As tension continues to grow between the United States and Iraq, the diplomatic talks towards peace between Israel and Palestine administrated by the U.S. have almost come to a complete standstill.
Ronald Young, executive director of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East (USICPME), recently visited Fairfield University to share his views on the passive role taken by the United States in the last couple of years towards peace between Israel and Palestine.
Young, who lived in Amman, Jordan for a number of years, knows firsthand the suffering and death that plagues the Palestinian and Israeli people daily.
“More than 2,500 Palestinians and Israelis, including hundreds of children, have been killed in the last two years,” explained Young. “Relative to population, this would be equivalent to 60,000 Americans killed-more than in the Vietnam War.”
Young believed that if the United States had worked toward peace more aggressively in past years, then it may be within reach today.
In 2000, President Clinton held a summit at Camp David to discuss plans to move towards a cease fire agreement between Israel and Palestine.
Although the summit was not successful, many believed that both sides had taken steps in the right direction.
Clinton announced that the summit was a failure and negatively portrayed the peace process in general.
Young predicted that if Clinton shared a more positive view with the world, like Israeli Officials had advised him, then later talks may have been scheduled.
He does not believe, however, that Clinton did nothing to help the situation.
The USICPME states that, “from 1997 to September 2000, as a result of U.S. supported Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, the number of persons killed was dramatically reduced.”
On the other hand, George W. Bush has remained opposed to an aggressive program towards peace in the Holy Land.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has been a more aggressive advocate of peace, using many opportunities to tactfully put the spotlight on the conflict. But even this has not been enough to stop the violence.
Today there is still a great amount of violence between Israel and Palestine and no peace seems to be in sight.
However, according to the USICPME, “By giving priority to pursuing peace…the Bush Administration could count on support from the majorities of Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians [and achieve peace].”
Until then, Young and many like him will continue to share their message with people all over the world in hope of bringing peace quickly to the people of both Iraq and Palestine.
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