An announcement was made in Israel Wednesday that a cease fire with Hamas will go into effect Thursday. This is a major step in the right direction for both Israel and the Gaza Strip. Over the year hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and seven Israelis have lost their lives. The blockade of Gaza may cease and the two territories will try to work towards some type of agreement over land.

It seems that everyone is tired of the killing and hatred that has ruled Israel and Palestine for decades. Egypt was the country that brokered that talks between the two sides and helped them come to an agreement of a cease fire for six months. Egypt also did their part in the making peace a possibility by agreeing to stop smuggling arms into Gaza. The end of the weapons smuggling will lead to the opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

It is so good to see this type of agreement come out of the region that has known so much violence and death. Imagine what it would be like to have Israelis and Palestinians living in the same areas, peacefully? Imagine if the two sides can come together and divide the land like the brothers that they are and stop killing one another? What a beautiful thought.

Even though six months is not a long period of time it is a great beginning for Hamas and the Israeli government. If these two sides can come together and have peaceful talks maybe other countries that are at odds with one another can do the same. The day that Israel and Palestine can live side by side is the day that the rest of the world needs to learn a lesson. This could be a monumental agreement if it spawns peace and compromise between these two rivals.

The only bad thing about this truce is that deaths will continue to occur right up to the last minute. It’s like they have to get all the last of the killing out of them before they are to take a six month break. Hamas, which is recognized by many countries, including Egypt and Israel, to be a terrorist group, seems to be trying to show that they are interested in the betterment of people and finding a safe middle ground where everyone can exist.

Hopefully the six month truce will go well and talks will be successful. It would be so wonderful to know that Israel and Palestine were at peace and content. I know that neither side is going to be able to get exactly what they want but I know there is a compromise that will meet both of their needs. Egypt should also be commended for taking the initiative to make this truce come about. The mention of a truce between the two has been in the news for years now. However, nothing every really came of it. I think that having a non Western country intervene was very important. Egypt is clearly not on Israel or Hamas’ side. They are a good moderator for these talks.

In 1967 Israel took control of East Jerusalem, seizing the land from Jordan. After taking the land Israel began to consider it part of their capital. Currently there are plans to build more houses in East Jerusalem, an area that Palestine is hoping will be their capital. This is a slap in the face to the peace talks that have been going on in the region.

I think that everyone involved in the Israel Palestine situation is going to have to give a little. That means that building hundreds of homes in East Jerusalem, an area that was seized from Jordan a couple of decades ago is not a good idea. Right now peace talks could go either way. Gaza is being run by Hamas, a group that is considered a terrorist group by both Israel and the U.S.. However, Gaza is safer now that Hamas is in charge. The Fatah movement is currently holding power in the West Bank. This division of Palestinian territories needs to be resolved as does the conflict over land with Israel.

I am on neither side in this conflict. I don’t have a stake in the situation and I honestly do not understand why this conflict continues to brew. The fact that residents can not live in the same neighborhoods because they are different religions is disturbing to me. Is is really so bad to have a neighbor that is a different faith than you are? How does that hurt your cause? I can’t see how it can. The lands that are being fought over hold so of the most important religious structures in the three largest monotheistic religions. These three religions should be able to exist side by side and feed off of one another’s positive vibes. I have found teachings in all religions that have been helpful in my life and I don’t think that recognizing them as such has done any damage to my faith or beliefs. In fact, by learning and respecting other religions, I think that people can become more enriched and enlightened.

The peace process in the Middle East has been a long process that must come to an end at some point. Everyone involved must be willing to bend and lose a little in order to gain a lot. What good will it do to build a hundred houses in East Jerusalem if they are constantly under siege? Bombed neighborhoods with children dying on a regular basis is not a good thing. Why not work out a peace plan so that all parties are satisfied and the killing can stop for good. I believe that there must be a way to find peace in a region packed full of holy structures and religious people.

Hopefully there will be enough pressure from it’s allies to deter Israel from building in East Jerusalem. The past couple of months have been the first time in years that it seems like there is a real chance at peace. Why blow it with these new housing plan?

The other day John McCain made the statement that Hamas prefers Barack Obama for president and this is something that the American people should think about. Well, it is something that the American people should think about but I encourage them to think outside of the box on this one. The United States government has proclaimed Hamas to be a terrorist group but terrorist is a very subjective word. One man’s terrorist is another man’s hero.

First of all, just because the government says that a group is a terrorist organization does not mean that it is. Hamas may very well be a gathering of terrorists but they could also be seen as a group fighting for what they believe is right. We should all be familiar with that concept since there is a war currently raging based on what one man thought was right. Anyhow, the statement that John McCain made about Obama can be taken in two ways. Either Obama is more acceptable to groups that are less favorably viewed by the American government, or he is such a departure from the typical white, male, rich politician that Hamas would be willing to possibly talk to him. If the latter is the truth, which is the way that I take the statement, then great. Maybe we can have some peace in the world. Maybe some understanding can be reached that were previously impossible. Hamas is likely not going anywhere anytime soon so it is in the best interest of the world that we at least try to get along with them.

This may seem like a radical notion but really, would it be better to continue killing one another? It may seem like a meeting with those in charge of Hamas is a terrible idea but it might help solve some issues. You don’t have to be someone’s best friend to find a way to live peacefully.

Barack Obama is an interesting candidate that may appeal much more than any other president we have had to certain international communities. He has an international background and is not a white American. This probably makes him more approachable than some past presidents. That may sound stupid but lets be honest, there is a certain initial comfort that comes from seeing someone that is more like you than not. I am comfortable with everyone but I have noticed that there seems to be a higher comfort level between myself and other minorities. In the two classes I took last semester there were a minimal amount of women and very few people of color. In one class an Indian woman sat next to me and we connected well. In the other class a Native American woman sat beside me and we became fast friends. I always sit in the first seat, first row of the classroom so there was no one on the other side of me, but honestly, in both cases, there was a split between minorities and whites. Possibly because there were so few of us. If Obama is elected president I could see some relationships with other countries and even some groups, that are not countries but have wants and needs, improving.