JERUSALEM – A week and a half ago I was sitting at home in the United States. Now I’m in the middle of one of the most conflicted areas in the world — the Middle East, taking a class at Jerusalem University College. During the course of the class we have the wonderful opportunity to travel around Israel and even into the Palestinian territory.
Like many Americans I have my thoughts and perspective of the current conflict between Israel and the government of Palestine. However, until I traveled to this area of the world my perspective was only through the eyes of other people and the television screen. Being in the center of this conflict has allowed me to form a more substantial opinion of the current situation. With every passing day my thoughts on various issues change and evolve. Something that I once believed yesterday may not be what I believe today.
Most people in this region all want the same thing — peace. The only question, one that has been asked for centuries, is how to best go about bringing peace to this region that has only seen glimpses of it throughout history. This question is one that I am asking people as I have traveled throughout the Holy Land.
One of the biggest issues in answering that question has to do with the security of the Israeli and Palestinian people. Policy decisions from the Israeli government, such as the wall and checkpoints, have come to the forefront of this discussion.
After talking to people on both sides I feel that there is a need for the wall and the increased checkpoints. This is not an official endorsement of all policies of the Israeli government, but I do feel that these two have merit.
From what I have seen, I view extremist groups as the primary aggressors in this conflict. Since the Palestinian people have failed to prevent their own from taking part in terrorist attacks on their neighbor Israel, the wall and checkpoints are for security of the Israelis.
Think what America would do if there were rockets and suicide bombers coming across our borders, we would do much more than build a wall and check points. Since the increased checkpoints and the establishment of the wall the security situation in Israel has greatly improved.
As for the Palestinian people these measures have caused great hardship to the majority who are non violent and want peace. For a Palestinian to cross a checkpoint they are required to have their papers with them and are searched — not just their body but also their car. This creates an atmosphere of resentment towards the Israelis because these searches do last a long time, are invasive, and many times the Palestinians are not allowed to pass. These checkpoints separate families and the people from their holy sites.
Let me make clear that I love both the Israeli and Palestinian people — they are both kind and caring. Neither has treated me wrongly while I have been in the Middle East. I believe in my heart that they can live among each other peacefully, if given the opportunity by the extremist groups.
To achieve this peace there must be some give and take from both sides of the border. The best way to obtain this is not by a military mindset, but that of a diplomatic one. Peace talks must be restarted and the people of both sides must hold their government accountable to maintain a mindset of peace.
Ask me tomorrow and my thought and views may be different — only time will tell.
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