The Situation in Gaza

From a Jerusalem perspective:

Israel has been a host to war since the beginning of time. The fighting going on may be headline news in the states, but for the people here, it is simply everyday life. Missles and tear gas are commonplace. What a terrible reality. Yesterday during class I watched through the window an incredible scene: Jews praying at the Western Wall, while literally across the road, hundreds gathered in protest to the missels being launched from Gaza. Choppers circled in the air and blimps took footage from above as the beautiful minurets sounded from the East.

With the recent conflict in Gaza, things have gotten a little tenser in the Holy Land. The past 2 days the city has been home to rioting, demonstrations and threats from Israeli and Palestinian extremists. We are all very safe here in the center. Our program director and faculty have taken great care to keep us out of especially dangerous areas and explain the history and motivations leading up to this outbreak. From my take on the situation (as influenced by Jewish, Muslim and Mormon educatiors, rather than CNN...) niether side is at fault and no one is to blame. People are doing what they deem best for their people, their land, thier religion, and their culture.

Several cease-fires have been proposed within the last few days, but the end is not yet in sight. It is amazing to me how a land so rich in religion and history continues to endure such brutal warfare and contention. My heart goes out to the poeple of this land. Very few of them are violent, like the fanatics causing problem on the Gaza strip. Most of them are good people, wonderful people, simply trying to get by. They recognize that demonstrations and bombs are not logical, effective, or morally right responses to what they deem unfair behavior from the opponent. They need peace. They need safety.

Does anybody have questions about what is really going on? We hear about it pretty much all the time... :)