Today an Israeli soldier was killed and four others were wounded by an explosive device that targeted their vehicle on the Gaza Strip border. Israel retaliated and a Palestinian farmer was killed while tilling his field. It seems that the cycle of violence continues despite a fragile ceasefire.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Obama recently spoke to Al Arabia news station about the Middle East conflict. This was his first official interview since becoming president. He is calling for better dialogue between the U.S. and the Arab/Muslim world. Dialogue is good but doesn’t go far enough. Words must be followed by tangible (not symbolic) actions. The Arab and Muslim worlds should respond by calling for better policies from the U.S. and the West, particularly towards the Israeli-Arab conflict.

It a shame that we in the Mideast-Arab and Jews have to repeat these cycles.

As usual the pawns are civilians who pay the highest price

Cycles that leave scorched earth behind and no real attempt to understand the the other  side. Self delusion about being correct and just in whatever you do, is apparently the block to any change, it goes for both religious and secular actors in the Middle east

David, it pains me to see dead and burned men, women and  children in Gaza. Today there was a story on Al Alam television. The reporter said that the wounds of this war will never heal over time because the scars of this war will remain on the bodies of its victims forever. Certainly, the IDF has prided itself for having a purity of arms. Palestinians are all too familiar with such purity. But this is not purity, this is inhumanity. According to reports on the ground, the weapons the IDF is using makes people loose their eyes and sight. They will never see again. Forget eye to eye.  For 18 days, Arab and Western leaders have remained silent despite the extreme human suffering in Gaza. When will it end? How many people have to die? How many people have to go blind?

it is difficult to get away from the war and its impact on everything you believe in. As Israeli Army bombs Gaza I do not recognize it,as the army I served in. It is brut force,that leaves behind it only scorched earth, it is not eye for an eye but 100 eyes for and eye.

david

DAVID: For me growing up in the Middle East meant Eye for an Eye. The Arabs as a rule would be in your crosshair and not potential partners for a life together. As war is a way of life in the Middle East, and as I grew up in Jerusalem, one of the most polarized cities in the world, this should not surprise you. I know that you live and spent your childhood away from the conflicts of our area, but for sure your family passed on to you what is happening. As a child and member of the Israeli Army I came to my awakening to a need to be EYE TO EYE later in my life. In 1967 when the occupation brought me face to face with my fellow Palestinians. The story of my relations with the Palestinians I will tell you some other time. To be brainwashed about the “eternal enemy” is a very easy process we undergo- demonizing the other side. As we come from such different background, I find it amazing that we ready for this honest talk. This talk would not be possible in the Middle East. It happens after we work together for the sat 5 years. We should open up this option, to all possible directions. You strike me as a person who wants to reach out and see and listen to the “Other”. As I am so different than others- Jewish, Secular, Male and Israeli.

SOUHEILA: I lived away from the conflict area all my life. But spending summers in the Middle East, I was always close and I was always reminded of the conflict that existed just beyond the borders of Syria, where my parents came from more than 30 years ago. For me Eye 2 Eye is way to know and speak to you and to all in an honest and open way. In the Middle East, Arabs are conditioned to think one way about Israel and the subsequent governments that rule. Most Arabs have probably never met a Jew or an Israeli. They only know the other through their television sets and newspapers. I have met and befriended many people from the Jewish faith (among many others). After five years of working with you and I look forward to this experiment in communication. Especially now, as the Gaza Strip is embroiled in a fierce war. Israel vs Gaza. Sadly, too many people are dying. And for what? The situation is so bad that I did even not want to start this blog because I was so sad and frustrated about the future there. Ultimately communication and dialogue with the other is what will get the Israelis and Palestinians out of this mess. Not war. I think that together through our own dialogue we can do something positive ( even if it’s small) to contribute to the idea that Jews, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians can coexist peacefully. After all we are on race, the human race. I too am very different- American, Arab, Muslim, Conservative, and Female!