Women in Black and a street conversation (7/30)

Today we moved from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and are staying at the Lutheran Guest House close to the Jaffa Gate.

We met a group, Women in Black, who protest the occupation every Friday by wearing black and silently holding up signs on a busy street corner. While I was watching I met a girl named Sara who was from Washington State and was on a similar pilgrimage as we are on. We swapped some names of the really good speakers we have heard and talked briefly.

There was a young couple who was protesting the protesters and I spoke with them when we were leaving. I simply asked if he was pro-occupation or just pro-Israel. He responded that "there is no occupation!" I asked, "Then what are the walls about?" He said that they were for they're protection [from terrorists].

A very interesting view and I was so happy to finally hear from someone who had an Israeli perspective. What I was hoping would be a friendly dialogue quickly vanished as others in the group came to talk with him as well. It instantaneously ended when people began to antagonize him, throwing out "facts" and challenges. He began to defensively defend his view and it began to get heated and voices began to rise as tension flooded the conversation. I tried to redirect and bring the conversation back around to open dialogue and respectful interactions. I was shocked and disappointed at some of the members of the group who acted so disrespectfully. Not once has anyone dared to interrupt a speaker, correct them when they have told a half-truth or even an outright lie, or shied away from difficult questions or topics. As true peace makers, shalom builders we need to openly and respectfully listen to both sides/perspectives first before we can bridge the gaps. Not engage others in hostile conversations and rhetoric bent with our own objectives or political slant.

As Christians if we are no different than those around us, if we have lost our saltiness and our light has gone out - what value can we hope to add to the situation - what peace do we offer if we don't bring Christ (the Prince of Peace)?