两位教授，一位是巴勒斯坦裔美国人, 一个犹太人, both with scholarly expertise in the history and politics of Israel-Palestine—shared their growing concern and continuing hope for the future in a virtual discussion sponsored by the 麦克乔治法学院 on Oct. 17.

Omar Dajani of the 麦克乔治法学院 and Gary 吉尔伯特 of Claremont McKenna College discussed the compounding tragedies in Israel and the Gaza Strip over the last two weeks, 更广泛的冲突历史和未来. Dajani formerly served as a legal adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team in peace talks with Israel. 吉尔伯特 has done extensive archeology work in Israel for 12 years.

McGeorge Assistant Dean Clemence Kucera moderated the discussion.

Uncertainty and fear have come in the wake of a bloody Oct. 以色列袭击博彩平台网址大全排名. 多于1,300 Israeli citizens and military personnel were killed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The attacks were described as causing the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, 还有数千人受伤或被劫持为人质. An estimated 3,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have died in Israel’s military response as of Oct. 17, 据路透社报道, and hundreds and thousands have been displaced as a result of Israeli bombardment and evacuation orders.

While 吉尔伯特 and Dajani are resolute the sides must come together for lasting peace, they are concerned the violence will only escalate.

“In my view there is never justification for the killing of civilians,达贾尼说。, co-director of McGeorge’s Global Center for Business & Development and a recognized expert on legal aspects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “My grief extends to Israeli citizens and to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who lost their lives. It is truly alarming to see how quickly lives are being lost.”

吉尔伯特, associate professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College, 补充道:“我, 像许多美国犹太人一样, know people who were killed during the October 7th attacks. I am concerned the conflict will expand and Hamas rockets will find new targets … In my mind there is no justification for what happened that day.”

吉尔伯特 is conflicted by immense anger and a strong desire for peace.

“我迫切希望以色列摧毁哈马斯, but that agenda could end up causing more harm than good,吉尔伯特说。. “My confusion is confounded further by not really knowing what the other options are.”

达贾尼说，他的愤怒有多个层次.

“My anger extends to Hamas leadership for these attacks. And to Israel for the 75 years in which Palestinians have been dispossessed and disenfranchised. 我担心事态的发展。.

One of Dajani’s main fears is contagion—that the fighting will spread in the West Bank, 以色列和更广泛的地区.

“Both sides must work for peace because neither Jews nor Palestinians are going anywhere. 我们在这个地方紧密相连。. “And the sooner we internalize that fact, the better able we will be to live together. Each death that happens in the coming days will make it harder to work together going forward.”

吉尔伯特 is concerned about expansion of the conflict and questions the role of militant groups in seeking peace.

“I agree with the vision Professor Dajani articulates,” he said. “But it is a vision that is incompatible with groups such as Hamas and extremists within Israel. The extremists are always going to be the ones trying to derail progress. That is the most frustrating aspect of this conflict.”

Dajani has spoken to several panels and media outlets since the attacks. 在接受CNBC采访时, he called for the United States to play a larger role in the quest for solutions.

“It is not enough for us to offer platitudes about the challenges that are presented. It is crucial that the international community demands action to ease the circumstances on the ground in Gaza,达贾尼告诉CNBC.

博彩平台网址大全 President Christopher Callahan said it is essential for universities to discuss important and sensitive global issues such as these.

“We are grateful to have two exceptional scholars speak on these important issues,” he said. “They helped define the conflict and shared their outlooks for future progress in striving for peace.”