Humanity forgotten in war-torn Mideast
Jessica Smith
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: News
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Twenty-two days of fighting ensued before the two sides finally agreed to a unilateral ceasefire on Jan. 18.
The ceasefire is holding, although the damage this conflict has once again caused to the peace process between these two countries and the Middle East gives little hope for either side that a lasting solution is near.
When asked how to achieve a solution for lasting peace between Palestine and Israel, Noor Alsadi, a Palestinian student at ASU, said, "I think the two state solution is the only solution, but with that comes Israel's obligation to respect the sovereignty of Palestine and not invade, and not attack it, and not bombard it."
"I don't see Israel doing [this] anytime soon. There has to be a major foreign policy change not only in Israel, but in America," Alsadi said.
As to whether or not people in Israel think peace is possible, Matt Kimmel, a Jewish Global Studies student at ASU, believes that 30 or 40 years ago people were more optimistic.
He said that sentiment is changing as the years of fighting wears down the hopes of the people for ever finding a peaceful resolution.
Israel responded to Hamas's rocket attacks with overwhelming force, and according to the United Nations, after the three-week offensive more than 1,300 Palestinians were killed and 5,300 more wounded.
Israel also suffered casualties; 13 citizens were killed, 10 of them members of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Additionally, reports indicate that 500 Israelis were wounded, 183 of them civilians.
"Israel wants peace and they're doing what they need to do to achieve that goal. The army is doing what's appropriate to seek peace and protect the people," said Erin Searle, director of programming and outreach for Hillel at ASU.
"Israel is dealing with terrorist groups. They don't recognize Israel's right to exist," she added.
Kimmel, who leaves this month for Israel to study Arabic and international relations, offered a hypothetical situation to explain his perspective on Israel's response.
"If terrorists in Mexico started launching rockets into San Diego, the U.S. would respond with force, any country would. Now did they use an inappropriate amount of force? That's heavily debatable."
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