Sadly, I don't think diet can be blamed for a conflict that stretches back and far and goes as deep as this one. It would be nice if the answer were so simple.

Posted by: Abby | February 3, 2009 10:26 AM

Great concept and great ad!

Posted by: Jimmy | February 3, 2009 10:49 AM

Abby:

The blog explains this. Spreading compassion in every way possible, including diet, has the power to - in time - overshadow the travesties of this long conflict.

Just gotta believe in it.

I certainly couldn't think of a more 'complex' solution that would actually fix the problem. Understanding and Compassion, or a lack thereof is the reason any of these things still go on in the world.

Not standing behind a compassionate message 100% simply because you don't see it as the way to solve things is detremental to that very same message.

Posted by: Tom | February 3, 2009 11:27 AM

Hi!My name is Evelyn and I'm vegatarian...but...I eat fish...This is a problem? Can I eat fish? Or I can't because it is animal...

Posted by: Evelyn | February 3, 2009 12:13 PM

I was watching The Tonight Show last night with Jay Leno while he was doing the headlines stint and there was something about sushi and he said the music director Kevin Eubanks "you like sushi dont you Kevin" and Kevin said yes. I thought Kevin was a vegetarian unless he only eats veggie sushi if there is such a thing.

Posted by: Rex's Mom | February 3, 2009 02:15 PM

Hi Evelyn, last time I checked fish weren't swimming vegetables. They are animals that can suffer and feel pain as much as dogs, cats, pigs, chickens and other animals, and vegetarians don't eat animals.

Posted by: Alan | February 3, 2009 04:31 PM

This ad reminded me of the sketch from All That with the lunchlady that always went insane over people not wanting peas or objecting to peas.

And she sang such hits at the end of her rants like Give Peas a Chance and Peas Are the Champions. That would make a great ad. :)

Posted by: Pepsi One is Fun | February 3, 2009 04:52 PM

i think this is a wonderful message and peace does start on the plate, you can't condone such horrific violence just to eat meat and be an advocate for peace...

Posted by: nicole | February 4, 2009 02:01 AM

go for it P.E.T.A. we have to give a shot or we won;t know, it won't happen over night regretably but in time it may !!!

Posted by: Geraldine | February 4, 2009 05:08 AM

Evelyn, go to the site fishinghurts.com hopefully that will help change your mind. Being vegetarian means you don't consume flesh. Vegetarian=nonflesh foods.

Posted by: Carla | February 4, 2009 10:12 AM

Hello all! I have just one thing to say =D

DEATH TO AMER- Lol j/k.

I think this is a pretty good idea but...Promoting vegetarian eating styles won't put peace in the middle east.

But the "Give Peas a Chance" logo is very attracting.

Posted by: Lawlzor | February 4, 2009 11:02 AM

This is a wonderful idea. As most long term vegetarians learn, a vegetarian diet gently and wonderfully turns the mind less aggressive. This is a good thing!
You rock PETA!

Posted by: Patty Bowers | February 4, 2009 11:53 AM

Abby, the conflict surrounding Israel does not go back very far.

The Hebrews were forced out of Israel by the Romans, long before Islam became a religion.

The tension between Islam and Zionists started in 1949 after Palestinian communities were uprooted so Israel could be a racially pure state.

Anyways, I like the idea PETA.

Posted by: Brad | February 4, 2009 12:56 PM

I will take 100 bumper stickers with

Give Peas a Chance: Go vegetarian

on them. Please put the Arabic on it, too.

Posted by: Susan Ballarini | February 4, 2009 02:41 PM

Is halal butchering considered by Peta to be cruel? Doesn't the animal suffer a long time while being drained of blood?

Posted by: S Hayes | February 4, 2009 04:39 PM

cute idea but will it work? i doubt it

Posted by: farah | February 4, 2009 05:13 PM

Great message of compassion. :)

I wish modern humanity could just put these battles to rest. From the outside, it just seems so simple to me... not out of ignorance, but out of rationality. Stop hating. Stop hurting. Have compassion. Share.

Someday.

Posted by: Meech! | February 4, 2009 05:52 PM

This is a nice ad and all... but I dont think it would really help the problem at hand... and about the tonight show thing I saw that too and isn't sushi fish rolled up in seaweed, that's not a vegeterian.

