9/11 Angels do not smile

I distresses me to approach this date I dare not write for fear of this sad anniversary celebration.
I remember a few words that I was petrified blood:
“I hope to live, I hope to live, I hope to live …”
I will never forget that day or nothing in the world had no meaning for me.
I was content to watch without thinking I almost forgot who I was and where I was.
I saw the same images scrolled before me evidence to take your breath away, I do not even reacting,
I felt tears flow as I could not control not, I had bad stomach pains like when I watched the film “Schindler’s List” and “The Pianist”.
Irrevocably was an earthquake of magnitude 10 on the Richter scale.
When I awoke, I felt an aftertaste that I can not explain here for fear of waking the next morning with no memories and sometimes haunted my nights.
What’s more, hoping that the pain was not long that they have been well received up there, and they have forgiven what has been done down here.
Peace be upon them daily that their family does not keep the legacy and that their heart is inhabited by forgiveness.
The next day, I turn on the TV and I immediately put it out.
I realize that what I saw yesterday was unfortunately the reality, every time I see the images unspeakable, I avert my eyes so as not to relive this nightmare. I stop there! …
I lift my eyes toward heaven that I see? angels! one of them out to me:
Angel: Do not be sad, it is up there is just a coincidence that day.
Bertrand: I do not understand!
Angel: the association of past mistakes and hatred of others that led to it.
Bertrand: but how can you say so, after what happened!
Angel: It’s the voice of wisdom that guides us
Bertrand: you have forgiven?
In a deep silence, the angel looked at the other, without the slightest smile, I realized general approval.
Angel: But what does it lower? do you get mad?
You do everything the opposite of what not to do …
Bertrand: And you see those who committed the irreparable?
Angel: yes occasionally they wander relentlessly in the dark world, to believe they are overtaken by their remorse! But they have no right to approach us.
Bertrand: Did you ask questions?
Angel: No! no need, we know in advance that they would do it again not.
Bertrand: I have an embarrassing question to ask you!
Angel: You talk about building the mosque at Ground Zero! build there.
And especially do not fall into error, show who we really are.
Bertrand: a great Nation, that believes in Liberty …
Angel: Yes

Some time later, a lady calls me: you alright sir? You seemed to talk with someone?
Yes Madam! I mean, I do not know…
Could you kindly guide my way, I’m blind.

September 11, 2010. Thoughts written by Bertrand DeParis

High Hopes II

The denial of the Other has been common in the region for a very long time. Israel is an internationally recognized state, a UN member. It should recognize the Palestinian state immediately — it will show a great openness and willingness to respect the Palestinian people.

A little history: (source Wikipedia, Palestinians)
The Palestinian people were established well before the onset of Israelites (ca. 1200 BC). Canaan was occupied by a sedentary population.The Canaanites were established in large cities and the countryside around (organization in city-states).
It gets interesting with the constitution of the first centralized kingdom (kingdom of Omri) whose capital was Samaria, with a population that was bi-cultural, Jewish on the one hand and Canaanite on the other. Note that according to some sources, the Palestinians and the Israelites would have the Canaanites for ancestors. This leads me to say that there is a family link between these two peoples.
Is it possible to go back to where it all began? A glorious period without any discord–a breeding ground for tolerance and openness.
Recognizing the Palestinians will be seen as ethical one hand, and peaceful on the other.
Jerusalem is a city where many religions coexist. Why not find a legal status that promotes a common capital? She was christened the capital of forgiveness and as Unified Jerusalem.
I cannot help but think back on missed opportunities and all the botched, failed negotiations, with the parade of pageantry and no tomorrow.
What is missing in the region today? — two men who have worked for peace — Martin Luther King and more recently Nelson Mandela. We need men of this character, because they have seen their distant vision asserted, carried by the wind whose echoes still resound in our minds. By dint of determination, they have succeeded by the law of reason, have captured the attention and changed recalcitrant opinions, carrying high the colors of peace, through their speeches, with non-violence their only weapon. Remember what that Martin Luther King said: “Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” We all have the image of Mahatma Gandhi who led the Salt March, March 12, 1930, in opposition to the tax on salt, with the sole motto of non-violence of which he was the pioneer.
The two people are mature, they should carefully reach an agreement for the good of future generations. They should be giving the best of themselves, countering the demons of discord and driving into the depths of the past those who have created pain and hatred of others.

