Interview #2

1. How are you personally involved and affected by the Palestinian/Israeli conflict?
-Um, people might think its weird that Im involved with this subject at all because Im not
Palestinian or Jewish, but Im really into history active in todays current events. Ive been doing
research and Ive decided at this time that Palestine is not as bad as the American media makes
it seem.
2. What do you believe the Israeli government is doing wrong?
-From what Ive read at least, Israels government is just very hypocritical. They proclaim to
desire things like peace, yet continuously act violently toward people on the strip of Gaza. Sometimes
theres a debate whether or not the violence is provoked, but nine times out of ten it doesnt seem to
be.
3. How do you think the two nations can make peace? How long do you think it will take?
-I think that the Israeli and Palestinian governments need to compromise with each other. Its
just quite hard because no one wants to sacrifice anything. I mean would you? I think, as much as I hate
to admit it, that something very violent will happen before both nations will realize the fighting isnt
worth it.
4. Would you say America favors Israel through its alliance and/or media portrayal?
-Definitely in some ways but not in others. Certain news organizations have an obvious favor for
Israel just because their alliance with America. However, after doing more extensive research there is
definitely information out there that shows the gritty truth about Israel. Media can be biased toward
either side, which makes seeking the truth more difficult.
5. Why do you feel passionate about this issue? How do you believe young adults in America can be
activists?
-I feel very blessed as an American to have all the freedoms that I do. One of which being that
Im allowed to have an opinion and I always want to support my opinion; I just want people to believe
the right thing.

Interview #1

1. How are you personally involved/affected by the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?

-I would say Im involved in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict because I studied abroad in Israel and
its my favorite country and Im Jewish and I have a very big connection to the area.

2.

What do you believe started the whole thing?

-Well it depends on what youre asking in that situation because this time around the issue
began because of the kidnapping of three Israeli teenaged boys from Diamos and the murder of them.
But in reality, the conflict has been going on for thousands of years, hundreds of years, since Israel
began to exist.
3. How do you think the American government handles this issue? Is there something they could do
more effectively?
-I think that America should be backing Israel more than they are but I dont think that America
is necessarily handling it poorly. Theyre just not really handling it at all most of the time. I, you know, of
course want them to support Israel more so than they do
4. Would you say the media is biased one way or another?
-Um I would say the media, well it depends on what youre looking at, because to me, since Im
Jewish, if Im online or something Ill see a bunch of articles posted by Jewish people that are, you know,
biased towards Israel. But like some of the news stations like CNN are biased toward Palestinians and
you know, portraying Israel in a bad light.
5. What makes you so passionate about this? How do you believe other young adults can make
change?
-Yeah, Im very passionate about this subject.
6. Are a lot of Jewish Americans very active in this? How can you participate from America?
-I would say a majority of Jewish Americans are very active about it but people who have never
been to Israel are not and theres a group of Jewish Americans who are actually anti-Israel so its a very
bizarre situation. Well its just a bizarre situation and you really never know what youre gonna get but
most Jews are pro-Israel I would say, in America.
7. How do you think this conflict will end? Do you think thered be a more efficient way?

-I dont know, I honestly have no idea of the conflict will ever end because its been going on so
long and Im glad right now its kind of a time of peace but I think that really the only way the conflict
will ever end is if a new government is in place in Gaza which is somewhat unlikely and everyone wants
peace but, I mean, Israel wants to exist and Gaza doesnt, the Palestinians dont want Israel to exist so
thats obviously going to be a dilemma.
8. How do you have other personal connections to Israel?
-Um, I have family in the country and my best friend currently just made aliat to join the Israeli
defense force and most of my religious friends are there right now in Seminary in Ishiba studying for a
year so really I feel like Im one of the only people not in Israel this year.
9. Is your best friend fresh out of high school?
-Yes, theyre all fresh out of high school so when things happen now its very um its very scary
because its so close to home, everyones there, if something happens its a risk for people that I went to
school with last year, like my close friends.
10. Do you think if you were to be over there that youd have any reason to be scared? Do you feel
threatened at this time?
-Um no, life in Israel goes on as usual when things like this happen. Like its horrible but like its
normal. Like its not something they cant stop their lives because theyre always being shot by
missiles, its not new.