By Susan Abram
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated into a ground invasion Thursday, members of several Southern California associations expressed anger, sadness and frustration for both sides of the nearly two-week war, but also urged constructive dialogue to quell misconceptions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to move ground troops into the Gaza Strip stirred already raw emotions among Muslims and Jews alike, but though their opinions differed on some issues, both agreed no one wants to see war.
And certainly one that has gone this far, many said.
“What is very hard for Americans to understand when you’re watching a war on TV is this is never what we wanted. Neither side wanted war,” said Miriam Alpern, spokeswoman for Israeli American Council of Greater Los Angeles.
