Panel discusses peace strategies for Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Panelists say both sides are tired of the conflict.

By Krissy Tripp

Published Feb. 27, 2009

Four panelists discussed Thursday the prospects and perspectives of peace to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Students for Progressive Action and the Columbia Peace Coalition sponsored the discussion. The four panelists were graduate students Saleem Alhabash and Uthayla Abdullah, UM-St. Louis Israeli Lentz Fellow Sapir Handelman and Boone Tikkun member Theodore Koditschek.

The panelists had five minutes to give a brief initial speech of their opinions on the matter. Alhabash spent his five minutes explaining the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Koditschek said there are many sides to the conflict. Members of both sides believe they can get rid of the other, he said, but others recognize there must be a compromise.

Abdullah said people must view both sides as human, not simply right and wrong.

"When you look at conflict, I think there is a tendency for a split to occur," she said. "People associate with one side and neglect the other."

She said that causes a problem because it allows for politics to overshadow humanity when people become too focused on their point of view.

Handelman stressed both sides want peace, but don't know how to achieve it.

"Both societies are tired of fighting," he said. "They're tired of conflict, but we have no peace strategy."

That, he said, is why the situation is so dangerous.

Then the panelists were given five minutes to discuss their views on how Israel and Palestine may achieve peace.

Koditschek explained the facts and history of recent conflicts. He said Israel made the initial acts to begin the conflict. While the government has declared they want peace, they have settled further and further west since the 1970s.

Alhabash said the acts should not be called genocide, but politicide. He said it is important to ask what kind of peace Israelis and Palestinians are looking for, and what kind of peace is viable to create stability on both sides. He also said he feels Americans have a tendency to support Israel without knowing the whole story.

"Go ahead and support Israel," he said. "But do not support them blindly."

Handelman said the situation must be solved by compromise.

Abdullah said there is a lack of valid information provided to the U.S. Americans are often ignorant of the Middle East because the media does not always provide accurate accounts.

"In order for peace to occur, there has to be an understanding," Abdullah said.

Then the discussion was opened for the audience to bring forth questions and comments to the panel.

In response to a question about the religious aspect of the conflict, Alhabash said the conflict is not about religion.

"The conflict is not about religion," he said. "It's about land. It's about resources."

Handelman said there is an aspect of religion in the conflict, but there are multiple aspects. He said there are political and economic conflicts as well.

Abdullah said Americans perceive a more religious conflict than exists because it is such an easy common denominator for the media to use.

Alhabash said some Palestinians do look to the U.S. to help mediate the problem because the U.S. is the only player who can exert pressure onto Israel to compromise after a comment was brought up focusing the role of the U.S. in the conflict.

An argument erupted when Handelman called the comments of an audience member propaganda. Alhabash explained even the exercise was good because it illustrates the lack of acceptance from both sides of the conflict.

"This is what it's like back home," he said.