Although American thinker and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson made this statement in the 19th century, it remains relevant today. As you work through this activity, consider his idea about peace in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis in the Middle East.

Recall what you know about human geography, and read about the long-standing conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians in Israel. Then consider the complexity and violence of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and its direct tie to the geography of the Middle East.

Write a 3-5 page research paper about the role that human geography-including factors like culture, economics, and religion-plays in the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. Follow the process outlined below, and focus your research to answer the following question:

How has human geography prevented the Israelis and Palestinians from reaching the "understanding" that Emerson cites as necessary for achieving peace?

Both Jews and Muslims consider the Jerusalem to be a sacred city. However, Jerusalem am and the wider Palestine region has been conquered numerous times by foreign powers.

In various times in history it has been ruled by Romans, Egyptians, Byzantines, the Abbasid, Seljuk, Ottomans, and the British Empire.

The Jews consider the region as holy land where their forefathers lived. Muslims only consider Palestine as the third-holiest place in the religion while for Jews it is not just about religion but about an ancestral home that they lost.

In the last 1500 years the area has mostly been ruled by Muslims and before that, only for a short period was in controlled by Jews themselves.

Yet, after the British Empire disintegrated, both Muslims and Jews laid claim to the land. Jews saw it as an opportunity to go back to their home land, while Muslims believed that they could make their own country, free of foreign control.

Herein lies the problem, for both communities it is not just about religion but a matter of survival.

Below the mask of religion, there are obvious undertones to nationalism, survival and to a lesser extent racial superiority from both sides.

Matters have only worsened due to Arabs losing two wars with Israel, which led to Israel annexing Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian territory.

How do you convince two people to give up a piece of land which both believe is not only integral to their religion but to their survival as a nation.