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conversations, in mutual support and shared action toward a goal of living together peacefully that most likely will resolve these conflicts. Tolerance, yes. Understanding, certainly. Acceptance, beyond doubt. Respect, much needed. I've already mentioned two activist organizations in Israel, Gush Shalom (http://zope.gush-shalom.org/i ndex_en.html) and The Other Israel (http://otherisrael.home.igc.o rg/index.html). On the intellectual front there is a journal that stimulates dialogue, Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics, and Culture (http://www.pij.org). There are peace villages and schools where people from all sides live and study together in the shared goal of finding common ground, literally. And there is a small group of people who meet regularly just above a check point to talk, share coffee and tea, play music, and learn peaceful coexistence. They plant olive trees, share food, and look each other in the eyes at All Nations Caf (http://www.allnationscafe.org /).

I think that the activist will help keep political pressure on all sides. I think the intellectuals and politicians who read and write across the boundaries of these cultures will better be able to lead. But I think the people drinking tea and coffee, planting trees, and speaking to each otherwhether in peace villages, peace schools, or peace cafeswill be the future. That is, it's time to look to the new pottery makers for solutions to the old problems. Those who figure out how to cooperate will help figure out which pieces of the broken fit together, and will fit them together through their cooperation.

The solution to conflict in the Middle East is people. This is the most complex archaeologythat of the human spirit. It remains alive in the Middle East, and it is this spirit that will, ultimately, end the conflict in the Middle East.

Learn more about this author, Michael Deqel.
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