The Need for Peace in Jerusalem

Andre Benveniste

Photo of Nizar Qabbani

 

Renowned Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani describes Jerusalem as the center of the world in his poem City of Olive Branches. For example, he mentions the city as the “swiftest path between heaven and earth” and as a holy place for multiple religions (Qabbani, 9-10). Most importantly however, Qabbani later transitions the poem and gives Jerusalem humanistic value. This can be seen in phrases such as “tomorrow laughter will ring out once more” (Qabbani, 22-23). Therefore, the juxtaposition between Jerusalem’ holiness and its ordinariness allows for more people to resonate with the poem. This is especially important considering the context of this poem, where Palestinians and Jews were fighting for this same piece of land. This makes the poem relevant to Jerusalem’s current situation, where war is still being waged. 

    

    Palestinians were expelled from Jerusalem when Israel took full control of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967, around the same time that Qabani was writing his poem. He reflects on this sorrowful situation stating “I wept until every tear had dried” as a result of not being allowed into Jerusalem (Qabbani, 1-2). In other words, this is simply a catastrophe. To make matters even worse, ever since then Israeli settlements have been built in the West Bank, where several Palestianians relocated, to a point “where more than 700,000 Jews now live” (BBC). This is an injustice, which is one of the purposes of Qabbani’s poem. Both Palestinians and Israelis each have their unique perspectives on what constitutes injustice, but one fact is for certain: Jerusalem holds extreme sentimental value for both groups. Which is something Qabbani emphasizes in his poem by describing Jerusalem’s rich history and relating this to happiness when, for instance, he mentions that “fathers and sons will meet again” (Qabbani, 28-29). This evokes pity from readers because it associates happiness with a group of people living in Jerusalem, where they are not allowed to live anymore. However, this is not a uniquely Palestinian or Arab experience. 

    

    The Jewish diaspora of over 2,000 years preceded the Palestinian longing for returning to Jerusalem. Jews have such a connection to Jerusalem that at the end of Passover, the most important Jewish holiday, services are concluded with people saying they will meet in Jerusalem the following year. Jews and Palestinians alike therefore have a special relationship with Jerusalem. However, tension between both of these groups mirrors Jerusalem’s history. Being a city that has short lived periods of peace. As a result, its splendors have always made it Jerusalem contested space. But the way to happiness, as Qabbani argues, is the need for peace on all sides.

Citations:

“Israel Gaza War: History of the Conflict Explained.” BBC News, BBC, 15 Nov. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.