A meeting last week that joined AMI (American Movement for Israeli) and SAFE (Students Allied for Freedom and Equality) was meant to show that two sides, Pro-Israelis and Pro-Palestinians, can come together and talk about goals for reaching peace. Unfortunately, through the letters to the editor and the Daily comment board, the two sides seem as far apart as ever. Here are some excerpts:

“How do 1.5 million starving Gazans view SAFE's efforts, in collaborating with the American Movement for Israel? Are you proud to collaborate with the American Movement for Israel, which would seem to end all discussion of any action against Israel?”

“Violence in recent weeks reveals the dichotomy between Israeli and Palestinian interpretations of ceasefire. For Israelis, a ceasefire means laying down weapons in order to resolve a conflict diplomatically. For Hamas, a ceasefire is a means of using peace to rearm.”
 

“But that is Israel for you; arrogant, violent, and more dangerous than any other entity left loose in the middle east today. Boycott Israel!”
 

“Only once Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is recognized can true dialogue be possible as it relates to policies and future actions and the Daily’s vision of fruitful debate can be fulfilled.”
 

“There is no more Apartheid South Africa. That's a good thing!
There will also be no more Apartheid Israel, ready to hurl nukes at Arabs and Muslims worldwide. What is wrong with abolishing apartheid states?”
 

“Palestinians love Hamas. The majority elected them in Gaza. Don't pretend that Hamas doesn't represent the Palestinian public opinion. They do. This is why Israel has no partner for peace.”
 

“The Israeli government’s blockade of essential food and medical shipments to Gaza makes absolutely no sense. Medication and food cannot be used as weapons, so this policy doesn’t even make sense from the perspective of defending Israel’s security”
 

“And the soldiers weren't taken hostage, they were tortured and executed after being kidnapped on their OWN SOIL. How much more of a blatant attack do you need to legitimize fighting a war.”

“Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must do so wisely. Capturing or killing terrorists in Hamas is one thing, but an over-reaction based on collective punishment will only help the groups who fire these rockets.”

“The Israel haters on campus defend Hamas, excuse the genocide in Darfur, hate America, and can't wait for Iran to get nuclear weapons. I wonder whether smart and rational thinking Americans will side with them?”

So there you have a taste of the back and forth that’s been going on for almost a week now in the Daily, and I’ll close with probably the smartest quote I read,

“I've seen America elect a Black president when no one thought we were ready for it, now I want to see Israel and Palestine exist in a just peace.”

Can it happen?