ESSAYS FOR PEACE

A DISEASE AND ITS CURE

by Belachew Telahun

Wheaton High School

2nd place winner of the Sadat Essay for Peace competition in 2005

The new century has ushered in a new time, but is still plagued with the problems of a past one. There exist several mounting issues through out the world and particularly in the Middle East. Even in the holiest of lands resides conflict and it is this conflict that has engrossed the Middle East on a path of destabilization. The Arab-Israeli conflict has come to symbolize the struggle of an entire world to achieve peace.

War and conflict are not new inventions, but sadly they have grown in frequency in this era of tensions.  A parasite feeding on the follies of man, war, threatens millions of people everyday. Commissions, treaties, and organizations have attempted to thwart the spread of this evil, but due to their ineffectiveness their actions seem nothing more than mere commentary. Many look on from a distance—horrified at the atrocities—silent in their actions. But this silence only increases the virulence of this problem. Wars detrimental effects often poison the growth of regions, and stifle social progress. To this many lay silent, cursing it as a faraway tragedy, but overlooking its silhouetted global impact.

Tensions arise from a plethora of sources some based on ideological, social, political, or historical issues. The tension in the Middle East arises from the latter of the four. The Arab-Israeli conflict today encompass more than a simple territorial battle between two small countries, but instead describes the instability of an entire region. Death and pain have become a far to common occurrence in these troubled lands. Pressure on both sides to further their own initiatives has led to many quarrels of which several wars have become byproducts.

The leaders of our world are faced with an ever more present polarization while contradictorily having to deal with increased interconnectedness. In this era of global conflict, leaders have arisen who have stifled inherent nationalistic fanaticism and embraced compromise. Among these leaders is Anwar Sadat. Sadat’s visionary ideals of promoting national self-interest while respecting regional and global stability have come to characterize good leadership. Through his unwavering determination he captivated his people with strength and leadership, while promulgated the struggle for peace.

Sadat’s illustrious career at the helm of Egypt’s government was originally marred with several conflicts with Israel. Mounting discord in the area facilitated an outbreak of armed conflicts through out the region. These conflicts coincided with several other conflicts throughout the world and would come to characterize the world culture in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The Arab leadership in the Middle East was adamantly opposed to negotiation with Israel, the notion was returned on the Israeli side as well. The region attained almost a permanent presence on the nightly news programs through out the world. The increase in tensions accompanied a swelling of refugee camps, which did nothing but exacerbate the situation. The seeds of extremism and terrorism were being planted, as resentment on both sides of the issue began to mount. Sadat deviated from the other Arab leadership in his willingness to accept negotiation and move toward a mutually beneficial compromise with Israel. His fellow Arab leaders shunned his attempts at this diplomacy, but he continued. Sadat relentlessly pursued an end to the quarrels in the Middle East and began initiatives that brought to fruition a peace between Israel and Egypt. The decision between Sadat and the Israeli premier Menachem Begin to end the friction between their respective states was not only shattering but echoed a powerful message. This paramount accomplishment characterizes Sadat’s reign, and is often sighted as an example of what diplomacy and compromise can accomplish. Sadat and Begin shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 for their breathtaking accomplishments, which not only led to demilitarization along the border of Egypt and Israel, but opened the possibility of compromise that had been previously unfeasible. These steps furthered the peace initiative between all sides, but still faced resentment in the eyes of many fundamentalist and leaders. Sadat, nevertheless, continued on a path of peace and broke the fetters of silence, which had inhibited diplomacy from taking root. Sadat had truly become an icon, a larger than life hero, and the essence of unity throughout a ravaged region.

Another icon that shared the same struggle for peace was Yitzhak Rabin. He too was trying to set aside differences and embrace peace. Rabin continued Sadat’s work from the opposite seat and was able to further a peace with the Palestinians. Rabin and Sadat represented two opposing nationalities, one Arab and the other Israeli. But both of these distinguished leaders were able to promote peace and compromise and remove the tint of selfishness and greed. They became world figures, often heralded as the embodiments of diplomacy. Unfortunately, both leaders fell victim to the same bullet of extremism that has since become the most prolific obstruction on the road to peace. Both leaders have a legacy, which flames brightly and represents the manifestation of true martyrdom for peace.

Leaders of a supreme caliber, such as Anwar Sadat, have tried to end a feud, which began with Abraham and his sons Ishmael and Isaac. The question of who will inherit the land of the Levant has yet to be answered, but the world must come to a compromise, which recognizes both Arab and Israeli aspirations. Only then will the global community be able to rest from the audacity of terrorists and atrocities of reprisals. War in its entirety from the Americas to the Pacific islands, and everything in between, can only be inhibited through the use of global unity and understanding. Our world is becoming much more linked, and occurrences thousands of miles away can touch anyone anywhere.  Reliance on specific groups or clusters of peoples to promote peace has far too long served as a curtailment to the international idea of unity. The achievements of individuals to help in the cause to eradicate armed conflict, although admirable and at times successful, are not enough to hamper its spread. The cure to this disease of malevolence and violence lies in the hearts of the world’s masses. We must all join in on the struggle for peace, end our pessimistic notion that world peace is just a mirage, and move forward to claim the right of every human: peace.