Does the world care?
Our world is shrinking in worrisome ways. Covid underscored our common humanity, and produced heroes everywhere, but didn’t bring the world together. Climate change invites universal concern but little commitment. Suppression of democratic rights in one country used to stir the whole world not very long ago, but not anymore.
Will people anywhere give up the motto, “My people first – and last”?
This pessimistic train of thought entered my mind the other day on reading a statement by an Arab group about Palestine. Referring to the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory, and the drive to expel Arabs from portions of East Jerusalem, the statement also spoke of the attack that occurred not long ago on Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque during the sacred Ramadan month, and claimed:
“Israeli forces accompanied by hundreds of Israeli Jewish extremists broke into Al-Aqsa holy mosque, throwing sound and teargas bombs, breaking doors and furniture, and beating worshipers while praying, not demonstrating. To Muslims worldwide, this is far more criminal than the incursion of the American rightwing extremists into the American Congress.”
The statement wanted (a) Palestine recognized as a “free sovereign state, with all due rights in all UN organizations and worldwide”, (b) Israeli forces replaced by a U.N. police force for protecting places in Jerusalem and Hebron holy to Muslims and Christians, (c) Israeli expansion reversed, (d) the Golan Heights returned to Syria, the Shebaa Farms to Lebanon, and (e) the Gaza blockade lifted.
What effect will the statement have? I quote from it not because I can vouch for the accuracy of the charge regarding Al Aqsa, which I am in no position to confirm or disprove. I repeat the statement because I remember the levels of concern raised in the U.S. by the January 6 attack on the Capitol. I would like Americans to recognize what Arab and other Muslims are thinking today.
And I want Americans to know that calls for uniting the democratic world against China’s authoritarian government will find little response from peoples and nations if they get assaulted by America’s allies and Washington does nothing to restrain or even criticize the assaults.
That said, the rest of the world has to get realistic. The American people have not asked their government to ensure fairness in the world. Nor is there a law of God or history that places on one country like the U.S. the duty to improve and protect the world. Moreover, many Americans want their government to focus on America and forget the world for a while.
The rest of the world has no leverage to compel the U.S. -- or Europe, the U.K., Japan, Canada, or Australia -- to protect human rights elsewhere. However, Americans as individuals, officials, or leaders may be open to information and persuasion, and the same is true for people in the other countries mentioned.
It is also a fact that American attitudes on Palestine and Israel have changed a little in recent years, in the right direction. In fact, several politicians in today’s U.S. seem committed to defending human rights elsewhere, including in the Middle East. They deserve encouragement and updating.
I liked the reply given the other day by one of Israel’s activists for peace and justice, of whom there are many. Asked how he remained positive despite few signs of progress, he said, “I have no choice.”
Moods of optimism and pessimism are of little importance. Duty is the key. We have to do what we can, and what we must. And there’s always the next step we can take, no matter how insignificant it looks. When I search for the next step, find it, and take it, I feel satisfied. At least for the time being.
When a lawmaker, official, or judge searches for the right next step to take, and takes it, many are satisfied, and for more than half a day.
The world will improve not because of what one powerful country does, but because people there and elsewhere do what they should.
