When nations make decisions that keep a cycle of violence going, it is appropriate to bring critique to bear on those decisions. When nations make decisions that help break the cycle of violence, that helps to move the world one centimeter, one inch, closer to just peace, it is appropriate to give that decision its proper respect.

When the government of Israel decided to ease its policy regarding the flow of goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza, it was a decision worthy of recognition and of gratitude. For years, critics of the policy, both inside and outside of Israel have called on the government of Israel to ease the restriction against Gaza. Gaza has been described as a big prison. The blockade is violence. It is structural violence that deprives people of the materials they need to support a decent standard of living. Such violence is a violation of human dignity. Peace will only come when people have the material they need to sustain life and the spiritual and psychological security that brings joy into life, when they can create the conditions that make life worth living.

Much that was on the list of things that could not be brought into Gaza were items that denied both sustenance and joy to people in Gaza. This kind of violence invited retaliatory violence and hatred. To deny people pipes for clean water, cement to build houses and chocolate is an injustice. It is not what ordinary people deserve, even if their leadership is unwise in its rhetoric and policies. Peace will come on earth the instant everyone begins to do justice no matter what the Other does.

This new policy of the government of Israel is more just than the old policy. It is full of caveats and caution, but such is reasonable for a nation whose primary concern is security. The six steps the government plans to implement are sensible and welcome. In a statement issued June 20, 2010, Israel committed to:

1. Publish a list of items not permitted “that is limited to weapons and war material including problematic dual use items.”
2. Expand the flow of dual-use material for schools, health facilities, water, sanitation etc.
3. Enable the processing of a greater volume of goods through the crossings to expand economic activity
4. Add capacity at existing crossings and when “security concerns are fully addressed” open more.
5. Streamline policy for entry and exist “of people for humanitarian and medical reasons and that of employees of international aid organizations that are recognized by the GOI.”
6. Facilitate “the expeditious inspection and delivery of goods bound for Gaza through the port of Ashdod.”

Now Hamas ought to do its part for peace and release Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier it has been holding. Hamas ought to stop the rocket fire into Israel and sit down to direct peace talks with Israel. Just as the blockade against Gaza is unjust, rocket fire into Israel is also unjust. Ordinary Israelis do not deserve to live in fear or to have their homes, schools, playgrounds and businesses be targets of violence. The logic of just peace is that peaceful means bring peaceful ends. And, justice is the ligature that holds the means and ends of peace together.

Peace in this holy and tragic land will come when we understand the Biblical wisdom that teaches that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (II Corinthians 10:4)The struggle is a struggle to defeat the logic of war. It is a struggle to win the argument of method so that the world thinks differently. When we think differently, we will act differently. We will see war and the cycle of violence for the absurdity that it is.

We also pray for the peace of Jerusalem, a transrational act. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem both as a living breathing city and as a symbol for all cities, places and spaces that have known perpetual war. When we pray, by whatever means we pray – words, tears, song, silent listening – for peace, for justice for anyone and anything, God gives us work to do in that area. Our prayers become like vibrating strings that weave us into a dancing cosmic tapestry that is creation larger than large and smaller than small. Prayer connects us.

Prayer is not simply a wish and a dream. Prayer is a pledge to struggle. Prayer is an offering of faith. Prayer is a willingness to open our minds to the requirements of just peace and to open our souls to the vulnerability of radical love. Prayer is an act of courage. Prayer, work, critique, recognition, and gratitude take us one step closer to a just peace in Gaza and to just peace in the world.