Why I like Nissim Dahan!
Friendship has many definitions and it has been a topic since 2500 years ago when Aristotle in his book, Nichomachean Ethics, tried to define it. By the way here I don’t want to talk about Aristotle or definition of friendship.
I’ve been an author here at MEY when I felt I have something to share with Middle Easters since three years ago. After awhile I engaged with many discussions and many engaged with mine, vice versa. At that time, Nissim Dahan was an author there and we had great discussions regardless of what our beliefs were and what we were doing. I always liked his articles and also his idea on selling a vision of hope.
Today I was thinking to myself that where this feeling of convenience is coming from. I’m an Iranian and our government and its doctrine is against Israel’s. Also Israel knows Iran as its worst enemy. Where does this feeling come from?
The answer is that we have discussed here just as two authors without any prejudgments. I think when two persons, two nations and two friends have any discussions and with prejudgments simply call the other one, enemy; they can’t understand the other’s viewpoints and here is the misery.
I really dont care about what he believes in and how his life has been. I see him as a righteous man who likes to sell his visions of hope.
I think a good reciprocity is always the solution. What do you think?
Join the Conversation
Lord Kavi, your post comes as an unexpected but welcomed surprise. I too have always enjoyed our discussions, and that alone can certainly be the basis of a good friendship.
You mention Aristotle and the ancient Greeks. It was the Greeks, in fact, who introduced the idea of putting knowledge into different categories such as science, ethics, philosophy, etc. Some categories, however, are worthwhile and some are not.
As you suggest, many of us are naturally prone to label one another harshly, to jump to false conclusions about one another, and to act on the basis of such misplaced beliefs. We are quick to call someone an “enemy,” because of our preconceived notions of who that person is. But if we take the time to truly understand one another, then we will probably come to the inexcapable conclusion that we share much more in common than divides us, and that most of the so called “differences” that keep us apart are relatively of minor importance. We are often manipulated into false belief about one another.
Why is any of this important? Because the willingness to talk to one another, as you and I do, and to be open to new possibilities, is at the heart of what it will take to bring justice and sustainability to this often volatile world. An openness of mind, a common sense approach, and a willingness to engage one another without bias, and without jumping to false belief, will bring freedom to Iran, will bring justice to Palestinians, will bring peace to Israel, will inspire a sense of hope in the region, and will help to weaken the hold of extremist thinking.
I would like to believe that people will embrace an ideology of common sense because of their innate goodness. But that is probably asking too much. What is more likely, is that we will begin to make sense of our lives not because we are inherently good, but because we will come to conlusion that we have no other choice. We either come together in common purpose, or we’re going down, as have 99% of all the species that have lived on this good earth. It’s that simple.
Our willingness to talk to one another, with common sense and with a sense of personal dignity, Lord Kavi, is a glimmer of hope, a hint that there is still hope for the world, and that it is up to us to make it so.
Last nigh I wrote a comment here of Nissim (the perplexing) but it didnt go through… and here I am writing it again..
Though we are standing at the very opposite sides in all aspects, I too think that Nissim has a unique and gracious way of thinking, and I believe he speaks his heart but not the zionist Hasbarah Handbook. I am still perplexed where does he bring all that hope from at the time all hope vents are blocked…. I have to lift my hat !!!
I just wonder… what would Nissim say, and what new hope is he going to plant when (after a few months for sure) we will reach the dead end of “peace” !!!
Sami, if you and I can be friends, then for sure there is hope for this world.
And I consider you not only a friend, but an important voice, a voice that speaks of the pain of Palestinians, a voice we should listen to if we are serious about a just peace.
You mention the upcoming negotiations. Maybe you’re right that as usual, nothing will come of it. But my sense is that there is at least a good chance that a deal of some sort will be struck. A deal may be possible, as I have said before, not because the two sides love one another, but because for the first time there is a unique alignment of the self-interest of some of the key players.
Look at some of the facts on the ground:
Fatah, in the West Bank, needs some help in staving off a Hamas takeover.
The only power in the region that can cope with Hamas is Israel.
Netanyahu needs a credible peace process to consolidate support against Iran.
The Sunni states like Saudi, Jordan, Egypt, etc. are scared to death of a nuclear Iran.
The Sunni states need a credible peace process to ally themselves, in some way, with Israel.
As the West Bank begins to prosper, Hamas in Gaza will need a way to legitimate its hold on power, or face the wrath of its people.
