The Pollyanna principle is the human tendency to remember pleasant times more accurately than unpleasant times. In discussing the current state of affairs between Israel and Palestine with a very close friend, I was accused of Pollyannaism when I noted that I saw signs of hope in the conflict. This caused me to reflect as to whether or not my friend's statement was true.
I have been politically active since the 1980s and I have studied the evolution of human rights throughout history. In doing so, I have seen patterns that repeat. Gandhi put it quite beautifully: "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always."
The situation in Palestine today has much in common with the situation in South Africa before the fall of apartheid. We have a population armed to the teeth, justified by its government, oppressing a group of people that they see as a threat. Palestinians have fewer rights than Israelis and the territory that they have left is threatened under continued Israeli expansion. Israel is also given unquestioning support by many foreign governments. On the surface there appears to be little reason for hope.
If we look beyond appearances however, we see the situation in a very different light. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has been going on since the 1940s. As late as the 1980s to say that one supported the Palestinian cause was akin to saying that one supported terrorism. The Jewish American scholar Noam Chomsky, for example, drew tremendous scorn for his stand on the Palestinian issue, as did British actress Vanessa Redgrave. Until recently, to say that one was pro-Palestinian was to risk being labeled as anti-Semitic, which is quite ironic considering that Palestinians are also Semites.
Today the situation is quite different.
Those who speak up for Palestinians on the world stage are seen for what they are, people who want to see justice. What is most encouraging, however, is the courage of Jewish scholars, journalists and activists. The global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is supported by vocal groups within Israel, calling for a "boycott from within". In other words, they are encouraging people to boycott and impose sanctions on their own country due to its violation of human rights. Journalists like Gideon Levy bravely speak out in the Israeli and global media and have developed a significant following. There are also groups like The Jewish Voice for Peace and Jews for Justice for Palestine springing up all over the world.
Those who work for human rights are eventually successful, despite how hopeless their situations appear. Leaders like Gandhi, King and Mandela seem to have been aware of this and they moved forward with unquestioning confidence. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Gideon Levy stated, "When you believe in what you do, you have no other choice."
Knowing that a time of peace and justice is coming for the Palestinian people is not Pollyannaism, it is simply the inevitable truth.
