Gaza Violence Raises Questions of Conflict Resolution

The conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to grow. Protestors against the barrier in Bi’lin raise their flags and hands in peaceful protest against the wall that is taking Palestinian land. This photo was taken in Palestine during one of many protests by the people. (Photo: Jessica Sarriot)

Many have been affected by the events going on in Gaza, both on and off campus. Thirteen hundred Palestinians have been killed, including civilians, as well as 13 Israelis since late December. Last Wednesday, Jan. 21, students attended the “Panel on the Gaza Conflict,” which took place in Common Grounds. Students and members of the EMU community came with questions, and the panelists expressed their viewpoints.

Three speakers explained their opinions on the Israel-Gaza problem, and spoke about some of the issues that may be causing the deadly conflict. The opinions and experiences they shared provoked students to ask questions. The speakers were Krista Johnson, Ed Nicholas, and David Kreider, all of whom are EMU graduate students in the CJP program. Johnson worked at Sabeel, a Palestinian organization in Jerusalem that consists of liberation theology, working towards peace, justice and reconciliation with Palestine and Israel. Kreider grew up on the Israeli side of Gaza and, at the age of 16, ended up going to the same high school as Nicholas, who grew up on the Palestinian side of the divide.

Various opinions were shared and questions asked. For instance, studnts wondered “why would Israel react with such violence?” and “who’s pulling the strings?” One of the speakers pointed out the defensive traits of Israel, considering that they are a small Jewish country surrounded by many Arabic ones. Israel does not want to be shown as powerless; this idea became recognized as an important position in the discussion. Another prominent statement made was that Israel would not have been able to go this far without aid from America.

Sophomore Jessica Sarriot expressed her opinion: “The ‘war’ (or is it an attempt at ethnic cleansing?) in Gaza was a blatantly obvious example of Israel’s historically disproportionate responses and disregard for international law.” Sarriot mentions how using phosphorus weapons in most countries around the world is against international law. The “bombing of schools, mosques and homes is horrifying… Israeli lives are no less precious than Palestinian lives.” She goes on to say that if we simply point out that both nations are in the wrong, then we are all failing to see “the power differential, as well as all the historical facts that underlay this conflict.”

Nicholas quoted a doctor in Gaza who said, “there will never be any peace unless there is justice…There are some radical Palestinians and some radical Israeli’s that wouldn’t want peace, but the majority do. They want peace with justice, for their kids to grow up in a better place.” Nicholas concluded the meeting stating that the election may be over, but that the progress that needs to be made is not.