All countries and cultures tell stories to sustain their visions, rationalize their wrongdoing and feed their ethnocentrism. We have our collective narratives that often differ radically from how others see us. Myth is an essential component of culture. But the fervently believed lies on both sides of this conflict have a special toxicity that suggest perpetual cycles of offense, revenge, offense, revenge, ad infinitum.
In the Land of Israel and the Land of Palestine everyone is an extremist. All visions are toxic, and peace and mutual understanding are dismissed as effeminate and utopian foolishness.
Burston has indeed identified the crux of the matter, the incompatiblity of the narratives, the fervor of the lies. It`s not a pretty picture. The future is grim. |
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