Any Comparisons?

I can remember back in dim history, some decades ago, the furore over the animosity between Greek and Turkish Cypriots with murder and mayhem and promise of a total upending of joint residency on that island being in question. Solved eventually with the creation of a wall separating the two inchoate enmities. With a solid pacifying presence of United Nations peackeepers intent on keeping the two apart.

And thus has it been ever since. But just last week a small portion of that concrete divider fell under the roar of bulldozers, ostensibly enabling the curious from either side to cross over to the other. A shopping district in the middle of Cyprus suddenly unbarricaded. Reconciliation? The opportunity for the opposites to once again become acquainted with the potential for living together in peace? So close, yet so far.

The Greek Cypriot government evidently took it upon itself to experiment with this question by partial demolition of the decades-old barrier. To see what manner of response might ensue from the Turkish Cypriot government on the issue of reuniting Cyprus. The wall was soon replaced by screens, with armed soldiers back to guarding the area. Still, the residents remain optimistic.

Will Turkey respond, or will it not? After all, this very issue of recalcitrance toward reuniting is one that the European Union has put on the table for Turkey's acceptance. To dismantle the wall, to encourage both peoples to become re-acquainted and drop their animosity-filled resentment toward one another would be a huge step forward in civility. The Greek Cypriot government now awaits the Turkish Cypriot armed forces withdrawal and if that proceeds, the Greeks will do likewise.

This was a unilateral act by the Cypriot Greeks, they did not confer with the Turks, nor did they give them warning it was to occur. Reminiscent of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Reflective of the deadly animosity between Palestinians and Israelis. Each societal conflict has been well aged in history. Each has both territorial disagreements, cultural and religious differences at play.

The Palestinians now face the imposition of a detested wall separating them from the Israeli presence. A necessity in the view of Israel whose citizens were being blown up by jihadist terrorists for whom the wall has proved to be an effective deterrent. An unnecessary punishment in the view of Palestinians, chafing under the dreadful affront to their dignity and the inconveniencing of their daily lives.

Middle ground is what it takes. Perhaps rather more difficult at this time for the Israelis and the Palestinians since so much raw hatred and bitter bloodshed has too recently occurred. But perhaps this is what the future holds there, too. And sanity will eventually prevail.