The Lemon Tree

The conflict in the Middle East has been long, painful, complex and very hard to understand. I just finished reading a book that helped me, for the first time, begin to understand the conflict.

The very readable, Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan, explains the conflict since its beginnings in the late 19th century. I say it is very readable, as I wasn't sure how much drudging I'd have to so through political explanations and obscure histories. On the contrary, the history was compelling, though sometimes difficult to read as I realized that this was NOT a novel. This has all happened - and the conflict continues.

What I admired was the balanced view put forward by Tolan - someone explained it to me as full of "yes-buts". As you consider the pain and suffering of one side, this is juxtaposed by the "yes, but... the other side also experienced deep pain and suffering."

I come away shaken. I am moved by the tragedies that people face and endure - and I am shaken that such terror and suffering exists. It is not like I thought it didn't, it's just that when a human face is put to a conflict thousands of miles away, the earth seems like a small place. There is the smallest sliver of hope in the book. People can come from vastly different viewpoints (though, viewpoints seems like an understatement), and truly try to understand and listen to each other. Peace lies at the heart of how we listen to each other. And as one of the main figures in the book says, "In order to have peace, each side must be content to do with less."

I have to check the quote on that, I think I am paraphrasing - but in essence it is about what we give up in order to achieve peace.

I'd highly recommend this book.