Since the early 20th century, peace between Palestine and Israel has consistently failed to burgeon in the shadows of untamed violence and political deviance. Despite this decades-long conflict, President Barack Obama said peace can be accomplished within 12 months — one of his boldest statements made since moving into the White House.
Thursday night, Obama, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will sit down to dinner with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority and several other Middle East leaders and politicians.
The significance of these talks goes beyond these individuals and beyond even Israel, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Many Muslims and Jews across the world see the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a forefront of their faiths' relationship, a relationship that in some areas carries hostility.
Here in Muncie, this is not the case.
Aaron Margolis-Greenbaum, a Jewish sophomore television production major, said while he is just a person, not a rabbi, he thinks Obama will be more successful than past leaders.
These views, while shared by many, are not shared by all.
Moderate and extremist views compose the opinions of politicians and citizens in the Middle East. Hamas, the governing party of the Gaza Strip, is opposed to the meetings. The United States classifies Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The Obama administration will have to face opposition in its efforts to settle issues that include settlement, Palestinian refugees and Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. As always, Jerusalem, a sacred location for both sides, will also be discussed.
Even if Obama can manage to reach his hand out into the darkness, it will take the good faith of the Middle East's Jews and Muslims to come to a compromise.
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