Let’s declare a national day for

1. Peace in the region — a powerful idea that will mobilize all good wishes
2. Israeli-Palestinian friendship
3. The rebirth of hope between Israel and Palestine
In all major capitals, find ways to involve the media and the two peoples through cultural events, cinema, song, and laughter. Say in the best sense “Israel and Palestine are friends again.”
The time has come to change the methods of negotiation. I mentioned before in the previous post, using real professionals, such as historians, sociologists, psychologists, and philosophers, long before politicians who will lead discussions on the history of the two belligerents. The two antagonists must do their mea maxima culpa at each step. This requires finding a neutral ground conducive to the negotiation to complete this arduous task, but ultimately my choice is already made: It will be best in Jerusalem …

March 1, 2010 by Bertrand Deparis

Comment:

M. Bertrand Deparis has powerful, compelling insights — for one example, his statement, “Note that according to some sources, the Palestinians and the Israelites would have the Canaanites for ancestors. This leads me to say that there is a family link between these two peoples.” Indeed, this is a key basis for the Compassionate Dialogue at a peace camp for Palestinian and Jewish teenagers, where I volunteer — and through this Compassionate Dialogue, these young people develop friendship and peace against all odds in the region today.
Another point by M. Bertrand Deparis with which I agree is that, at peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis, “I propose that there is at this table psychologists to explain the unspoken and where politicians have failed.” Clearly we need to communicate at these deeper levels of soul and spirit, the levels where we are all connected as members of the human family.
Finally, like Bertrand Deparis I too think often of Dr. Martin Luther King, his words and actions, and imagine how different the Middle East would be today if Dr. King were alive to help bring peace to the region.
As M. Bertrand Deparis quotes Dr. King, Martin Luther King said: “Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”
Merci to M. Bertrand Deparis for the inspiration of his insights.

Posted @ Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:14 PM by Nicole Hunter

High Hopes

It is clear that the imbalance forced the vast majority to suffer and this hostage taking matters worse, the two sides you lose.
On one side the population feeds the hatred of others, on the other side continues to barricade themselves and oppress left to close or open the borders as it pleases.
When will the real responsibility of adults taken on both sides.
It is time to rekindle the flame of peace, constantly and relentlessly, involve clear, all parties in the region, do not forget the Arab League, and does not exclude Hamas and why not Iran.
If I understand it should get everyone around a table, and the quartet who has thus far not lived up negotiations. We must learn to live together is the key to success.
For my part, and ideally, it would be nice if the two nations meet in the old city of Jerusalem.
And do not miss the rules of psychology, is that people express their frustrations, I propose that there is at this table psychologists to explain the unspoken and where politicians have failed.
Another thing, it is imperative to address a fundamental question regarding the education of children of Gaza to get a true education worthy and respectful of their cousins in the final, not to take the tangent of their parents. It is important not to Israel which is a state in itself, must urgently find a solution and if necessary make intelligent concessions.
International opinion must be mobilized for this cause, the challenge, not to regret the mess one day in the whole region.
This brings me to borrow a phrase from a great big peace in the person of Martin Luther King: I dreamed one day that the children of Gaza will throw more stones but just play with their Israeli brothers, and that olive find no border, and serve to build bridges of brotherhood and sharing. I dreamed that this day will arrive and that peace reigns between the two peoples.
I dreamed that Palestinians and Israelis go hand in hand to make the pilgrimage to Auschwitz in memory and say out loud never again.
… that dream is reality.

Bertrand Deparis