The Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East was on the agenda Thursday at a forum that informed U of M faculty and students of some of the reasons behind the current conflict.
The title of the lecture was "Israeli-Palestinian Relations: Where to Now?"
The lecture took place in front of a mixed audience in the Psychology Auditorium.
Anti-Defamation League member Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein and interim director of International Programs and Services Cal Allen were speakers at the forum.
"Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ended the peace summit," Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said. "After the peace summit failed, the conflict escalated on Sept. 13, when the Palestinian statehood was not established."
Allen said Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak has said he has no plans for a Palestinian state.
Allen, an associate professor of history, specializes in 19th and 20th century Middle Eastern history and the Islamic world. Allen said the lecture was a great opportunity to look at what is happening in the region at this point and what caused the current state of conflict.
Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, a consultant on Middle Eastern affairs, is director of special projects dealing with the Middle East for the Anti-Defamation League. She also writes the group's newsletter on terrorism.
Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said the Middle East peace process ended because the Camp David summit failed.
"The Palestinian people wanted a unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon," Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said. "Arafat did not accept the Israeli proposals of peace because he could not go back to his people without having 100 percent withdrawal of Israelis.
"Most of the land on the West Bank and Gaza are under joint rule by both parties. Only a few regions are controlled by Israelis," she said.
Allen said there are Israelis who want Palestinians to have their own state and there are some who do not.
"The conflict is dangerous to both parties," Allen said. "The two think violence is a means of accomplishing peace and change."
Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said the outcome of the failed peace process includes not only the loss of lives, but riots and radicalism in the region.
"Radicalism or bloody violence is happening on both sides of the conflict," Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said. "There is Jewish rioting and a lack of morals in the entire Middle East region.
"There are world-wide consequences to the Middle East conflict," Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said. "Anti-Semitism has affected Britain and other areas of the world."
Allen said one can find both Israelis and Palestinians who want peace.
"One can also find individuals who want the destruction of Israel," Allen said. "There is no monolith view of Israel or Palestine."
Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein agreed with Allen that both the Israelis and Palestinians want peace, but the process of obtaining it has been halted.
"Both parties want peace," Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein said. "But until Arafat becomes more realistic in his peace plans, the conflict will continue."
