It seems all we do is go back and forth lashing back statistics and opinions in defense of either the Palestinians or Israelis. Instead of listening to what each other has to say, we are too busy planning what we are going to say in retaliation rather than trying to understand the other side.
The bottom line is too much blood has been spilled on both sides. Too many Israeli and Palestinian lives have been unjustifiably taken. I don’t think it is fair to claim that the Students for Justice and Peace in the Middle East have been deceiving anyone but rather raising awareness on an issue seldom heard of. The statistics and facts presented were not attacking the people of Israel in any way because in fact, 63 percent of Israelis do not support the occupation of Palestine and most humanitarian groups volunteering are Israeli-based.
People tend to forget that Palestinian blood is just as valuable as Israeli; we are all human beings with a longing to live in peace where our children can grow and prosper. I encourage the Pro-Israeli representatives to come to the events of SJPME in a constructive way with facts that are actually legitimate, rather than having to say “Well I didn’t type these facts so I don’t know if they are correct.” If you hate someone, you hate something in him that is a part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.
Nadeen Qaru
Construction management senior