There is a dance between history as it unfolds and the people who are interacting with the events. Decisions made today can create a better tomorrow or lead to further problems.
From the perspective of the Catholic Church, history indicates that the mores supporting celibacy and male dominance no longer serves its mission. Failure thus far to see the historical changes as opportunities from structural reform only has led to more problems. And, to be sure, the resistance to change is self-defeating.
Reading about the chaos enveloping the Palestinians brings to mind all the opportunities thwarted by self-interest and myopic vision. Rather than achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we now have a two-state Palestinian situation.
If there is one single issue that leaps out as a source of failed opportunities was the the US support of Palestinian elections and then not dealing with the outcome of the voters. While going around the world saying that we are on a mission of spreading democracy, we then demonstrate that what we really mean is that we want democracy as it suits us. We are hypocritical!
However, there are other failures to seize opportunities. Jeffrey Sachs highlights the futility of Israel's penetration of the West Bank. There is overwhelming recognition that a return to the 1967 borders is a necessity, if any peace is to be achieved. Expansion continues into the West Bank, albeit at a reduced rate.
Israel's survival depends on taking advantage of opportunities to lessen conflict and promote peace.
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