The war drums are beating faster and louder by the day. Headlines continue to flash “Iran’s nuclear program, war is nearing, US-Iran-Israel, Will the US Army attack Iran?” and so on and so forth. In the middle of heavy war talk, dissident voices from across the world are emerging through the internet and sending out messages of love to Iran and Israel. The recent campaign “Israel loves Iran” (video below) was started by a group of Israeli’s who wanted to challenge and prevent war between the countries. The message is simple: we love you.
The campaign has grown exponentially over the weeks as Iranians and people from all over the world have joined to reciprocate and share the message of love. Though heavy internet censorship increases difficulty for people in Iran to join the discourse, Iranians abroad have expressed equal love for Israelis. Surely, 50,000 Facebook “likes” cannot represent the opinions of all Iranians and Israelis but the initiative is more than just numbers. The movement, regardless of numbers, is positive progress towards peace. Unlike conventional leaders and governments who continue to use tired methods of “defense,” citizens are taking the power in their hands to not only dismiss war but to introduce the path towards a peaceful world.
Responses on social media networks vary between doubtful, supportive and direct rejection. Skeptics question if love can solve deep-rooted political issues while supporters congratulate the initiative by spreading and joining the love revolution. Public polls support both ends of the spectrum. Contrary to the campaign, data from the Pew Research Center (2011) indicates that only 6% of Israelis are favorable of Iran. However, a more recent poll conducted by Tel Aviv University Guttmann Center found that 62.9 percent of Israelis strongly or moderately oppose an Israeli unilateral attack on Iran.
Clearly the love is not felt by all but, if the message is positive – which it is, then why reject it? Have we, the human race run so far from the truth that we really believe war and hatred is the only solution to our problems? Do the words “love and peace” scare society? Have governments and elected leaders convinced us that profits and egos are more than important humanity? How many more love videos will it take before the governments start listening to us?
So many complicated questions and only one simple answer can heal our problems in the end.
With a little bit of love, our differences can disappear and no matter how long it will take the world to learn this, we need to continue to move in the right direction. We often underestimate how incredible humans are. Our capacity to love and forgive is greater than we think and that is exactly what this campaign has proven. The campaign has also reminded us that our problems are man-made while love is inherent. True forgiveness arrives hand in hand with love, and communication is the first step in this global shift.
Certainly peace through diplomacy is not a new idea that was just discovered. Rather, peace through effective online citizen diplomacy is a new, bold and unique means that reaches a larger and more specific audience. New age media has enabled citizens to learn, teach, and gather fellow netizens to provoke this new age peace and love revolution where love trumps past misunderstandings and differences.
Perhaps the campaign will stir love or perhaps it will not help avoid military conflict but the main point here is that citizens are effectively using their resources to promote peace and love. So far in history we haven’t solved anything through hatred and war so now, without the help of officially elected leaders, citizens are taking initiative to rectify the past through messages of love.
Regardless of age, race, status, gender or political views, this movement proves that at the end of the day love wins. Beyond political games and threats, we are all humans who just want to live a life without fear or hatred and the only cure to this disease is love.
By Sonja Be
Tweet @sonja_be
For more information visit: www.israellovesiran.com or facebook.com/israellovesiran
Odd, that simplicity is so easily replaced by confusion, ‘justified’ by a defensive stance, eventually leading to ‘protection’ at any cost. (We are a fascinating species, are we not?)
New kid in class. Moved here because of circumstances. Shall be judged on how well they will fit in. Rumours start, background check (more rumours) happen and opinions are quickly formed. Leads to “With us or against us?” (Every society, group, political situation.)
Who could simplify the “Jewish / Arabic conflict” – outside of possibly stop labelling it as such for a start, into something as simple as a kid in class? Well, as if I had any say – which I don’t, I would suggest to many that some basics of human society apply, be it on a world stage or a village or meeting, if I could.
You could get 2 brilliant people in 1 room to work on a problem and they would probably come to a brilliant solution within minutes. You get 5 or 6 brilliant people in a room to do the same and it will probably take hours or days, complete with fighting, egos, and individual insecurities etc., blocking forward thought and principle. Why?
Because it’s the way we’re wired. In my opinion, our societies (“West / East”) suffer the same basic insecurities, and gravitate toward that group in school or boardroom who have the more popular vote despite what we, as individuals, may feel.
We all want somebody to please break from the pack, such as Lach Welensea, Mahautma Ghandi, .. or perhaps we should stop waiting for a saviour and consider ourselves collectively, the answer. Be our own leader in our little, small way? It’s not that hard. Start with a realistic opinion about the new kid in class .. and stand up for it?
Thanks for the dialogue B.
Dennis,
Thanks for your brilliant insight. I couldn’t agree more with you – it’s often not as difficult as we make it but society has made us believe it is. We have created differences and walls instead of bridges and possibilities. We judge instead of learn. As you said, if only every person was a leader in their own way, this world would be very different. I am optimistic though, I believe people want to do good and be good but the walls of society can be intimidating to tear down sometimes. Step by step, we’ll get there. As Gandhi said, “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” Thanks again for your comments, D!
Sonja thank you for posting this! You are helping spread the message of Peace.
I appreciate your comment, Kapil! Thank you for reading!!