Do the right words even exist?
I’ve found it hard to know what to write this week. I had something in my mind that had I planned to write about, but the conflict between Israel and Palestine has made it all seem rather trivial.
I've been reflecting on my post last year about the business of War, in which I concluded that a sustainable business is also a pro peace business. No matter what the country or time in history, war brings nothing but suffering to the majority of people affected. However, decisions to go to war are often made, or at least encouraged, by a powerful minority who stand to benefit from the conflict. This of course includes political leaders trying to increase or maintain their power, but there are often also financial influences. As just on example, profits for weapons manufacturers nearly always increase as a result of increased military conflict and cynical as it might sound, their business depends on it. At the core of our capitalist economy is the marketing engine that generates artificial demand for products and services, and the military-industrial complex is no different.
On a shareholder earnings call in 2015 when questioned about the potential impact of Iran agreeing to dismantle much of its nuclear program, the Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin, Marillyn Hewson, seemed unconcerned. She stated that she believed that an Iran deal “really isn’t coming up,” but that even if it did then “volatility all around the region” should continue to bring in new business. She went on to explain that “a lot of instability” in both the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region means that both are “growth areas” for Lockheed Martin and that they had set a goal to grow their revenue from overseas customers up from 20 percent “to 25 percent over the next few years”. In other words, when you sell weapons, peace treaties are a threat and conflict is an opportunity for growth. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘conflict of interest’.
But there are many businesses whose interests are peaceful and aligned with the best interests of society. Just one example is Zaytoun, a Community Interest Company in the UK who help Palestinian farmers create resilient communities by creating a market to sell their products abroad.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of being invited to sit in on a meeting at the Houses of Parliament in London where they discussed the challenges faced by Palestinian farmers. I sat at the back and tried to contain my sadness as I heard the heartfelt stories of personal struggle faced by farmers who simply wanted to live their lives and provide for their families.
As if things weren’t already hard enough, the new conflict comes at a time of year when hard working farmers would normally be harvesting their olives and dates that they have lovingly tended through the year, creating yet more strain on livelihoods and food security.
At a time like this, it's natural for us to feel helpless, but we must stay optimistic. There’s no better time to deeply reflect on how lucky most of us are to live in peaceful societies and for us to focus on unity rather than division.
For more information about the situation within Palestine and ways to help, I recommend checking out this page on the Zaytoun website that also links to further resources, and perhaps support them by picking up some of their incredibly delicious foods while you're at it.
Tom you're a legend!