"Those who argue that both sides in the conflict are equally to blame are copping out big time."

No, they are refusing to see one side as evil perpetrators and the other as innocent victims.

Until both sides take responsibility for their actions and stop finger pointing, playing victim, and using that as an excuse for further massacres, bombings and other violations, this conflict will continue unresolved leaving a trail of bodies on both sides.

Both "sides" have documents attempting to prove their historical right to the land. Both sides document the horrible crimes by the other side against their people.

I have a colleague who worked as a negotiator in Northern Ireland. His job was to get people listening to each other, genuinely listening to their experiences until they felt someone was finally listening.

Speaking of cop outs, I think the creation of Israel was a huge cop out by European countries after the second world war. Rather than work to eliminate racism in their countries, to protect people from all backgrounds (as Germany has since tried so hard to do) they sent the problem elsewhere.

Any Israeli listening to me talking about listening would laugh - they are surrounded by countries who are determined to wipe them out. Just as they seem determined to wipe others out. It is a horrible Catch 22.

It is a cop out to take a side in this process. I admire the people on both sides who are working towards reconciliation. That is the only side to take.