The media hype has died down and the tales of bloodshed and violence in the Middle East have been overshadowed by the complications of the presidential election. But the fighting continues, and the conflict's real life effects are felt halfway around the world-even on Duke's campus.
Freshman Matthew Slovik's close friend Asel Asleh was killed by Israeli police in his hometown of Arabeh, Israel, while at a protest. Slovik met Asleh, a 17-year-old Arab, through Seeds of Peace, an organization aimed at bridging the gap between Arab and Israeli teenagers and effecting peace.
After the recent outbreaks of violence between Israeli and Palestinian forces began in late September, Slovik got the call he had been dreading for weeks. It was from the executive vice president of Seeds of Peace, who broke the news to him.
"The only words I can think of are tragic and horrible," said Slovik. "I had to sit down. I was just so shocked. It hit me like a ton of bricks."
It's been more than a month and there are still no clear answers about Asleh's death. What was Asleh doing at the protest site when he was shot? Was he helping a friend wounded by the gunfire? Had he become violent?
Regardless of the circumstances, Asleh's friends agree that his death was not justified. "It's very hard to find understanding when a 17-year-old loses his life," Slovik said.
Slovik added that he deals with Asleh's death daily. "I take more from the memory of his life than the memory of his death," he said. "He was basically an all-around good person-the kind of person who could cheer you up just by putting his arm around you or smiling from ear to ear."
Slovik said Asleh's commitment to peace makes his death even more unsettling. "He was not a violent person at all," he said. "He was at Seeds of Peace for a reason.... He had his head on straight."
Although Asleh's friends are still questioning the details of his death, they do know some facts. Asleh was found with two gunshot wounds and bruises on his body that suggest he was beaten with the butt of a rifle. Ironically, he was wearing a Seeds of Peace shirt when he was killed-a detail Slovik described as "both uplifting and disturbing."
In his six years with Seeds of Peace, Slovik served as a mediator between Israeli and Arab teenagers at summer camps run by the organization. This role allowed him to develop relationships with the participants, whom he described as "more like brothers than friends." Together, the groups participated in typical summer camp activities, but also discussed issues such as ways to achieve peace and began breaking down the stigmas about each other often taught from birth.
"It's not about everyone loving each other," Slovik said. "The main driving force behind the program is putting a face to the enemy."
Junior Omar Hassan participated in Seeds of Peace during the program's inaugural year in 1993. He is an Egyptian Arab who said he attended the program hoping to make his viewpoint heard.
Hassan said that while young people are often taught to hate members of the other side, there is a greater understanding now than just a few years ago.
"Our parents' generations were the ones who fought in the wars," he said, adding that now there is a chance for peace. "It can be resolved. Most people want it to be resolved. Now, everyone is willing to make concessions."
Slovik has his own ideas about achieving peace.
"Each side seems to be upping the ante and blaming the other side," he said. "Both leaders need to take a stand together, [rather than] each of them standing separately and saying they want peace."
The two groups have a history of conflict that dates back to the end of World War II, when Israel was formed on what was Palestinian land. Since then, the two sides have been fighting over that land, and outside forces like the United States have been trying to help them reach peace.
Hassan said that before there can be peace, America has to avoid taking sides.
"The United States must adopt a more even-handed policy if it insists on being a mediator," he said.
With some cooperation from both sides, Hassan said he thinks that peace will come soon.
"I don't think it can happen in an hour," he said. "But I think it can happen in our generation. It has to."
Slovik admits that his hope for change also comes from his visions of the future. "The real peace is going to be from the younger people," he said. "It would be so easy to just throw in the towel and say there will never be peace.... But I know there are a lot of kids out there who really want to make a difference."
In the meantime, Slovik watches the news with some trepidation. "It really scares me because who knows when the next accident will occur," he said. "I definitely go to sleep at night wondering and worrying."
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