Connections

=Connections - Dani, Katie, Audrey, and Laura =



==Dani: Through this exploration of peace in Israel, I learned enough about the conflict to have an opinion of the predicament. Before, the conflict was so foreign that I avoided such conversations, but now I feel comfortable discussing it. There were a few topics presented that I rejected. One being the idea of Palestinian Centrality. To say that a plethora of conflicts is rooted in a single origin is ludicrous. Another debatable topic was the suggestion that Israel will be overtaken in the same manner that Czechoslovakia was in 1938. I do not agree with this theory because it denies all past support from the United States. Again this is gross assumption! When considering, an answer to this issue, I support the idea of one-state. Conflict resolution 101 tells us that you need to be present to solve the conflict. We cannot encourage separation or avoidance because it will not solve the issue! ==

==My understanding of culture has deepened in many ways. Primarily, it has clarified the intricacies involved in political, and militaristic power. Each side believes in what they are fighting for, and will not compromise. It has also been extremely beneficial to explore the mentality of the Jews. Where are they? What are they feeling and how do these motivate their actions? Such questions have been answered and awareness is key in resolution. This type of topic has challenged me in many ways. It has provoked much "wrestling with God" on the matter because I want my heart for the matter to mirror His. == ==Throughout all of this section, I know that one thing is true and unwavering: God will take care of his children. Leviticus 26:6 says, “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. ==

==Katie: **Before we got on the topic of "can peace come to the holy land" I had never thought about it. I honestly did not care because it did not and does not directly affect me. However, since this unit I have thought about my view and my thoughts involving peace and the holy land. I honestly do not think that complete peace can come to the holy land. I believe this because there is an enormous amount of hatred and disagreements that have occurred and will continue to occur in Israel and the West Bank. I think that the Palestinians and the Jews have too many differences between them (like religions, culture, and the way of living). Also the level of hostility between the Palestinians and the Jews is a major road block in the way to peace. So right now I do not think that peace can come to the holy land. I do believe that we have a responsibility in all of this. I do not believe we, America, have a right to take part in this disagreement in Israel but I do think we have a responsibility as the body of Christ. That responsibility is to be in prayer for this controversy and all of the people involved. American Christians should have the same kind of love for the nation of Israel that we do for anywhere else. Judging them based on their crimes, their government, or their past with war seems shallow and not fair. So I think we need to rise to this challenge and accept this responsibility as the body of Christ.** ==

**Psalm 17:6 **

 * "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer." **

Audrey:
==Before we started the section 'Can Peace come to the Holy Land?" this topic was not something that I had given much thought to. I was and am one to looking to what it happening around the world, however this issue is something that I do not remember ever stumbling across before this class. Now it has become something that I am very interested in, especially within the humanitarianism aspect of the conflict. One of the saddest things that I have read regarding Palestinian refugees is “In the camps people still have keys to the homes they left behind” [|US Migration Offer Enrages Palestinians]. The Palestinian people only want to go home and it is hard to blame them. I do believe that peace is possible in the Holy Land and that these people will finally be able to put those keys into the lock and open the doors to the homes they have been longing to return to. However, before this peace is possible, both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders will have to work more deliberately and passionately than they have ever worked before. The work will be extremely difficult, there will be more loss, hurt, pain, anger and compromises before both leaders and people are finally happy with the outcome. it will take years but it will be worth it. I think that 1 Chronicles 29:15 is an accurate way to describe the feelings of the Palestinian people, essentially they are foreigners and strangers in an unknown land without hope. **[|1 Chronicles 29:15]** "We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without **hope**."==

I still hold firm to the thought that both parties need to shut up and actively listen to the thoughts and concerns of the other in order to truly understand where they are coming from.
==Laura:  ﻿ Prior to this section I didn't have a lot knowledge on the conflict in Israel. I was blissfully unaware of the hardship and pain that was happening in the Holy Land. I have never been the type of person that paid much attention to issues happening in other countries. I am starting to see the importance of knowing and understanding the issues that arise around the world. The main thing I have been thinking about is whether I think a one-state or two-state solution would be better. My initial thought is "How would I know!" I still feel that way, but I have at least given it some thought. I compared the situation to what America faced when black peoplewere introduced to the white population. The black community wanted to stay in America, while the white community did not want them here. A lot of violence and hatred occurred before there was some kind of peace. Things still aren't perfect, but we can live together in a mostly peaceful nation. My point is that even though at first things were REALLY bad it eventually got better. Now I realize the situations are a bit different, and even the violence that occurred is different. But I believe is Israel and the Palestinians came together under one nation eventually there would be peace, or at least improvement. Sadly I see so much damage already done that peace may not be achieved until Jesus comes again. "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows" [|Isaiah 59:8-9]. ==

Table of Contents: Can Peace Come to the Holy Land? Introduction -Can Peace Come to the Holy Land? Summary <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Conclusion - Dani, Katie, Audrey, Laura