Jeff - I heartily agree with your thoughts that building bridges through the youth is a way to break the patterns of hatred.

This topic is very dear to me as I spent a summer in Bosina in the mid-nineties following the Dayton Peace Agreement and the presence of NATO. I saw first-hand the effects of the hatred between Muslims, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Serbians. I heard stories of neighbors who were once friends firing weapons at each other. People having to wear masks so they couldn’t be identified by those they were fighting. I made friends with a young muslim who was forced to kill his friends mother by his superior officer. This type of fighting, which many I talked to did not even want or desire, was often forced upon by the leaders and dictators who had their own agendas.

On the outside, this was an international conflict between Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia….but in reality, it revealed an ethnic war that had been going on for centuries (evidenced by the ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims). It took the military presence of NATO to put an end to the violence, which has allowed the beginnings of reconciliation.

I am wondering if this (military presence) is what it will take for reconciliation to begin between Israel and Palestine? At this point, is there any other way?

After having visited Israel last fall, I have seen this conflict in a new light. It is far more complex than I imagined even a year ago. The layers of history in the land are thick, rich, and have a significant impact on how life is lived today. I think that you are right to advocate for looking through the eyes of another.