Week 3- Clash of Civilizations or Conflict of Interest

It is striking to realize how society influences innocent people to do the unimaginable due to the lack of hope. In the film, to Die in Jerusalem the mothers of both an Israeli and Palestinian girl speak to the world. Ayat, a young Palestinian, decided to end her life through a suicide bombing. Her actions led to the death of two people including a young Israeli named Rachel and herself. Suicide bombings have become increasingly in number as the oppression of the Palestinian people by Israel continues. Children are exposed to this way of life and witness first hand acts of cruelty against their people.
The film was very touching as both girls were victims of a conflict that began many generations before. People argue that what Ayat did was wrong but it must be understood that such actions have become so common. I personally thought that Rachel’s mother was too bound up in what happened and was only looking for Ayat’s mother to say that what her daughter did was wrong. I felt that she was not open to what the other mother had to say and since the beginning never really gave Ayat’s mother a chance. She was skeptical of Ayat’s family without even knowing them.
Also her visit to the women’s prison was very disturbing to me as she tried to question and analyze women who were caught trying to accomplish a suicide bombing. I did not know what she was doing there and her preaching to the women was unbelievable.
As for the idea of clash of civilizations, Ayat and Rachel’s story does not encompass this idea. Religion is the difference that is mostly recognized. This conflict is not a clash of civilizations but rather a political derived problem. The people of both sides are very similar and live in practically the same region. Politics are the reason that one is oppressed and one is the oppressor. This oppression changes the way people go on with their lives other wise both would have similar lifestyles. All the people have a family that they care for, look after their property, and have hopes for the future.