A drama is unfolding at the UN over the recognition of Palestine as an independent state. 

Like you, we are watching the situation closely. Earlier today, President Obama spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. Unfortunately, his words offered very little in terms of hope, vision, or leadership in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Friday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly.  

Over the summer, my colleagues and I at APN followed with delight the partnership between Maria Ginzburg and Mustafa Alzayyan. 

The two are unlikely partners. Maria is an Israeli, a graduate of a Jewish high school in Azerbaijan, who immigrated to Israel as an adult and is now an International Relations student at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. Mustafa comes from a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. He taught himself English online to pursue his passion for computers. Back at home, in Israel and Gaza, these young people had no chance of meeting each other, let alone working jointly for peace and reconciliation. 

In June of 2006, I went to Israel on a Birthright trip.  I cannot remember exactly what my expectations were, but whether I expected it or not, I felt a strange sense of return upon landing in the Jewish state- furthered by the "welcome home!" with which our tour leader greeted us.  Walking the streets and beaches of Tel Aviv on that first day, seeing store fronts and signs in Hebrew, all the while surrounded by Jews, the sense of belonging- of oneness- was palpable.  I could breathe it in, taste it, and see it on the faces of those with whom I had applauded when our El Al plane had touched ground.