The Bush Administration's 'Roadmap for Peace" has brought about a new hope for peace in the Middle East, but some experts and students at The University of Memphis are skeptical.
"I'm glad effort is being made, but I'm filled with foreboding about the whole situation," said Bill Marty, political science professor at The University of Memphis.
Trading land for peace is futile, because no amount of land is ever enough for the Palestinians, according to Marty.
"They want the whole country of Israel," he said. "And they feel that they have been treated unjustly for the past 55 years."
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas formally accepted the conditions of the peace plan but have yet to begin implementing it. Terms for Israelis include recognizing a viable Palestinian state, improving Palestinian humanitarian conditions and respecting Palestinian human rights. Palestinian leaders have agreed to recognize Israel's right to exist and put a stop to terrorism.
Shirley Rashed, an education major at the University of Memphis, thinks that peace is possible, but only under certain conditions.
"In order for the plan to work, it needs to be expedited," said the senior. "Palestinian people are tired of Israeli occupation - that's where the suicide bombings are coming from. America and Israel have to do their part to stop the oppression to expedite the peace plan."
Marty, however, said that until Palestinian terrorism stops, the Israelis should not negotiate.
"Hamas just doesn't want Israel to exist," he said, "and Israelis have a biblical understanding of their right to be there."
Shaden Mubarak, the daughter of a Palestinian refugee and sophomore business major, said that terrorist attacks will cease when Palestinians feel that they have hope and freedom.
"While Israeli children are playing in water parks and pools, the Arabs don't even have sufficient drinking water," she said. "They cannot live decently in their own land, and that causes the despair rooted in suicide bombings."
When a suicide bomb kills three or four Jews, the Israeli army bombs a Palestinian village and kills four times as many people in retaliation, according to Mubarak.
"The cycle of violence is endless," she said. "I don't foresee peace in the future, especially with the two sides so reluctant to compromise."
Ariel Sharon stated he would not commit to ensuring a future Palestinian State if it meant it would adversely affect Israel, while Hamas vowed to continue armed resistance against Israeli occupation, leaving the plan for peace shaky.
"It takes the tiniest act on either side to completely derail peace talks," said Elena Garner, graduate student and director of the Jewish Student Union. "A single violent outburst from one side gives the other side an excuse to stop peace talks and point the finger."
Still, others remain hopeful.
"I'm an optimist - anything is possible, even peace," says LeaAnne Joyner, a senior graphic design major. "Look at America - we're full of people of different races and religions, and we've managed to co-exist."
Randy Wilson, a junior business major at the University of Memphis, is less hopeful.
"There will never be peace," he said. "Ultimately that conflict will lead to the end of the world."
