World Report: October 6, 1995 Vol.1 No.4
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Peace For Two Old Enemies
The Palestinians and the Israelis of the Middle East are expert enemies. For years, neither group would even admit that the other one existed as a nation. Both claim the same territory as their ancient homeland. Since 1948, Israelis and Palestinians and other Arab neighbors have fought deadly battles over that land.
But last Thursday at the White House, Palestinian and Israeli leaders signed an agreement their ancestors could never have imagined. It spells out exactly how the two groups will share an area called the West Bank. The West Bank is heavily populated with Palestinians, but Israel won control of it in a 1967 war. Each side gave up land or power in the hope of gaining things its people have never known: a Palestinian state and lasting peace.
"A new chapter begins," said U.S. President Bill Clinton at the treaty signing. "There will be safety in Israel's house. The Palestinian people will write their own destiny."
The Roots Of War
In ancient times the ancestors of Jews and Arabs lived where Israel is now. Conquering armies drove many Jews away. Jewish people settled all over the world after that, although some remained in the Middle East.
In the late 1800s Jews began a movement to reclaim Israel as their homeland. This movement grew strong after World War II, in which 6 million Jews died and millions more lost their homes.
In 1948, the new Jewish state of Israel declared its independence. It was recognized by the United States and most other nations. But Israel's land was smack in the middle of Arab territory. The new Israelis were attacked immediately by all their Arab neighbors, and the fighting has continued on and off ever since.
Designing A Peace Plan
Two years ago, Israel recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (P.L.O.) led by Yasser Arafat as the leader of the Palestinian people. The P.L.O. agreed to stop its terrorist attacks on Israel. Israel and the P.L.O. promised to make peace.
Since then, the two sides have tried to work out the details. For last week's agreement, the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, who had grown up hating each other, were stuck in a hotel together for two months working out a deal. The meetings were very tense, but the negotiators didn't give up.
"I think I learned what Israel was all about," Abu Alaa, head of the Palestinian negotiators, told the New York Times. "Each day I learned more and more about them, and each day they learned more and more about me." Abu Alaa and the head of the opposing Israeli side, Uri Savir, came to respect each other so much they even went on vacation together. They called each other when they couldn't sleep. The enemies became good friends through their common struggle for peace.
The agreement finally signed last week said Israeli soldiers would leave seven major cities and hundreds of small towns in the West Bank, allowing Palestinians to rule themselves in those places. Although Israelis and Palestinians will share police duties in some areas, about 28% of West Bank territory will be controlled by Palestinians. Also, Palestinians will be allowed to hold elections, and many Palestinians held in Israeli jails will be set free.
More Struggles Ahead
Some Palestinians and Israelis protested last week's agreement. Protesters believe that the negotiators gave up territory or power too easily. Middle East leaders say much tougher decisions lie ahead. Both sides predict that deciding how to share the city of Jerusalem, a holy place to Jews, Muslims and Christians, will be a messy struggle.
But the possibility for peaceful solutions has never been stronger. Children who grew up throwing rocks at each other are now adults hoping for a better life for their own children. Some Palestinians and Israelis are beginning to think that their enemies are more like themselves than they ever imagined.
Learning To Trust
During the day, they sailed and swam. At night, they stayed up late to talk. But for campers in the Seeds of Peace program, summer wasn't all fun and games. These Palestinian and Israeli kids went to camp in the U.S. to make friends of their enemies.
Palestinian Absal Nuseibeh, 16, keeps in touch with his Israeli friends from the Maine woods. "There were problems at first," he said. "But the problems turned into a friendship."
Founded in 1993 by journalist John Wallach, Seeds of Peace teaches the art of trust. At the end of each day, campers discussed the problems back home. "The meetings brought up anger," said Israeli Daana Dishon, 14. "But it was good to confront issues."
Campers had a great time during the "Color Games." Kids were assigned to red or gray teams that competed in contests. For the first time, Palestinians and Israelis were on the same side. "We found solidarity and ignored nationality," said Nuseibeh.
Now at home, the kids say they are hopeful about the new agreement between Palestinian and Israeli leaders. They say the pact can be as strong as the friendships they have made through Seeds of Peace. "It's finally progress," said Dishon. "Life is too short to make enemies."
