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Stephen Fulder is an Israeli-Buddhist and promoter of peace. During this current eruption of conflict he is, of course, dismayed but not surprised. Nor does he take the side of his country, Israel, saying: "In the case of the current Gaza war, many assume it started when Hamas fired rockets into Israel. Clearly this was not the beginning. Hamas fired rockets after violence in Jerusalem and the eviction of Palestinians. It also may be connected to years of siege by Israel on Gaza."
In an article "Do We Really Have No Choice", published in Tricycle Magazine, Mr. Fulder offers these three important insights about war and how to achieve peace:
1. Motivations for war are always self-centered and, therefore, suspect. "Then as now, participants draw motivation from a consensus that “we are right,” “we have no choice” and “we must defend ourselves.” This view stands behind most wars and conflicts, and the encouragement of this view by groups or leaders prepares the ground for war by providing the necessary justification. The defense of “freedom” provided justification for the Vietnam war, and “Weapons of Mass Destruction” for the Iraq war."
2. A self-defense argument is possible but . . . "only as a last resort and with the minimum force necessary to disable or restrain the attacker....Clearly this is not the case in the huge death and destruction in the wars being fought, as you read this, in Yemen, Syria, etc." Additionally, he notes that "cases of genuine self-defense are actually extremely rare, and in virtually all cases of conflict there are wise and heartfelt solutions that are not seen and not taken. We have no choice generally means We don’t have the wisdom to act differently."
3. Politicians and media generate support for war. " Most wars, including this one, depend on fear, insecurity, anger, or revenge. These are individual and national emotions, often stoked up by media and political leaders. The emotions create a national blindness in which neighbors become demonized."
(Read more: ttps://tricycle.org/trikedaily/do-we-really-have-no-choice/ )
In an article "Do We Really Have No Choice", published in Tricycle Magazine, Mr. Fulder offers these three important insights about war and how to achieve peace:
1. Motivations for war are always self-centered and, therefore, suspect. "Then as now, participants draw motivation from a consensus that “we are right,” “we have no choice” and “we must defend ourselves.” This view stands behind most wars and conflicts, and the encouragement of this view by groups or leaders prepares the ground for war by providing the necessary justification. The defense of “freedom” provided justification for the Vietnam war, and “Weapons of Mass Destruction” for the Iraq war."
2. A self-defense argument is possible but . . . "only as a last resort and with the minimum force necessary to disable or restrain the attacker....Clearly this is not the case in the huge death and destruction in the wars being fought, as you read this, in Yemen, Syria, etc." Additionally, he notes that "cases of genuine self-defense are actually extremely rare, and in virtually all cases of conflict there are wise and heartfelt solutions that are not seen and not taken. We have no choice generally means We don’t have the wisdom to act differently."
3. Politicians and media generate support for war. " Most wars, including this one, depend on fear, insecurity, anger, or revenge. These are individual and national emotions, often stoked up by media and political leaders. The emotions create a national blindness in which neighbors become demonized."
(Read more: ttps://tricycle.org/trikedaily/do-we-really-have-no-choice/ )
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