Reported by 17 year old Tova Berkley from Israel's West Bank.

Israel is a little country in the Middle East. In the minds of many people Israel is thought if as one place; but in reality, it is two. There is Israel and the West Bank. Israel is a nice, normal place. There are cities, and farms, and all kinds of people (mostly Jewish-Israeli). The West Bank on the other hand, has Jewish-Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians would like to take over the West Bank and Israel. Over the years Israel has given them control over some places in an effort to foster peace. The Palestinians have created a police force and an army, and some other agencies to patrol their territories.

I live in the West Bank in a predominantly Jewish town. In September 2000, the Palestinians started a battle in the West Bank. They want the entire territory for themselves, including Israel. In the beginning the violence stayed mainly in the West Bank. The Palestinians would shoot at (Jewish owned) cars as they drove by, throw rocks at them, burn tires at roads, and shoot at Jewish homes in Jerusalem and around the West Bank. But the violence quickly spilled over into all of Israel. Many people on both sides have been killed since it all began. Over the past few months it seemed to have settled down a bit, but recently it started again.

Everyday there is violence. Recently there was an explosion in one of Israel 's major cities. Israelies consider this a terrorist attack. Many innocent people were injured and killed. The most horrific attack came when a baby -- a 10 month old baby -- was deliberately targeted and shot in the head by a Palestinian sniper. The baby was killed and it's father was injured. A few days later there were a bunch of boys waiting at a gas station, waiting for their ride to school, when a terrorist came and threw a bomb in their direction. Two boys, ages 13 and 15, were killed and four others were injured. Why? Because they wanted was to go to school.

You may hear about this violence on the news in your country and think that it sounds terrible. It is terrible. But there are teens and children here living with it everyday. We are just like our peers in other countries. We have dreams and aspirations and wishes. We want to feel safe, but how can we? Please know that in war or in peace, we are like you, and please wish for this violence to end.