Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU-Jerusalem students say they feel safe there

Reader comments
BYU-Jerusalem students say they feel safe there

Jay | 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12, 2009

While I think it is great that the students are safe. They and readers need to understand that they are not having a true Middle East experience until they have felt and seen the terror and pain that comes from living within a war torn country.

Being safe is good, but obtaining a better understand of others living in the world and experiencing what they experience is better, although a much more dangerous form of education.

BobP | 2:00 p.m. Feb. 12, 2009

For a faith that started out with great dangers to members, which were willingly taken, we have become much too willing to avoid and risk.

I wonder what would happen to a student who simply did not leave the area after his cell phone ratted him out? Perhaps expulsion.

I spent the summer of 1967 in Israel, missed the 6 day war by two days. It was an incredible experience.

Young people go off to war and risk. It is what many do - so let them do it.

Guran | 5:27 a.m. Feb. 13, 2009

I just find it strange and sad that students can go to Israel, study in Jerusalem and come back with the attitudes illustrated here. Is this some sort of pro-palestinian apologia? Not to take sides in a war but, the simple facts remain, there is no palestinian people, no palestinian language, no palestinian capital city and nn Historical palestinian statesman prior to the international terrorist Arafat. Not surprisingly in the latter-days the conflict (the War started in Heaven) does center on the Holy Land and the facts on the ground include that a USA family sued for the death of their son or daughter? Responses such as cautions comply with legal/liability requirements.

Comments continue below

Re: Guran | 8:07 a.m. Feb. 13, 2009

"Not surprisingly in the latter-days the conflict (the War started in Heaven)"
Where did that come from? Are you privy to information the rest of us aren't?
Being neither Jewish nor Palestinian I'm not one to rush to one side or the other. But if I journeyed to Israel and stayed there for a year I'm betting it might change my perception about the war they are having. And no side is innocent.
Guran I find it strange that you find it sad.

Kaleo | 9:42 a.m. Feb. 13, 2009

Last semester I had the opportunity to study at the Jerusalem Center. I learned many things from my classes and professors during my experience there, but some of the most beneficial learning came as I wandered the streets of Jerusalem and made friends with the locals. I learned that the people there are no different than you and me. Both the Muslims and the Jews are people of deep faith and devotion who love their families and want nothing more than to live in freedom and peace. I spent four months studying the conflict, and I still donï¿½t know what I think should be done about it. But more importantly, I spent four months learning to love the cultures and the people in the Holy Land. Too often we forget that the following words, penned by Thomas Jefferson, are based on principles of truth that apply to all men, not just Americans, and not just the ones we agree with: ï¿½We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.ï¿½

Re Kaleo 9:23a.m. Feb 13 | 6:13 a.m. Feb. 14, 2009

"All men are created equal?"

Not in Israel!

I have been to Israel also.

It is my opinion to be a Palestinian in Israel today is similiar to being a black in the south in the 1940s or 1950s.

The concept of the choosen people or Zionism equates to racecism.

When one group of people declare themselves to be better than another the discrimnation and hatred that occurs is natural.

What do you think happens when an Israeli woman marries a Palestenian man?

metamoracoug | 6:48 a.m. Feb. 14, 2009

Well-spoken, Kaleo. Amen.

Re: Kaleo | 9:20 a.m. Feb. 14, 2009

Well said!

Re: Jay | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 14, 2009

You are correct in that we can understand people better if we go over and experience the same things they do. However, in the case of Palestinians and Isrealis being engaged in conflict with one another, part of their experience is they cannot escape it. We could go over there and live with them, but we would also know that we could leave anytime we wanted to. In that respect we could never truly experience what they do.

Re Guran | 6:58 p.m. Feb. 14, 2009

Obviously you have studied nothing of the region's history or spent any time in the Holy Land to have such ignorant, misinformed opinions.

No Palestinian people? Seriously, pick up a book.

Anonymous | 7:15 p.m. Feb. 14, 2009

Prior to 1917 the Holy Land was part of the Ottoman Enpire. There were not Palestinians at that point,

Along came Haj Amin Al Husseini who was the first "Palestinian" leader. He fought the British who were holding it as Trans Jordan and was expelled in 1938. He promptly went to Germany and became an adviser on the Holocaust for Hitler, Himmler and Eichman.

He returned after WWII and was and early leader of the anti Israel war in 1958/49. He was Arafat's uncle.

I mentioned being there in 1967. I worked with, not in, the Israeli army.

Linda | 8:34 p.m. Feb. 14, 2009

When we lived in Israel for my husband's company we
lived on the economy. We would go back in a minute.
Our daughter tried to get adopted so she could stay.
The center is very safe and the staff is excellent.
We would go from Herzilia Petuach, to Jerusalem every
Saturday for church at the center. This conflict will continue long after I have passed and I did live there and your attitude does change somewhat. I
love that country and it has problems but it is not my home country and they have to tend with their own.
Linda

Julie | 2:32 p.m. Feb. 15, 2009

Sounds to me like more of us need to take a trip to the Middle East and Jerusalem so our opinions can be better informed...

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