The fighting between the Israelis and the Palestinians has lasted for generations.

The names that the two groups have been called over the years may have changed, but the results have been the same: Death and suffering have afflicted the people.

The escalation in the violence over the past month is appalling. Israel says the Palestinians are to blame, while the Palestinians hold the Israelis responsible.

Whoever is the cause of the destruction, the fact is that innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of the pain.

This is unacceptable to any human being.

On this campus, as well as others around the country, students are exercising their right to speak their minds.

At many universities, groups supporting the Israelis and groups supporting the Palestinians have clashed.

Here at Penn State, the fervor showed by both groups is no different.

It is great to know that people will show passion and care for people halfway around the world. But, what is troubling is the same blame game in the Middle East continues here in the United States.

Israeli supporters find the Palestinians at fault, but Palestinian sympathizers see Israel as the main aggressor.

The educated students in various colleges in the United States are somewhat removed from the situation.

But they cannot even come to an agreement on how to rectify their own on-campus disputes about the fighting.

If on-campus infighting can't be squelched, then how can we expect the fighting to end in the Middle East?

Supporters of both sides in the United States say they advocate peace, just like the leadership in the Middle East.

Instead of trying to absolve their own side of wrongdoing, the people should work to create a common ground that Israeli and Palestinian backers can share.

These students can serve as an example of what can occur when two feuding sides work together toward a common goal.