Between December 2008 and January 2009 a war was waged between the Israeli Army and Hamas, some might say the whole Palestinian population of Gaza. After the clouds of smoke had cleared from the skies of Gaza and areas of Israel hit by rocket fire, the world was able to view the destruction caused by this war. Over 1,200 Palestinians, among them about 400 children, and 13 Israelis were killed during war. Thousands were injured on both sides, and this does not even count the victims of shock and the trauma this war has led to on both sides of the conflict.

In the period since then, we have seen what I consider to be only a deterioration of the situation. There is still sporadic rocket fire on Israeli cities and towns; Israel has not ended its blockade and is continuing periodic military incursions into the Gaza Strip. In addition to that, the Israeli public voted in the February 10^th elections in an overwhelmingly hawkish rightwing fashion and things are looking grim politically. What was once called the Israeli left has become only a portion of what it used to be. The next government appears to be one led by the far right, including even Kahanist leaders, intent on using violent means to solve the conflict, and totally against allowing dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, not to mention the creation of a Palestinian state and a viable two-state solution.

In addition to the events on the Israeli side, the Palestinian political situation is also deteriorating. The prime minister of the Palestinian Authority government, Salam Fayyad, submitted his resignation in the hope that it would enable reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas to progress. Hamas and its agenda of not recognizing Israel has only gained strength after the war, and it seems a Palestinian unity government is not possible without the hope of creating a Palestinian state through negotiation with the Israeli government. It seems as though little is being done in the political sphere, and that the peace process and any sign of it are currently in a sharp downward spiral.

That being said, I will focus my article on what can be done to strengthen the peace process. I will focus specifically on what young people, a major and powerful segment of the population, can do to strengthen the prospects for peace. I believe it is up to the young, and the young at heart, to bring about a change in consciousness throughout the region. Through this change, the two sides can bring to the table what is most necessary in this conflict: A recognition of the other side as a people, acknowledging the historic and current injustices committed towards the other side and the understanding for the "enemy's" need for self-determination, peace and the right for justice.

As the direction for change is brought up, one might rightfully ask about the methods and the actions on the ground that can be done to change the current situation. After all, the status quo is the cause of violence today and will be the cause for future violence if we do not change it. The way of living as we know it, as it has been for the last sixty years, not withstanding several important glimpses of hope, has led us into a deep hole that our two peoples have dug.

I believe young people have a major role in fighting authority and the status quo. By this I do not mean fighting authority for the sake of it, but fighting authority because it is wrong. As youths, we are able to feel; we are still able to protest; we are able to fight. We object to a reality without hope, a reality that teaches us only hatred and stereotypes, only a violent solution based on killing or being killed. The youth must represent this truth - to the fullest extent possible.

Young people are the only ones standing in the way of the interest minded politicians on one side and the fanatics on the other. They are open to new ideas; they still dream. They must start promoting these ideas and living by them. Youths are the first to look towards the future and to work towards the desired result. By working and cooperating together change can be created.

One of the most elementary ways to get a message across is through music. I propose an international music festival spread across several locations between Israel and Palestine. Music can allow for connection between people, for protest or spreading knowledge regarding life, or just for encouraging good vibes.

Another option is "Technology for the Greater Good," an informal education group, using facts and knowledge of the other side for understanding, not demagoguery. Throughout much of the conflict, technology, specifically communication and computer technology, has been used to destroy. Ignorance and bias have been a major part of the conflict and have allowed for the dehumanization of the other as an enemy. Education, joint learning through meetings can be achieved using technological resources.

"Food for Thought" - A dialogue group can be created between people from Israel and Palestine. They will share their ethnic and historical backgrounds through food, as well as propose different solutions for the conflict, or everyday problems arising inside the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Recognizing each other's culture and history can be a step towards peace.

"Planting for Peace"- Organizing a group based on agriculture and common ecological work, Palestinians and Israelis can together plant trees, flowers or vegetable patches. Land being a key reason for the conflict, we must nurture it and allow it to be used for good rather than to be demolished.

"Painting a brighter future"- Artists from Israel and Palestine can lead art courses, where people of all ages are taught and allowed to expresses their artistic feelings. This can grant people the opportunity to show glimpses of their personal lives through art, as well as painting a way out of the situation their people are in.

A political initiative is also necessary for the development of a peace plan. An organization aimed at solving the political problems must be able to develop new and ingenious ideas to gain popular support and apply pressure on politicians.

I am aware of many groups working towards coexistence within Israel and the Palestinian Territories. These include One Voice, Peace Now, Reut- Sedaka, Baladna, Heartbeat Jerusalem, and Peace It Together, to name a few. I have proposed some original ideas above, in the hope that I will be able to instill with them a new way of thinking in this region and through that improve the chances for peace.

The peoples of Israel and Palestine are steadily sinking into a terrible situation. There is stagnation in the peace process and war violence and defense are seen as the only ways to achieve a safer future. On both sides, people are frustrated, angry and afraid, not seeing a way out. Young people are the group that, in my opinion, can change these norms and work against this deteriorating situation.