In My Secret Life
Throughout this week in City Hall, I have had a series of delegations from Israel and Palestine. The Abraham Foundation brought Arab Citizens of Israel who make up almost 20 per cent of the Israeli population. They were here to learn from our own peace process as they approach the thorny issue of reconciliation in their own land. I was also joined by the Shades Program group which works with Palestinians and Israelis who are young leaders in their communities.
One of my Palestinian visitors, former town mayor Muhammad Alnabari, spoke of losing his 24-year-old son. “The worst thing,” he said, “is I still don’t know who killed him or how he died.” And yesterday at our faiths’ gathering, Sheikh Mohammed El Rashidi, revealed that he hailed from Egypt. Of course, the withering news from Egypt and Syria and the slaughter of innocents has made for chilling television viewing. While we cherish our fragile peace, the Middle-East remains a cauldron of suffering and distress. And the world looks on. All of which reminds me of the powerful Leonard Cohen song, ‘In My Secret Life’ with its mournful lines:
Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
