The conflict between Judaism and Islam is millennia old, but both sides continue to fight the rhetoric war in popular media.  Though many reject the idea of peaceful negotiations, some are still pursuing diplomacy.  Even now the US is brokering another round of talks.  To gain a sense of the immediate situation, listen to this recent NPR segment on these talks.

So how do we process these competing points of view?

Should we have blind allegiance to any ally?  No.  The United States has historically supported Israel, and it must decide whether it will continue to support the democratic state, totally surrounded by nations who have openly called for its destruction and the destruction of its people.

Might this issue impact your voting choices in upcoming elections?  How can your more-informed perspective be used to advance our national discussion of this issue and help balance extremism on both sides of the debate?  A great place to start is thoughtful discussion about this issue with others.