I took the “Omar Tesdell challenge.” I went on a reading session to learn more about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Sources ranged from the Sharon administration’s publications to Hamas publications, with stops at American, European, Middle Eastern and Asian newspapers and government publications. My conclusion? Unchanged. It’s a bloody version of “the chicken and the egg,” and both sides are guilty. Honestly, I can’t get past the “we like to die more than you like to live” mentality or the “they started it” child-like rants.

But my ambivalence ended. I grew bored of the same blood-soaked names we’ve heard a million times.

I learned about real heroes; Naftali Kaminski (an Israeli doctor who treats Palestinian children), Sandor Straus (an Israeli-American financier who pays for Palestinian kids to get medical treatment in the United States), Amal Khatib (a brave little Palestinian girl whose life has been rejuvenated by Kaminski and Straus) and Hanan Rasheed (a Palestinian-American who helped to arrange the children’s treatment). It’s a pity we never hear about them. We only hear about Israeli tanks and Palestinian bombers.

Mr. Tesdell, I ask you to take up a challenge. Use your platform to draw attention to the fact that most people on both sides want some kind of peaceful coexistence, and some are brave enough to have already started. These people risk their reputations, careers and even their lives to do the right thing.

You want to sway opinions? Do you want to make a difference? Stop pointing fingers and start lifting people up.

Mark Renfeld

ISU Alumnus

Citrus Heights, Calif