Though both Israel and Hamas have agreed to stop firing at one another, the war that lasted for three weeks between the two groups in the Gaza Strip has profoundly affected the lives of millions, including some members of the Cornell community.

Many Cornell students and staff members, especially those who were born in Israel, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, have close ties to the region. They have endured weeks of restlessness and concern for family members who still live in the war-torn state.

“Two of my cousins are soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force and one of them was fighting in Gaza. My family didn’t hear from him for the first week because the operation was secretive, so everyone was a little nervous. Thankfully he’s fine and I’m proud to have family fighting for the right of the Jewish state to live in peace,” said Ben Reich ’11, whose mother was born and raised in Northern Israel.

Cornell students who are currently studying abroad in Jerusalem, 48 miles from Gaza, said they think that their safety is not a concern. One student studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Rina Wagman ’10, has noticed the increased security measures in Israel but feels that her well-being is not at risk.

“I am not worried at all. I feel very safe here. Only people with a Hebrew University student ID are allowed on campus. The guards check your bags before entering malls and other popular buildings. I have been traveling in taxis and on buses throughout Israel and have never felt the least bit unsafe,” Wagman stated in an e-mail.

Joe Kripke ’10, another Cornell student studying in Jerusalem, feels that he is too far removed from the fighting to be anxious about his security. Rockets launched from the Gaza Strip have not reached the Israeli capital.

“Needless to say I feel entirely safe and secure here. Even without taking into account the excellent security provided by Hebrew University, Jerusalem itself is well out of the range of rocket fire,” stated Kripke in an e-mail.

Students studying abroad in Jerusalem have also reported that little has changed in the daily life of Israeli citizens.

“People are conducting business as usual. Schools, stores and restaurants are still open and busy. Every Friday afternoon, the outdoor market in Jerusalem is still bustling with people. Israelis have learned to continue to live their lives as if nothing is happening,” Wagman stated in an e-mail.

On the other hand, Prof. Munther Younes, near eastern studies, who was in Jordan when the fighting broke out, witnessed a very different reaction.

“I was in Jordan at the time. People were very upset. They thought it was a massacre rather than a war because of the large amount of deaths among the civilian population … In the Arab world you see very disturbing images, very graphic images on TV, in newspapers, everywhere. People were very disturbed,” said Younes, who was born in the West Bank and lived there until 1970.

Younes’ family, who still lives in the West Bank, had a similar reaction.

“My family feels upset and disturbed by the horror of the killing. The Palestinian medical sources have reported that 1,300 Palestinians have died, a third of which are children,” said Younes.

Members of the Cornell community have mixed reactions to the conflict. Some students think that the attack was necessary and that the media has portrayed the conflict in a biased manner.

“While on a human level, I see the current conflict as a tragedy for many. However, on a strategic level, I understand my country’s actions and would expect any other country to do the same. Furthermore, I believe that the media coverage for this conflict has been disproportionate when compared to many conflicts with the same human toll,” said Adam Baratz, ’11 who was born in Israel and moved to the U.S. in 2006.

Other members of the Cornell community believe the war has failed and that the on-going conflict is far from resolved.

“If the goal was to kill as many Palestinians as possible, then Israel succeeded brilliantly. If the goal was to destroy Hamas, they failed brilliantly because the attacks have only created more support for Hamas. Hamas is stronger than ever … It’s ironic,” said Younes.

Although opinions about this contentious issue have been mixed, the thoughts of many Cornellians are with the innocent people who are caught in the middle of the devastating conflict.

“If hostilities do break out again, I’m sure I will be at least a little worried. But the majority of my concern has been and will be for the innocent civilians – both inside and surrounding Gaza – who are negatively affected by the violence,” stated Kripke in an e-mail.

“I was in Jordan at the time. People were very upset. They thought it was a massacre rather than a war because of the large amount of deaths among the civilian population … In the Arab world you see very disturbing images, very graphic images on TV, in newspapers, everywhere. People were very disturbed,” said Younes, who was born in the West Bank and lived there until 1970.

Younes’ family, who still lives in the West Bank, had a similar reaction.

“My family feels upset and disturbed by the horror of the killing. The Palestinian medical sources have reported that 1,300 Palestinians have died, a third of which are children,” said Younes.

Members of the Cornell community have mixed reactions to the conflict. Some students think that the attack was necessary and that the media has portrayed the conflict in a biased manner.

“While on a human level, I see the current conflict as a tragedy for many. However, on a strategic level, I understand my country’s actions and would expect any other country to do the same. Furthermore, I believe that the media coverage for this conflict has been disproportionate when compared to many conflicts with the same human toll,” said Adam Baratz ’11, who was born in Israel and moved to the U.S. in 2006.

Other members of the Cornell community believe the war has failed and that the on-going conflict is far from resolved.

“If the goal was to kill as many Palestinians as possible, then Israel succeeded brilliantly. If the goal was to destroy Hamas, they failed brilliantly because the attacks have only created more support for Hamas. Hamas is stronger than ever … It’s ironic,” said Younes.

Although opinions about this contentious issue have been mixed, the thoughts of many Cornellians are with the innocent people who are caught in the middle of the devastating conflict.

“If hostilities do break out again, I’m sure I will be at least a little worried. But the majority of my concern has been and will be for the innocent civilians – both inside and surrounding Gaza – who are negatively affected by the violence,” stated Kripke.

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