As a Walnut Hills High School student, Daniel Meyer won an award for a story he wrote about Palestinian and Jewish farmers working the land together.

        Now 39 and living on a kibbutz 100 miles south of Jerusalem, Mr. Meyer's youthful idealism has faded. Instead, he advocates a separation of Palestinians and Israelis, says his mother, Rabbi Margaret Meyer of North Avondale.

At a service for peace in the Middle East, Father Al Hirt lights a unity candle Wednesday evening. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        “I'd hate for a separation to happen,” says Rabbi Meyer, who spent 10 days in Israel in March. “I live near Xavier, and it would be like someone telling me I can't go to Western Hills. But I think (a separation) is going to have to happen temporarily so everyone can calm down.”

        Escalated fighting in the Middle East worries family and friends in Greater Cincinnati on both sides of the conflict. Some hope the arrival today in Israel of Secretary of State Colin Powell will move the region toward peace. Others say the United States must take stronger action.

        “The visit is like an analgesic. It's a painkiller that will work for a few hours and then wear off,” said Dr. Asad Dalai, a Montgomery resident and University of Cincinnati pharmacology professor who grew up in and around Ramallah. “The only power that can stop this, other than the power of God, is the United States,”

        Some of his family live in the city occupied by Israeli soldiers. His 85-year-old father hasn't been able to get medicine he needs for diabetes and hypertension.

        “At the same time (Jewish leaders) are commemorating the Holocaust, they are committing holocaust,” he said.

        Dr. Charles Enzer sees the other side of the conflict. The North Avondale man returned Friday from Israel after a visit to see his daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren.

        People avoid restaurants. Kids don't have recess in schools. Hotels are empty.

        He offered to fly his daughter's immediate and extended family to the United States, but they declined, saying Israel was “their land.”

        “The only hope I see is eventually that somebody will teach the Palestinians how to have democracy, free press, middle class and capitalism,” said Dr. Enzer, a psychiatrist.

        In scratchy cell phone conversations, Zeinab Schwen has been able to piece together glimpses of life for several family members in Ramallah and the Gaza Strip: No electricity or water. Food shortages. Stench from decomposing bodies.

        “It is hell,” says Mrs. Schwen, a Symmes Township resident. “It's a horrible situation.”

        She is spearheading efforts to hold a rally 3:30 p.m. Friday at Fountain Square to demand withdrawal of Israeli forces in Palestinian territories.

        The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, along with St. Monica-St. George parish, held a prayer service Wednesday, asking for peace and healing for the Middle East.

        “It seems to me like pain and perhaps revenge is ruling,” said Sister Alice Gerdeman, coordinator of the peace center. “As long as those are the motivating forces and people can't see the good in each other, then we'll just continue to kill our best people off. And how horrible that is.”
       

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