It?s not coincidence: The headline story of virtually every major newspaper, news show and online media source in the United States, and in many other countries, for that matter, seems to center on the current situation in the Middle East. However, I find myself wondering what really is happening on the other side of the globe. I hear about the situation from a safe distance, but what is it like to live in Israel or Palestine? How would my views change if that were my homeland?

I grew up hearing about conflicts in the Middle East, but I never realized there were opinions other than the ones I knew. Though I tend to see both sides in most issues, this was one situation I had simply taken for granted, thinking I understood the circumstances. I?ve never felt that I must hide my heritage and my mixed roots, but I began to wonder if that had made me less objective. In examining this idea and throwing out most of my preconceived notions, I concluded that I believe the Jews have been fighting to have a homeland for countless years, and that they deserve one. But I believe the Palestinians deserve a home, too.

In further examining my views on the Middle East situation, I concluded that Americans, myself included, simply do not know what’s really going on. Yes, Israelis die at the hands of Palestinians every day, but the reverse is also true. Israel actually has a strong military and a good supply of weapons, and that military certainly uses them, too. I’ve found that if I completely ignore the headlines when I read news stories about the events in the Middle East, I get a much better idea of the whole story. A headline might say that five Israelis were killed by a suicide bomber, but upon reading the whole story, it will be revealed that Israel most likely retaliated by killing and wounding at least as many Palestinians, often more.

I don’t have the answers though I do have a lot of questions, but one thing is clear: Innocent people are involved in all sides of the issue. I’ve recently talked to people who have strong views because they have friends living in the Middle East. Last month, I spoke with a Sacramento State student who is now working in Pakistani refugee camps for two months. I admire her, and I realized that my respect would not change if she were working in any other refugee camp in the world, or if she sided with Israel or Palestine in this current situation. The simple fact remains that this student wanted to help others. She is currently in an environment where she does not have to read American newspapers or watch American television in order to hear the latest news from the Middle East; she is surrounded by it and is a part of it.

I read the newspapers and I hear the numbers of dead and wounded, but I don?t see the other things. I don?t see the Israeli woman mourning the loss of her only son; I don?t see the Palestinian man sobbing over the death of his wife. Will the situation in the Middle East ever be resolved? I don’t know. But I do know that we need to look at both sides. Many people are quick to pick a side, but sometimes it’s not that easy. There are so many cases where it’s nearly impossible to choose between black and white, because there are also so many different shades of gray. Nobody should be pressured into reaching a solid, unchanging conclusion; some things just do not work that way. However, I don?t think those who do have very strong opinions on the matter are wrong. I have one request: Look at the other side. Read past the headlines, consult different news sources and talk to new people. I did that, and I found a side I never knew.

Disagree? Contact Layla Bohm at [email protected].