfairness; mismanagement by the world and the UN alike, but its existence today is a given and cannot easily or even feasibly be undone. Likewise, Hamas is a given and even though fraud with objectionable behaviour and agendas, will not easily be undone. On top of this, Hamas has won a democratic election in the Palestinian territories. That deserves respect. It is up to Hamas to show Israel basic respect and vise versa. Then the trust-building can start.

The fears and demands of Israel must be put on the table with the hurts and demands of the Palestinians. The sabres must be left outside the negotiating room. Better still, these should be hammered into ploughshares instead.

Hamas and Israel, for the sake of your children, please bury your wounds and egos and learn to respect and trust.