A Holy Land Perspective on the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together

This article proposes a contextual reading of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together from the Israel/Palestine context. What are the elements in this document that are most meaningful within the context of the decades’ longconflict between Israelis and Palestinians? In the development of Zionism, PalestineArab nationalism and the promotion of British interests in Palestine, religion was mobilized as a legitimation for ideology and a justification of violence in the bloody conflict that followed as these ideologies clashed. Aspects of Judaism, Islam and Christianity became inseparable in the weave of these ideologies, drafting God to the side of those engaged in the struggle. The Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together seeks to modify this role of religion. What are the perspectives that it opens up? What can be the role of religious leaders if the reflect on the principles in this document?