Tectonic Shifts: Toward a New Middle East of Peace and Prosperity

This past Shabbat, I encountered an intriguing gentleman named Mark from Connecticut, who had come to Israel on a solidarity visit. His purpose? To bring strength and encouragement (chizuk) to the people of Israel amidst a backdrop of turmoil and uncertainty. What began as a lighthearted conversation during Shabbat services became a profound exploration of humanity’s struggles and the tectonic shifts shaping our world today.

His wit and wisdom surfaced early when he asked if I was married. When I confirmed I was, he quipped, “You can either be right or married, but you can’t be both.” We laughed, but the phrase stayed with me, echoing a deeper truth about the nature of relationships—both personal and global. Later, I discovered he was a psychiatrist, and his words carried additional insight. They inspired me to reflect on the conflicts we face as a society: the tension between being “right” and pursuing peace. Must we cling to righteousness at all costs, or is there a path toward reconciliation?

Cycles of Violence and Humanity’s Reckoning

Our discussion took a deeper turn when he offered a perspective on the cycles of violence throughout history. He observed that Jews, as a people, had “gotten it out of their system” during the Second Temple period. The destruction, infighting, and exile that followed served as a painful but transformative chapter, reshaping Jewish thought and values. Similarly, I argued, that Christians endured their reckoning through centuries of colonialism, religious wars, and the devastation of two world wars. Today, he speculated, it is the Arab and Muslim world experiencing this painful process, grappling with internal divisions and external conflicts.

This lens offered a sobering way to view the ongoing upheaval in the Middle East. It also drew my attention to this week’s Torah portion, which is strikingly relevant. It recounts Jacob’s preparations for reuniting with Esau after years of estrangement—a narrative of fear, strategy, and the hope for reconciliation. Yet, the portion also contains the troubling story of Dina’s rape and the violent vengeance exacted by Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi. Their unrestrained response raises questions about justice, ethics, and the consequences of unchecked violence.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, often spoke about the dangers of excess violence and the moral imperatives of Judaism in times of conflict. In his commentary on the Torah, Rabbi Sacks lamented the tragic ease with which societies can slip into cycles of revenge and destruction. He emphasized that while Judaism does not condone passivity in the face of aggression, it places a high value on minimizing unnecessary loss of life. For him, the ultimate challenge was not just to win battles but to create a society founded on justice and the sanctity of life. A true lesson for our current situation.

Rabbi Sacks pointed to the transformative power of the rabbis in the aftermath of the Temple’s destruction. They shifted Jewish focus from a culture of war to one of learning, debate, and community building. This shift, he argued, was a moral evolution, teaching the world that greatness lies not in dominance but in the strength to restrain violence and pursue peace.

Living in Tectonic Times

Another deep thinker – Richard  described the current era as “tectonic times,” and it’s hard to disagree. The world is undergoing seismic shifts on multiple fronts. October 7th marked a jarring rupture in the Israeli experience. Across the globe, political upheavals such as the rise of populism, protests in Western capitals, and the reawakening of nationalism signal deeper, structural changes. These are not isolated incidents but interconnected movements, shaking the foundations of our societies and reshaping the world order.

In the West, street protests advocating for a “free Palestine” have often been accompanied by disturbing waves of antisemitism. These chants, far from being a call for genuine freedom, often morph into expressions of hatred and division (and violence and arson against Shuls such as we saw in Melbourne and my home town of Cape Town this week). They reflect not just a political stance but a tectonic shift in societal attitudes, one that threatens to destabilize the fragile balance of coexistence in multicultural societies.

I had originally penned a blog for this week titled “A Palestinian State: Rewarding Terror or Pursuing Peace?” But the tectonic shifts of this week’s downfall of Assad led me to write these thoughts instead.

I want to contrast Rabbi Sacks’s and Israel’s values of human life. Israel did not choose these wars and has no desire or intent to kill innocent civilisations. (sidebar – one needs intent to commit Genocide, which makes the charges of Genocide by Israel irrelevant. Hamas by contrast has intent in both words and actions)  The Assad regime’s brutality in Syria is one of the 21st century’s greatest tragedies. Since 2011, an estimated 580,000 people have been killed, and more than 13 million displaced, with cities like Aleppo and Homs reduced to rubble. The regime’s use of chemical weapons, torture, and indiscriminate bombings reflects a stark disregard for human life. (and where are and were the Pro-Syrian marches?)

The downfall of this evil regime is cause for celebration as this photo was published this week on the BBC shows. (Note – this photo is actually of Druze women in Israel)

This tragedy rivals historical events in its scale and impact. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall, it could mark a turning point for the Middle East. It exposes the fragility of authoritarian regimes and underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability. Whether this crisis inspires change or becomes another lost opportunity depends on global resolve.

What Does Freedom Look Like?

Amidst these shifts, we must ask: What does freedom truly mean for the nations of the Middle East and beyond? The idea of “freedom” has often been co-opted as a rallying cry, but its realization requires vision, leadership, and courage.

1. Free Syria
   Syria has endured over a decade of brutal civil war, with over 580,000 lives lost and millions displaced. A “free Syria” would mean an end to the Assad regime’s reign of terror and the emergence of a government that prioritizes its people over geopolitical maneuvering.
2. Free Iran
   The Iranian people have suffered under an oppressive theocratic regime that has stifled freedom and exported violence. A free Iran could transform the region, fostering peace and economic cooperation instead of proxy wars and nuclear brinkmanship.
3. Free Kurdistan
   The Kurdish people, scattered across multiple nations, have long sought self-determination. Recognizing their right to statehood could stabilize a volatile region and offer a model for coexistence.
4. Free Palestine (Jordan as a Solution)
   Revisiting historical proposals, such as Jordan as a homeland for Palestinians, could provide a practical resolution to one of the world’s most enduring conflicts, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security.
5. Free Gaza
   Liberation for Gaza must include freedom from the oppressive grip of Hamas, whose governance has brought poverty and despair to its people. A free Gaza would mean opportunities for prosperity, education, and peace.

The Role of Innovation in Transforming Societies

As tectonic shifts reshape the political and social landscape, technology offers a beacon of hope. Innovations in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and transportation hold the potential to address some of humanity’s greatest challenges. For example:

• AI – revolutionising the way we work, write and go about life.
• Hydrogen-powered cars and self-charging electric vehicles could revolutionise transportation, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
• Advances in agriculture could combat food insecurity, particularly in regions like Africa and Asia.

These innovations demonstrate humanity’s capacity to adapt and thrive, even amidst upheaval.

Conclusion: A Call to Build a Better World

The Torah portion teaches us that reconciliation and strength are not mutually exclusive. Jacob’s story reminds us that preparation, humility, and faith are essential to navigating life’s challenges. Today, as we face tectonic shifts in geopolitics, technology, and society, we must strive to balance defending our values and building bridges of understanding.

Rabbi Sacks’ teachings challenge us to use our strength not to perpetuate violence but to create societies grounded in justice, compassion, and peace. He warned against the allure of power for its own sake, urging us instead to seek the moral high ground even in the face of profound challenges.

The future of the Middle East—and indeed the world—depends on our ability to learn from history while embracing the possibilities of the present. Let us channel the energy of these tectonic shifts into creating a region and a world characterised by freedom, prosperity, and peace. It begins with a vision, and it requires the courage to act with wisdom, resilience, and hope.

As the gentleman from Connecticut reminded me, we may not always be “right,” but we can always choose to pursue peace. In these tectonic times, let us seize the opportunity to build a brighter, more harmonious future for all.

Video – Terror attack in Cape Town

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