Connections,+PHL,+(Justin,+Jordan,+Vong)

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= **_.,-=~'`** __**Connections**__ `'~=-,._ =
 * [[image:http://i.imgur.com/g3BHY.png]] || **Justin's Delectably Audacious Bedazzlement of Erudition:**

Over the course of this section I discovered many things. I think studying something as current and complex as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is truly fascinating and allows me to develop not only a sense of the culture and basics of the issue itself, but also develop an ability to analyze information in a way one does not really analyze other things. Take practically any scientific experiment at the basic level courses of this school. These experiments do develop a sense of critical thinking but mostly in the realm of factual memorization. The thing that makes this class, and particularly this issue, intriguing is that critical thinking takes on a whole new aspect; the implication of your own subjective beliefs and morality. There is not a single answer to be given for a solution to this problem because of how delicate and complex it is. Take the peacemaker demonstration, it really gives you a sense of just how complex it really is and how each side has its own complexities, forming a tapestry of conflicts if you will. But the only way to truly understand this subject and attempt to find a solution is to look at the facts and opinions of those involved. The readings of Chacour and Netanyahu gave us these opinions, facts, and factual opinions. We were presented with two sides of the conflict that varied in history, policy, religion, and much more. It is hard to say that I particularly disagree with either side as I can understand just how polar opposite they can be on the same issue. One of the reasons this division occurs is the difference in religion whether it be Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. Although I do believe that your religion should define who you are and how you live your life, studying this issue made me rethink just how far we should take this concept. The Israelis truly believe that they are God's chosen people and that Israel was land given to them by God. But it may be easier for Jews and Christians to understand this because it is in our religious text such as Exodus 32:13, as opposed to say a Muslim. Because the majority of Palestinians and other Arab nations around them are Islamic they may not have the same view as we do regarding Israel. The Palestinians, who include many ethnicities and tribes, have lived in Palestine for centuries. Some even say that the verse is meant to include not only the Jews but the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which means it would include many more people than just the Jews. But it is the complex semantics surrounding the issue such as this that makes the conflict so hard to completely understand and encompass, and even harder to solve. But that's just my two cents, in reward for reading up until this point I give you this amazing Internet Picture, Thank you. ||


 * [[image:http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/29654_388067259117_617044117_4059458_2931865_n.jpg width="216" height="190"]] || **Vong's Deepest Darkest Thoughts:**

Before this section, I had a very weak foundation on the Israelite and Palestinian problems. It was interesting studying both sides of the problem from both perspectives to further my knowledge of the situation. Can peace come to the Holy Land? According to the “one state solution” article from the secondary readings, it says, “the Jews of Israel founded their country on the belief that living as a minority among other peoples almost caused their annihilation. They would never agree to a proposal that would surely relegate them eventually to being a minority in their own homeland.” The Jews do have the right of claim for Israel being their homeland as it is stated in Genesis 13: 14-16. God made a covenant with Abram claiming the promise land for his descendants. Because of this belief, it will be extremely tough for the Jews to accept any peace agreements that involves, letting the Palestinians stay. From the Palestinian perspective, they will not let go of the land easily as well because they were there first and have nowhere else to go. After looking at both sides, I have concluded that peace in the Holy Land will not be easy to come about, but it is possible. As a Christian and an American, I believe that the USA should keep trying to support a resolve to the conflicts in Israel. In the “Israel’s Survival at Stake” article “Mrs. Clinton used her speech to urge Mr. Netanyahu to take concrete steps to aid peace talks with the Palestinians, including demonstrating respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, stopping settlement activity and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Palestinian leadership and Israel’s Arab neighbors also needed to do more”. I believe it will come down to the last part that Mrs. Clinton mentions that more is needed to be done from the leaders. There are innocent people who are suffering, as Elias Chacour did who do not have to. Until either side is willing to make their selves vulnerable, a peace agreement is still far away. I believe that the idea of a one-state would benefit the situation. If both sides are willing to circum to a one-state I am sure that, the leaders will work something out for the Jews and Palestinians to have an equal voice in Israel. Peace will come to the Holy Land when there is unity between the Palestinians and the Jews. ||


 * [[image:http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417605_191792840928871_100002944698043_329033_1080794152_n.jpg width="193" height="266"]] || **Norton's Life on a Stick:**

I always knew about the conflict in Israel between the Palestines and Jews but i knew really nothing more than that there was a conflict. I did not know that it had been going on for as long as it has been. So to address the question, “can peace come to the holy land?”, i will start with the very last chapter of Blood Brothers. The author is talking about Elias Chacour who was an integral part of the peace movement in Israel. He has won multiple awards for his works, one of which stuck out to me was that he built a school which as of when this book was written, is the only non-Jewish school and it enrolls students of all different races. Israel needs more Elias Chacour's. People stepping up like this is going to be the deciding factor in stopping the conflicts in Israel. Next, he tries to answer the question, “is there hope that the conflict will end?”. He gives a glimpse into how brutal and awful the situation really is. The side we do not see on television here in America. He concludes that he sees the hope of this situation in the “Christian relief workers giving their lives to serve Jew and Palestinian alike” Blood Brothers pg. 187. I would totally agree with that. So as for the question of “Can the conflict be stopped?”. I think it is a definite yes. But another question arises, “Will more people like Chacour step up and help end this awful pointless war?”. ||

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