Israel/Palestin

Op/Ed

The conflict of Israel and Palestine is something that is talked about so much that some might say it is, "beating a horse with a dead stick," and if there is so much talk, why is there so little action being done on the success of solution to the conflict. Israel and Palestine have had their "odds and ends" on and off throughout history, however things have been especially heated since World War Two. Basically, the Jewish people needed a place to go, since obviously their home was destroyed, and much the world had much sympathy for them. Israel was what came to be the solution to the problem; Israel was declared a state, and the Palestinian people, who were sharing and living in the land, were told all of a sudden where they could and couldn't live. Since it is said in the biblical times, that the land of Israel belongs to the Jews, many of the Jewsish population believe that they have the divine right to own and live in the land, however the big conflict arises because the Palestinians have been living in the land for just as long, if not longer, than the Jews. So who has the right to live in the land? Obviously both sides have a legitimate point and reason for being there, but who is right? This is the main reason for all the war and conflict between the two states today. There has been constant fighting since the two states were created, and such drastic measures, such as completely shutting off power, and even food and gas to the Palestinians, have happened because of the fighting. When I say that the topic has been beaten over and over again, it's because it is true; everybody on both sides and around the world wants the fighting to stop; what is gained from people dying, especially when it is happening on both sides? Of course what needs to happen is a solution, but when the brightest people in the nation can't even come up with a descent plan, you know that's saying something. My point here is that this conflict is one that has no quick solution. There has been so much damage to both sides since the two states have been created, that it will take much more than just talking to solve this issue. In my opinion, the greatest healing power to the situation will be time. If laws and peace treaties are put into action, things will change, but will this change the hearts of the single individuals who are more than happy and willing to die for their country and its rights? My simple answer is no. This is happening right now in Iraq; America is trying to fix the mess that they've started, and it is not the people of the country as a whole that are causing the problem, it is those that are the fundamental Muslims who want to kill in Allah's name. These people are a small population of Muslims, however the biggest problem that is faced, is the fact that they believe that what they are doing is right and honoring to their religion and faith; we are the bad guys to them, and mainly because we do not have the same beliefs. This same analogy can be applied to the Israeli Palestinian conflict; there is virtually no way, at least not even a moderately easy way, to change the views of someone who is very passionate in what they believe. This conflict is going to take time: time to forget the pain that everyone is experiencing from the events, time to be able to trust one another, time to establish governments that respect each other, and even time to break down the physical wall that separates the two. Every single one of the solutions I present take a great deal of time and effort. There is no doubt that the people want peace; everyone, or most everyone, wants peace, even if they are the ones fighting. If the question: would you rather be fighting in war, or be spending time with friends and family in a safe environment? was asked to a wide range of people, I can safely say that over ninety percent would choose the friends and family. We know what both sides in the conflict want and that is to be able to live in peace, but it will take understanding and cooperation for this to happen. When one's mind is scarred from the effects of war, this lasts a lifetime and is not forgotten easily, if ever. This conflict can only be helped by time to realize what is best, and time to get past the past, which can and certainly will be the hardest thing to do.