by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
Abir Kopty said that before Israel became a state in 1948, there was peace in the region.
"I used to hear stories from my grandfathers and grandmothers that people used to live peacefully," she said.
Kopty is a Christian Palestinian from Israel. She and two other women from Israel spoke to students in the Hibben Center on Tuesday about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Kopty drew a map on the chalkboard to show students the divide between Israelis and Palestinians in Israel.
"I oppose any type of killing, whether it is Israeli or Palestinian, because I want my community to be clear of any immoral actions," she said.
Wejdan Jaber, a Muslim Palestinian from Gaza, said students should educate themselves about the conflict.
"I'm appealing to you today to take action, to take a stand and work for peace," Jabar said.
Hagit Ra'anan, a Jewish Israeli, said awareness of the conflict is the first step toward peace.
"It's important because we need to know what is taking place in the world further than the length of our arm," she said. "From this, we can gain hope and know that (peace) is possible."
Jaber, Kopty and Ra'anan were invited by Carole Nagengast, an anthropology professor, to speak to her class.
"I believe this is an absolutely critical part of their education," Nagengast said.
She said the women offer a better perspective of the conflict than any class material.
"Believe me," Jaber said. "A life under occupation is a difficult one as you can imagine."
Jaber was born in Gaza
in 1968.
"I wish that no one in humanity would have to live under a military occupation," she said. "Living under occupation is also humiliating and breaking of the basic human rights."
Jaber said 75 percent of the people in Gaza live below the poverty level.
"They are just like you - they want to live in peace," she said. "But they are living in a big
prison."
Ra'anan said ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is possible.
"Peace is something that dwells within me," she said. "Peace starts in me and each and every one of us, and we need to remember that it is possible."
Ra'anan started advocating peace in the region after her husband was killed by a Palestinian in Beirut, she said.
"Then I wondered, 'What is the purpose? Why am I still here?'" she said. "Surprisingly enough, it is for a purpose, and it better be a good purpose."
Ra'anan said that after her
husband was killed, she worked with Israeli and Palestinian families who had lost relatives to the ongoing conflict.
"We were working together as equals just to show others it is possible," she said. "We still have hope, and this is what drives us forward."
