RE: "Mayor's Housing Offer Sets Off Row in Jerusalem" (25 February 2010)
The conflicts between Israel and Palestine are not by any means new. Everything within the state is affected by this ethnic division. Housing is no exception. The article discussed Mayor Nir Barkat's new plan to demolish a Palestinian neighborhood and rebuild it up as a high-class residency. The current residents worry that they are being kicked out to make way for Jewish families to take over. As the article mentioned, this clearly exemplifies the tensions and mistrust both groups have towards each other. However, I do not think this is a religious debate. Rather, it is a political debate under the tensions of religious differences. It is because religion is the most prominent division that it gets most of the blame, and neither side is willing to see how events affect others. This ignorance has dragged the problem on for centuries and it is time to end. Perhaps Barkat's plan will fail and the situation worsens, or perhaps it will actually succeed and relations will improve. But who can say until it is done?
Kellye T.
26 February 2010
Greeley, Colo.
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