‘Give peace a chance’ was the theme of one of John and Yoko’s bed-ins in 1969.

Apparently, they were reacting against the USA involvement in Vietnam. Given John’s talent at creating melodic lines, the song became a chant or anthem for many groups when they were lamenting a war somewhere, or when marching down a street in a protest.

I am wondering if those lyrics might help in our current swathe of protests around the country. Might it change the tone of them if, instead of calling out for the annihilation of a nation and its people, those demonstrators joined hands and sang, ‘Let’s give peace a chance…’ Then those trying to go about their lawful lives might join in rather than avoid the threatening noise, or be moved on because they might create ‘tension’.

Imagine (to take another Lennon line) what it might have been like if a former Australian of the Year had stood on the steps of the Sydney Town Hall and just started singing the chorus of Lennon’s song – (which is really the only sensible bit in it anyway). What an impression that would have made. What a gentle, strong spirit would have been conveyed. What sincerity of heart to do good would have been demonstrated.

Here’s another test for your imagination. What comes to mind if, during all those protest marches, the leader held high the Australian flag and the Israeli flag as well as the Palestinian one, and in time swayed to the simple but catchy, give peace a chance? That would have been world news. That would have seen us being world leaders in a different way.

Imagine – and I know this is getting harder – that on the steps of the Opera House in 2023, that Jews gathered there, with other nationalities from that region, and sang give peace a chance. Instead of flags, there could have been young people dressed in national costume waving flags rhythmically to the dulcet but captivating line, give peace a chance.

Let’s go one step further. Imagine a Foreign Minister who said to the leaders of the Palestinian Authority – when you make a promise not to want to destroy a country next to you, and demonstrate it by making the terrorist groups disarm – then we can give them an invitation to give peace a chance.

Or, what if the Prime Minister and the State Premiers invited all citizens to not use language that encourages hate and makes possible people thinking that violence against others is justified on the streets of our nation – and then insist on it with certain consequences – then they could lead the chorus, let’s give peace a chance?

And how wonderful if all the protesters did just that – gave up on attacking property and people’s faith – and then invited them to give peace a chance…

Apparently, there are two groups who of late have demonstrated such a spirit. The first is the Jews of Australia. They have constantly said they want to be examples of light amidst the darkness. Surely that is an invitation to give peace a chance?

The other group is what I saw on Andrew Bolt’s show recently – protesters drawing attention to what is happening in Iran with the terrible events under the current regime. They marched with Australian and Israeli flags, in genuinely peaceful mode – they were evidence of let’s give peace a chance.

Ah, I wonder if we will ever see peace have a chance again on all our streets in all modes of protest… Will we ever see different events wrapped in truth, forgiveness, and grace?

Or are there some who simply do not want this peace? Time will tell.