As Iran begins to feel isolated, the leadership will need a way to legitimate its hold on power.
The U.S. and the West need to keep the oil flowing, and need a peace process to give them credibility in their fight against extremism.
If you put all these ingredients together, you may get the beginnings of peace, as follows:
Israel and the West Bank strike a deal that guarantees security to the West Bank, that promotes economic prosperity, and that resolves the remaining issues equitably, perhaps as part of a regional military and economic alliance. Prosperity in the West Bank puts pressure on Hamas to join in on job creation. Hamas legitimates its hold on power with good paying jobs, and competes with Fatah, but on the basis of free and fair elections, without resorting to terror. A peace deal in Palestine allows the Sunni states to recognize Israel, and to form a military and economic alliance, which includes her. The U.S. and Western powers, the Sunnie state, and even Russia, continue to isolate Iran. Iran comes to conclusion that she too must embrace a greater measure of freedom in order to stave off a revolution from within. A deal is struck with Iran by which she gives up her nuclear aspirations, in exchange for a greater role in the region, including a boost to her economy.
Now all this may seem, at first glance, to be a pie in the sky scenario. But I would argue that given the current situation on the ground, there is at least a good chance that the key players will come to conclusion that this approach is the only rational way to promote that own self-interest. Things can easily take a turn for the worst, it’s true, but not necessarily so.
Dear Nissim,
Excuse me for late reply. Yeah I agree with you, and I think those things that are beyond religions may help humanities, particularly in Middle East. You know, I think common sense is a good choice and its beyond religons. But I also think it lacks an engine to run. I think when we compare it with Islam or Judaism it is very poor to take action.
By the way, we should count on negotiations. I believe if Arabs and Jews could have discussions their situations were much more better. And I believe its because of their religious extremism. So I may conclude that common sensed negotiations is the answer.
I see your ideas on this topic great but I think they’re good in theory. How they can be practical?
Dear Lord Kavi,
Common sense may not be as “sexy” as religious passion, but don’t underestimate its power. Common sense is probably the greatest gift we were given to bring a semblance of order to our lives. It’s just a matter of salesmanship. That’s why I call it Selling a Vision of Hope, because we have to sell it to the man on the street, and then he will become convinced, just as he is convinced about his religious beliefs.
Some people say they believe in Moses, or Jesus, or Muhammad. I say, if you believe in them, why not be more like them? And what were they? Among other things, they were “salesmen.” And what did they sell? They sold a Vision of Hope. For God’s sake, they sold a Vision of Hope.
…we should count on negotiations.
Negotiations, which will soon be underway, may help, but they will not be enough to close the deal on peace. A lot has to happen behind the scenes to open people up to the possibility of peace. The fight between Israel and Palestinians has been raised to a very high level, way beyond the four corners of the conflict itself. All sorts of outsiders are involved, each with his own ideological agendas. Therefore, for there to be any chance for success, the negotiations must be supported by a whole series of actions taken by people like you and me, each pushing in his own way, to open up new channels, to open up minds to new ways of thinking, and to create new possibilities for peace.
I am struggling with this on a daily basis: How do you make any of this real?
First of all, Lord Kavi, don’t underestimate your ability to change the world. Yes you are only one voice, but if you get others to join with you, then you will no longer be just one voice, and the sound of your collective voices will resonate around the world, for the sake of peace.
Take me, as an example. I have some ideas, but I still haven’t made anything substantive happen. However, little by little, I am taking some baby steps forward. My goal is to play a behind-the-scenes role in the upcoming negotiations between Israel and Palestine. I met with George Mitchell, who is the Middle East Envoy from the U.S. In the West Bank, I met with the wealthiest Palestinian on earth, a multi-billionaire who employs some 60,000 people. I am meeting with French officials who are building a Green Industrial Zone in Bethlehem.
I am just a man off the street, a man with some ideas as to how to push the peace process forward. But even so, I have been able to meet people who have the money and the power to do something real along these lines. And if they give me the chance, I am willing to work without pay or position, behind the scenes, to bring people together, who may otherwise be inclined to remain apart.
I am just saying that you and your friends can make a difference, by believing in yourselves, by putting your doubts on hold for the moment, and by working hard to give substance to what is now only a dream. We may or may not succeed, but we lose nothing by trying, and who knows, may the impossible will happen and a vision of peace, prosperity, and freedom will be made real, even against the odds.
Nissim,
you’re doing great; I do really mean it. I would think about your advices here. Thanks