Hello stranger,

             This blog was created by me, Alexa Fox, as a way to communicate to others what it is like to travel and explore new cultures. I currently am a senior at Fresno Pacific University majoring in History, as well as International Affairs. Someday, I hope to teach, but until then, I love learning about new cultures and the history, as well as the people who make up these different cultures. Last year, I took a trip to Southeast Asia that included stops in Vietnam, Cambodia, as well as a brief stop in South Korea. This year, I have embarked on a new adventure that will take me to the Middle East to learn about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Known as the Holy Land, Israel is one of the most disputed places ever since the creation of it in 1948. From the Christian Zionist movements to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Israel, and Palestine, remain at wits end as no peace solution has been written up. Both sides struggle to find a common grounds as both see this place as their own Holy Land. Different religions and races thrown together in a plot of land with no boundaries as to who gets what eventually leads to war. Many conflicts have occurred between not just both sides, but other neighboring countries as well. From the Six Day War in 1967 to the First and Second Intifada (second in 2000), both sides have engaged in warfare that has left each in despair as there is no reconciliation. Gaza, the West Bank, Sinai, Golan Heights, as well as the city of Jerusalem itself have been in different hands for over 50 years, and still continues to be disputed. Peace agreements time after time have been attempted, but have fell through at the last second. Camp David, as well as the United Nations still have no resolution towards this conflict.
             As my classmates and I embark on this trip, the main thing to remember is to keep an open mind about everything. As simple as it sounds, if there is one thing that I have learned from college, and from traveling outside the United States is that the world has a lot more to offer than what we, as students are taught in school.  Traveling to Vietnam and learning about the Vietnam War gave me a new perspective on how others can see and interpret things. Being as objective as possible is key to understanding and learning how the other side lives. This mindset, for a non-Arab or non-Jewish American is ultimately the best way that one can go into studying this conflict. For the next two weeks, I will be traveling to different cities in Israel, as well as entering into Palestine and staying in settlements. Our group will be hearing from different activist organizations and what they have to say about the conflict. We may as well talk to some politicians, but that will not be known until we get there. Until then, wish us luck on our forever long plane ride of 20 hours worth.

Shalom,

Alexa