Gandhi used the word “satyagraha” to describe the unitive power of Love and Truth that is at the root of all Being and that can be unleashed to transform conflict and to create true peace, justice, and reconciliation. We often refer to it as “truth-holding”. It raises some questions:

• What is truth?

• Is it dependent on a particular individual’s point of view at a particular time and in a particular setting?

• Are there Universal Truths?

• How do we find Truth contextually in situations of violence and injustice?

One of the fundamental realizations is that no one holds all the Truth, but we hold pieces of it. To arrive at peace, justice, and reconciliation, we must first be willing to listen and learn the pieces of truth that others hold, especially those we would consider our enemies or opponents in situations of conflict. Being willing to listen and to hear the truth of another is the foundation of understanding, compassion, and love.

See https://gandhiteam.atlassian.net/l/cp/GGq3LQxw

The following example is an excerpt from the Pieces of Truth exercise about the Executive Order on Immigration (officially known as “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the US” and informally known as the “Muslim Ban”). It was executed by then-President Trump on 1/27/2017. It banned nationals of seven Muslim-majority “countries of concern” (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia) from entering the US for at least the next 90 days by executive order.  It also banned the entry of those fleeing from war-torn Syria indefinitely. It also stopped all refugee admissions for 4 months and called for a review into suspending the Visa Interview Waiver Program, which allowed travelers from 38 countries – including close allies – to renew travel authorizations without an in-person interview.

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• The current 2023 Israel–Hamas war is an armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups mostly in and around the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023 when militant groups launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. There are also clashes taking place in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and on the Israel–Lebanon border.

• October 7th marked the start of the most significant military escalation in the region in several decades.

• The current war is part of a larger and longer Gaza–Israel conflict that originates at least from 1948 when 200,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, settling in Gaza as refugees.

• Gaza saw major flare-ups of fighting between Palestinian militants and Israel in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021.

1. Israel: The State of Israel is a country in the Middle East with a parliamentary democratic system. Its involvement in the conflict stems from political, religious, and territorial disputes.

2. Hamas: This is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. Hamas has been in conflict with Israel due to ideological differences and territorial disputes.

Apart from these two main parties, there are also several other key participants:

1. Palestinian Authority: It is the interim self-government body established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its relations with Israel are complex and marked by periods of cooperation and conflict.

2. Other Palestinian Militant Groups: Besides Hamas, there are several smaller militant groups operating in Gaza who often engage in conflict with Israel. These include Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and others.

There are also various international participants that play a role in mediating the conflict or providing support to the parties involved:

• United States: The U.S. is a key ally of Israel and provides significant financial and military support. It often plays a mediator role in peace negotiations.

• United Nations: The UN has been involved in efforts to resolve the conflict and provide humanitarian assistance. Its various bodies, such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), provide aid to Palestinian refugees.

• Arab League: This regional organization, consisting of Arab countries, often supports the Palestinian cause and has attempted to mediate the conflict on numerous occasions.

• European Union: The EU and its member states are significant donors of aid to the Palestinians and have also attempted to mediate peace negotiations.

• Iran: Iran has provided support to Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups, exacerbating tensions with Israel.

• Egypt: Egypt shares a border with Gaza and has often served as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

These are the main participants, but the conflict also affects and involves many others, including non-governmental organizations, other Middle Eastern countries, and the global community at large.