Shalom/Salaam/Peace: A Liberation Theology of Hope

Shalom/Salaam/Peace is about two peoples and three religions struggling for their very survival. The author examines the realities of life in contemporary Israel/Palestine, with its politics, wars, security wall, settlements and ongoing struggles, and weaves together the complex issues of the area, such as the ownership of land, water rights, human rights and religious rights. The book begins with an overview of the historical, scriptural and theological rationale for the present situation in Israel/Palestine, and highlights key figures who have promoted peace and justice some at the cost of their lives. It offers Liberation Theology as a viable way to bring peace in Israel/Palestine. From the Exodus, the author sets out the history of Liberation Theology from its establishment within the Roman Catholic Church in 19621965 to the reality of Base Christian Communities (Communidades de Base) as seen, particularly, in El Salvador and Salvadoran refugee camps in Honduras in the 1980s. Liberation Theology, as it has developed and been lived in Israel/Palestine, is also examined. The indigenous Christian community in Israel/Palestine (reduced to a minority of less than two percent) is lifted up as a people of hope for the area. While the Israeli Defense Force routinely bulldoze homes and make air attacks on civilians while searching for terrorists, and extremist Palestinian Muslims destroy buses, cafes and markets with suicide bombings, the Palestinian Christians are the only ones who have not yet resorted to violence. They have managed to maintain a non-violent stance, out of their faith base, as they have been forced out of their homes in villages, towns and cities and have had restrictions imposed upon them by the Israeli government. Those who lead the Palestinian Christian community in this non-violent stance are seen as the Davids of this time, in this place. Be they indigenous Palestinian Christians, or International witnesses and supporters of peace, or Jewish or Muslim peace seekers all of them are given as examples of what is possible in an impossible situation.