Armstrong 16-18

As the events in these chapters come closer and closer to present day, we see the heightening of tensions and disputes (as if there weren’t enough already…). However, the difference between previous disputes and the ones discussed in these chapters is that now Jerusalem must deal with the ever-present influential and pressuring ‘west’ to tell it how to be. I was really amazed in these chapters about the increasing development of Zionism and the political push in Europe of these ideas. Furthermore, I was glad that Armstrong discussed in detail the events leading up to 1948. Somehow it was a blur in my head. Usually textbooks and discussions focus on everything after that state of Israel, but for me is was just as interesting to understand the mindset and the parties involved prior to Israel.  There is so much rich information in these chapters it is hard to pick a few things to discuss. 

In chapter 16 Armstrong foreshadows the increasing violence by stating that, “Almost every new development in Jerusalem seemed doomed to increase the sectarianism and rivalry that now seemed endemic to the city” (351). Speaking of rivalries, I was again annoyed with the Christians and the conflicts among different sects. How can we expect different religions to get along when different groups within the same religion can’t even see eye to eye? It is another disappointing example of how human will has tainted religion. The best example of this pettiness is when the fire damaged the Holy Sepulcher church. All of the groups fought over who would rebuild it and so on, and it even led to fights and riots (348).  In addition, Armstrong describes on page 355 the way the clash between sects of Christianity also affected different states in Europe. A rift between the Greek and Latin clergy led to “a clash between France and Russian, the “protectors” of the two communities…This quarrel gave Britain and France the pretext they needed to declare war on Russian in order to stop any further Russian advance into Ottoman territory” (355). How amazing that these people were so affected by religion in an area most of them had probably never visited! 

While I maybe shouldn’t say this, sometimes when I’m reading about this current conflict my mind rests at the thought that this is just a little bump in the road. In other words, Jerusalem will always be disputed, it always has been disputed, it is just that the conflict took an extra turn with the development of statehood and nationalism in Europe. Hundreds of years from now, are people going to look at what we called the “Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” just as we are looking at the Franks in Jerusalem or the Ottomans in Jerusalem? That they were just one of the strings of rulers and the land will never be at peace? There will always be a threat, always and outsider and always a group that is marginalized?  Will it change hands again and again? Will the Christians take over again someday? I hope that soon there will be an end to the constant invasions, but I can’t help but think about the possibility of the never-ending struggle.