Students Hope for Lasting Peace

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, has taken on a different meaning for both Jewish and Islamic students this year with the signing of a peace accord Sunday between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) which places almost all of the West Bank under Palestinian control.

While students of both religions expressed hope that this accord will lead to lasting peace in the territory, which has been under Israeli occupation for almost three decades, both groups remained skeptical about the agreement.

Ariela M. Migdal '96 paused between Rosh Hashanah services and the ceremonial meal that followed at the Hillel last night to express her concern that the real process of establishing peace is yet to come.

"It's an important landmark decision but the real test of its value will be in the coming months as Arabs and Israelis try to implement the decision and create a real sense of security and stability for both populations," Migdal said.

The accord casts a different light on the holiday said Zacharay I., Shrier '99, a Jewish student who spent last year studying in Israel.

"For me, the accord provided more reason to be introspective today," Shrier said. "It's a time to reflect more on what we're here for and increase our prayers toward Israel."

Islamic student Umair A. Qadeer '98 said the accord may be problematic because many Palestinians are skeptical of the PLO's ability to lead.

Because PLO leader Yasir Arafat does not represent all Palestinians, the accord will be limited, he said.

"Anything done by a particular organization will not have that much of a benefit," Qadeer said. "There's always going to be resistance in any agreement because it's never going to please everybody."

Shrirer said that during his stay in Israel, he observed differences of opinion among Israelis as to who should control the West Bank.

"I'm very nervous about it," he said. "Wherever the government doesn't feel a general consensus on the part of the citizens, it's time to be conservative in your foreign policy. Enough of Israel is divided on the issue that it doesn't make sense to be taking such radical steps."

Yousef S. Alherinai, a Harvard Divinity School student from Bethlehem, said that as a Palestinian, he was at first happy to hear the news but then became skeptical about the details.

The two biggest sticking points Alhermai sees in the agreement regard the status of Jerusalem and Hebram, the West Bank city home to about 450 Jewish settlers.

Under the agreement, one third of Hebram would remain under Israeli control, one third would come under Palestinian jurisdiction, and the remainder would be jointly policed.

"As a Muslim and a Palestinian, I would say peace is something all Muslims look for, but stable peace has to be built on equity and not concessions," Alherinai said.

On the other hand, the accord could mean real gains in daily life for many Palestinians in areas like education, health, social affairs and insurance, he said.

"This is not what I would call a radical change but a practical matter for the people to have these things," Alherinai said.

But many students said that in solving other problems, the accord may fall short.

According to Shrier, the biggest problem that has faced Israel in the last year has been an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalist terrorism.

"In the past year Israel has been shaken by terrorism and the new situation doesn't do anything to mitigate it," Shrier said. "Hamas and other groups are not satisfied by this in the slightest."

Other major concerns under the new agreement are the welfare of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and the safety of travel throughout that region, Shrier said.

Alherinai said division among Palestinians and the mixed record of the PLO may cause problems once the Israeli army leaves the West Bank.

During his stay in Jericho and the Gaza Strip, Alherinai said he saw human rights violations committed by Palestinian authorities against other Palestinians.

"This doesn't mean we prefer Israeli control over Palestinian authority. I still think the Palestinian authority is more cooperative with the people than Israeli authorities," he said.

While the specifics of the deal may be in doubt, Jewish student Stephanie P. Weber '97, a Crimson editor, said the longstanding problems in the region leave little choice but to start making concessions.

"There is a situation where there are hundreds of thousands of Arabs who are living in the occupied territories and lacked any kind of representation. There was no other choice but to give them the right to rule over themselves," Weber said.

"Yes, this is a security risk for Israel, but what can you do?" she added.

One Jewish student summed up the views of many.

"I only hope," he said, "that a fair and lasting peace comes to the region as soon as possible.

"As a Muslim and a Palestinian, I would say peace is something all Muslims look for, but stable peace has to be built on equity and not concessions," Alherinai said.

On the other hand, the accord could mean real gains in daily life for many Palestinians in areas like education, health, social affairs and insurance, he said.

"This is not what I would call a radical change but a practical matter for the people to have these things," Alherinai said.

But many students said that in solving other problems, the accord may fall short.

According to Shrier, the biggest problem that has faced Israel in the last year has been an upsurge in Islamic fundamentalist terrorism.

"In the past year Israel has been shaken by terrorism and the new situation doesn't do anything to mitigate it," Shrier said. "Hamas and other groups are not satisfied by this in the slightest."

Other major concerns under the new agreement are the welfare of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and the safety of travel throughout that region, Shrier said.

Alherinai said division among Palestinians and the mixed record of the PLO may cause problems once the Israeli army leaves the West Bank.

During his stay in Jericho and the Gaza Strip, Alherinai said he saw human rights violations committed by Palestinian authorities against other Palestinians.

"This doesn't mean we prefer Israeli control over Palestinian authority. I still think the Palestinian authority is more cooperative with the people than Israeli authorities," he said.

While the specifics of the deal may be in doubt, Jewish student Stephanie P. Weber '97, a Crimson editor, said the longstanding problems in the region leave little choice but to start making concessions.

"There is a situation where there are hundreds of thousands of Arabs who are living in the occupied territories and lacked any kind of representation. There was no other choice but to give them the right to rule over themselves," Weber said.

"Yes, this is a security risk for Israel, but what can you do?" she added.

One Jewish student summed up the views of many.

"I only hope," he said, "that a fair and lasting peace comes to the region as soon as possible.