I could not read the interview that David suggested because that website is blocked by Syrian filters. So I can not speak to the interview directly. But I do agree, tribalism is ingrained in the psyche, not just in Israel-- it is universal, existing beyond the Middle East and it most likely will not go away for a very long time. It is the nature of our humanity.

Arabs do not trust the Israelis. Israelis do not trust the Arabs. This fact has long been a given in this formula called Middle East peace. But there is a greater problem at hand, at least in the Arab world: Arabs do not trust themselves. This lack of inter-Arab trust and unity has caused a total breakdown in any sort of peace process or prospect for negotiations with the Israelis. It has prevented Arabs from joining the global community and being an effective diplomatic bloc in international affairs.

Palestinians continue to bicker and fight among themselves. There are skirmishes between varying camps but they continue to appeal for so-called National Unity. In Lebanon, Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shia Arabs are in conflict. Within the Christian community in the country, there is no agreement and no trust. Just last week, two armed men shot a driver of car in the the neck. They pulled him out of his car and dumped him in the trunk of their own car, speeding off to a destination unknown. In Syria, where I am now, people have no trust in anyone, not the taxi driver, not the store owner, not even ordinary people on the street. I recently heard about a Syrian blogger, who was arrested and has disappeared. His whereabouts unknown. Let's hope my blogging does not lead to such fate. These may be small, singular incidents, but they symbolize a larger, more complicated dilemma.

How can Arabs expect to make peace with their so-called enemies, when they have not yet made peace with themselves, their tribes and their governments?

Yes, I think there are many ways. But I think that trust and confidence is low. People are not willing to move forward. Nonetheless, it should be noted that mosques, churches and synagogues have been dialoguing in various parts of the country. There is an exchange happening, but it is not at a point of critical mass. It is low-level and while such exchanges are opening hearts and minds, there is always more to be done. The need is always there.

Perhaps writing a poem, painting a portrait, composing music, planting olive trees in the promised land.  Maybe we start a SIRIUS radio station that can be heard every where and where we just talk and get others to call, email and chat with us!

Ok- I believe you. Singing is not the way to go. But maybe creating together a new yet to be defined collaboration, aside from the blog could be an option. With Jamal, my Palestinian Mosaic partner, I created a film that expressed new ways of looking at the conflict. The Israeli-Palestinian one.

Is there a joint media effort that could make us a bridge, so other people will be less suspicious of each other? Especially across our kind of “divide.”

I read today at www.forward.com that Jewish communities finally decided that they can talk to other Muslim groups in the USA. 7 yearsafter 9/11... the truth is that both sides were not open to each other. Is there a way that we can bring Mosques and Synagogues closer?

Well, such cooperation in the arts does have an affect, albeit minimal. Will it change foreign policy? Will it spark peace in the Middle East? No. But it does help to humanize the ways that political and military avenues do not.

Besides, my voice is really bad and my tone is even worse. If I want to really annoy my husband, I sing to him!!! So I think we would fail miserably in the singing department, actually we would probably cause more conflict than peace–at least between the two of us!

Israeli media has had for the last 3 weeks a real debate. The Left among the Jews think that the Arab participation misleads and spins Israel's real intentions. But many disagree and say that music is an artistic venture. Can you separate art from daily harsh reality? I come from documentary and news and have never been able to separate them from the issues at hand.

So even if we agree to appear with a guitar together, does this make a difference? Maybe for some audiences it would mean that if David and Souheila can work it out, so can we?

We need to do a Hebrew and Arabic version together...

I think that Iran is willing to listen if it ensures that the current regime stays in place. Obama needs to ensure that any reconciliation will not mean the end of the current regime. If Obama can turn a new page with Iran and bring Israel into the picture, then we can say he will have done the impossible. But tensions between Iran and Israel are too high let alone Iran and the U.S. Iran has been courting the U.S for years. Certainly, Ahmadinejad’s Holocaust denial has not been helpful. Neither has  recent Israel’s wars against Lebanon and the Palestinians in addition to its past wars and invasions, which many of us has forgotten. These aggressions have served to fuel the anti-Israel rhetoric coming out of Tehran. The gap between the two countries is large. By bold moves, I hope you mean by both Israel and Iran in addition to the U.S...

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?

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!