June 1995, Page 74

Waging Peace

By Shawn L. Twing

Bishop Discusses Politicization of Religion

The connection between religion and politics has developed into a popular topic during the last few years, especially as it relates to the Islamic faith, according to Anglican Bishop Kenneth Cragg. During a May 9 address before the Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine in Washington, DC, the bishop discussed the way in which the resurgence of Islamic identity among Muslims, specifically those in the Israeli occupied territories, has led some scholars and policy-makers to analyze the phenomenon from a relatively narrow perspective that focuses solely on Islam.

Bishop Cragg, one of the world's leading historians on Islam, suggested that the politicization of Islam can be explained partially as a reaction to Zionism, which he called the "tragic politicization of the Jewish faith." Instead of discussing the activities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in isolation, Cragg maintains that Israel is partially responsible for the Islamist violence in the territories, even beyond the multitude of provocations by the Israel Defense Forces. By adding an overtly political element to Judaism, the clergyman said, Zionists have changed the nature of the Jewish religion as it is practiced in Israel and among Israel's Jewish supporters. As a result, according to Cragg, "Judaism is no longer a religion; it's a state with a polity."

Jordanian Examines Impact of Peace on Political Liberalization

Hani Hourani, the executive director of the New Jordan Research Center (NJRC), discussed the current Jordanian political environment at a May 4 program sponsored by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Washington, DC. A Jordanian journalist, activist, and author of seven books, Hourani returned to Jordan in 1989 from 19 years in exile after King Hussein began the process of political liberalization. During his presentation, Hourani focused on two key issues: Jordan's successes and shortcomings in its pursuit of democracy, and the role of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in Jordan's internal and external politics.

According to Hourani, the move toward political liberalization in Jordan has begun to founder in recent years, which he attributes to the belief among many Jordanians that the country isn't yet ready for a rapid transition. Jordan began its democratic experiment in 1989 when King Hussein allowed national elections for individuals, with multi-party elections following in 1993. From 1989-1992, the Jordanian parliament passed new publication laws, encouraged pluralism, and developed a national charter. Since 1992, however, the transition to democracy has begun to lose momentum and, according to Hourani, "is going backward, or at least standing still."

The peace process has been another significant factor in Jordanian politics, especially after the government's decision to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Because Palestinians make up well over 50 percent of Jordan's population, Jordanian-Palestinian relations are a cornerstone of Jordan's internal stability. Hourani, whose family is from the East Bank, personalized the dilemma when he described the difference between his own supportive reaction to Jordan's peace with Israel, and the reservations of his Palestinian wife.

Palestine Elections Discussed

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) held a May 2 panel in Washington, DC on Palestinian elections featuring two consultants and a staff member who had just returned from the IFES field office in the West Bank town of El Bireh. Their remarks reflected both the hopes and growing despair of the Palestinian people.

IFES initiated contact with the PLO in December 1993, after the signing of the Declaration of Principles. IFES has since been engaged in the occupied territories in pre-election assessment and civic education, focusing on rural women, youth and released political prisoners—in each case in partnership with at least one Palestinian NGO. Because of the uncertainty of the situation, however, its future plans are contingent upon whether or not July elections are held.

Carina Perelli, political systems specialist and consultant for IFES' former political prisoners civic awareness programs, discussed the results of a recent poll which showed the "contradictory state of mind" of Palestinians. "The good news," Perelli noted, "is that the population is prepared and hoping for change." But, she warned, "hope can turn against the PNA...if results are not seen soon."

Alan Dahlo, a civics teacher from Vancouver, BC and consultant for the youth civic awareness program, similarly described a feeling of "great hope for a democratic future" along with a "strong cynicism." He observed that the West Bank and Gaza had two different educational curricula—the former based on the Jordanian model, the later on Egypt's—and that democracy was not taught as part of either. The goal, therefore, of the workshops held in some 155 Palestinian high schools was to "give a realistic idea of what democracy means." Initial suspicion of the project, Dahlo said, gave way to invitations to return for more sessions.

Adila Laidi, IFES program officer for North Africa and the Near East, discussing the rural women's program, noted that through its civic awareness program, IFES hopes to reach underserved rural Palestinian children by educating their mothers.

IFES will continue these programs until the end of the year. If elections are held by then, the emphasis will be on election-oriented projects such as voter information, training polling-booth staffpeople, etc. If elections have not yet taken place, IFES plans to deepen its democracy awareness program.