The tragedy of September 11 has opened our minds to the idea that other people inhabit the earth besides us, Americans. One of our country’s closest friends, namely Israel, learned that decades ago. Israel has tried to share the information with us that we are not the center of the world. America had only heard and not listened. We now know even the smallest groups of people can cause catastrophe and fatalities.

Saturday December 1, 2001, a great tragedy occurred in Jerusalem, and Sunday December 3, another tragic incident took place in Haifa. Twenty-six innocent people were killed and hundreds were injured. Minding their own business, these people were probably standing with their families, talking with their friends, perhaps using a cell phone, or eating a quick lunch. Bang, one suicide bomb in Jerusalem. Minutes later, another suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Then another bomb, this time a car bomb. Not 12 hours afterward, a suicide bomber blew up a bus in Haifa. If these events were not horrific enough, the additional bombings that occurred after the initial explosions, were meant to kill those helping the victims. Medical and rescue workers were targeted in their attempts to assist the wounded.

What happened to a cease-fire? Nothing can justify the mass, heartless, random killings of so many innocent people. If this is a war, aren’t armies supposed to fight each other? How cowardly for a terrorist group such as Hamas, to target the guiltless citizens of Israel. American citizens have also been killed and injured in terrorist attacks in Israel. It’s all closer to home than we may think.

If the UMass community watches the news their response may have been one of two things: “that’s really a shame,” or, “something must be done.” I hope that the response was not, “What does this have to do with me?” Israel is one of the great accomplishments of the 20th century. Not only is it a monumental movement, but a state of democracy in the center of countries that breed American hatred. This hatred we have seen first-hand in New York City and Washington D.C. The supporting of Israel is a crucial movement in America, one that our own President takes on with most dignity. It is time for the UMass community to turn our heads to the Middle East. Not to condemn the beautiful faith of Islam or the many Muslims and Arabs who follow it, but to the State of Israel and the constant attacks of terror it is placed under.

The aim should not be to denounce the Palestinian people, but to attack those who support random mortal acts of violence as just and valid. It is a serious issue that the world must face; the Palestinian people need a homeland. Peace will never be gained because the simple fact is Palestinians have accepted that the only way to peace is through car bombs and suicide bombers. The World Trade Center is an example of a fundamentalist people who sought destruction of a government and of the American people through acts of terror. Certain terror groups of the Palestinian people have sought destruction upon Israelis and the Israeli government. People must die and others must sacrifice. How is there ever to be peace when suicide bombings are the rationale?

On this campus, the organizations of Hillel and the Palestinian Action Coalition (PAC) have tried to voice their opinions on the conflict in the Middle East. It is time that both groups not only voice their beliefs, but also use more than just meaningless words. There is too much talking. Action must be taken to raise awareness in the minds of UMass students that their ideas of idealism are alive and well. If we cannot find common ground and some form of peace on our campus, than what hope is there for entire nations?

It must be known that Israelis and most of all, Americans, will not tolerate car bombs and suicide bombings. I would hope that now, after the United States was rocked with massive amounts of terror, we can realize what a cause this is to be aware of. No sort of terrorism should be endured anywhere, especially in a place of peaceful intentions and comparable sovereignty to the U.S. We should pick and choose our fights – not allow our fights to pick and choose us.