Two Boys

We have two seventeen year old boys. Khaled is from Gaza. Ehud is from Jerusalem.

Khaled believes Israel is an evil nation. It is a country mostly filled with murderers, who derive pleasure from persecuting Khaled's people. Their souls are blank and their hearts dark. They hold guns and point them at Khaled. Khaled knows if he looks wrong, an Israeli will shoot him dead without giving it a second thought. Khaled's family has no money and Khaled has no opportunity to pursue his educational goals any further. He knows Israelis view him as an animal and he isn't far from away from embracing that view.

Ehud watches an Arab teen walk by on the streets of Jerusalem and knows that this kid has hate in his heart for Ehud and his people. This kid, or somebody like him, will blow himself up just to kill some of Ehud's people. The hatred runs that deep. Ehud's family has been targets sixty years before. That persecution is the reason why Ehud lives in Jerusalem, attempting to make a life for himself free of violent oppression. He vehemently resents these Arabs who act to deny his dream.

These two, Khaled and Ehud, are irreconcilably different. Khaled's favorite non-Rocky I Rocky movie is Rocky III; Ehud's is Rocky IV. Khaled listens to 50 Cent; Ehud prefers Eminem. Khaled likes Angelina Jolie; Ehud thinks Scarlett Johansson is hotter. Khaled roots for the Lakers; Ehud, the Celtics.

Khaled hates America; Ehud loves America.

These two boys will never live together in peace. They possess impenetrable differences.