In the Holy Land

As a long-time Middle East correspondent, I often speak to various interest groups in synagogues, mosques, churches, and elsewhere. Years ago, I liked to tell a tale of how difficult it was to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

Three people — a Catholic Northern Irishman, a Black South African, and a Palestinian (or an Israeli, depending on the group) — were given a chance to visit heaven and ask God one question.

The Catholic Irishman went first. He said that his people had been at war with the Protestants for most of a century, and there was no end in sight. “Will my people ever find peace?” he asked.

“Yes, my son,” said God, “but not in your lifetime.”

“Thank you, Father,” said the Irishman, somewhat encouraged about the future.

The Black South African then said: “Holy Father, we have been under the yoke of white settlers for more than a century. Will we ever be...