Posted by: Jose Villegas | February 4, 2009 07:45 PM

As much as it sounds good to promote non animal violence, I think it will offend the families who have had their family members murdered by either side to see an ad like this. Better to be promoted somewhere else, not right where people have had to endure so much pain

Posted by: Sue | February 4, 2009 08:07 PM

Halal meat: I remember PETA investigated halal slaughter in India and Middle East and it was horrendous; but in Australia, they found that the cows were allowed to be rendered unconscious, so that's horrible but better than when they know exactly what's going on as someone hangs them up or casts them tot the ground and saws through their throats; and the slaughter of sheep, supposedly halal that was witnessed by PETA and another group was also hideously cruel. Of course PETA has also found cows trying to stand up with their tracheas hanging out of their throats afer supposed kosher slaughter, and deer being "kosher" slaughtered, and chickens too in hideous ways that would make kind people of any religion sick. Best thing is "go veg" and animals have no fear, no pain and you sleep well at night!

Posted by: jennifer belchambers | February 4, 2009 09:12 PM

Brad,
I hope your kidding when you say the conflict in Israel doesn't go very far back. Jews have to be the most prosecuted people in history. The Hebrew people have been fighting for their right to be free and exist from the beginning. Read about Mosses and the exoudus.
Jews were one of the first religions to believe in one God, that made them the enemy of everybody. That stigma has stuck with them since the beginning. The middle east struggle doesn't come down to what people eat, it comes down to religous idealology. Eating peas, carrots, soy burger, grass or whatever will not earse the hatred. Education about each other from both sides is what it will take.
If anything would bring them to together it would be common things they share. Both religons eat certain type of meats, sharing that would bring them together more than forcing veganism on them.

Posted by: Kurt K | February 5, 2009 12:36 PM

love the concept and pictures....cat

Posted by: cat plowman | February 5, 2009 05:49 PM

Brilliant! Yes, peace begins on our plate. Or as Leo Tolstoy stated: “Thou shalt not kill" does not apply to murder of one's own kind only, but to all living beings; and this Commandment was inscribed in the human breast long before it was proclaimed from Sinai.

Posted by: Cateliya | February 5, 2009 05:54 PM

Hey, Rex's mom...I also heard that comment on the Leno show when he asked Eubanks if he ate sushi and was surprised. Yes, Kevin Eubanks is supposedly a vegetarian, and vegetarians do not eat ANY animals.

I actually have people ask me if I eat fish when I tell them I'm a vegetarian. Duh...

Posted by: Cathy | February 5, 2009 06:46 PM

I have been a vegetarian for 20 yrs & I'm hugely passionate about vegetarianism but I think it would be in very bad taste to even suggest putting this cartoon in such a prominent place in the Gaza strip. Maybe it's hard for those living in countries which don't have a history of conflict & terrorism to understand(I grew up in Ireland so I do), but where families & communities have been torn apart for decades by violence, prominently parading such a cartoon in that environment would feel to them as if you are belittling their tragedy, regardless of the truth in your msg. Peta, you do great work but you're way out of your depth here & if you push ahead with this you may even serve to isolate the cause of vegetarianism. Instead of cartoons & slogans like 'give peas a chance' why not make use of the wonderful quote from famous Irish playwright & veggie George Bernard Shaw "While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?" powerful stuff, eh? :)

Posted by: Marie | February 5, 2009 07:18 PM

I believe it, one day everything is possible peace of animals starts with peace between humans.

Posted by: Gina | February 5, 2009 07:26 PM

I think it would work for
everyone to become vegan to save the world. 90 % of the big fish are gone from our oceans. 70 % of the corn grown in this country is fed to animals. Going vegan would help the violence man has done to this earth too.

Posted by: coolmtnman | February 5, 2009 09:03 PM

Cute message, a little bit naive but hey, it might make someone smile?
This might sound silly, considering I know nothing about either languages...
but will the play on words between "peas" and "peace" make sense when it is translated?

Posted by: Kim | February 5, 2009 10:02 PM

I think the ad is cute and well intentioned. Maybe it would put the idea in some people's heads that they could sit down together. Heck, it can't hurt, can it? I imagine the other side's characters faces won't last on the sign very long though.

Posted by: Carla | February 5, 2009 11:17 PM

indeed as US president obama has said that time has come for CHANGE. we need to change our thoughts,habits and our attitude towards animal nation.
we can hope that all the earthlings can live peacefully and happily: peas should be given a chance to save our society from scourge of violence

Posted by: chiranjit karar | February 5, 2009 11:28 PM

I like the idea. Why not give it a shot? Nothing else has worked all these years. Great ideas have been tried and failed.
Seriously, if we can't stop violence against innocent animals who've harmed no one, how can we expect open hostilities between people to cease? The plate seems a good place to start the peas process.

Posted by: lynda downie | February 5, 2009 11:46 PM

You can't force any concept leading to compassionate coexistence with other beings sharing the earth and/or universe with us on anyone. We move there when our consciousness is ready to take that step.

I had tired to go vegetarian a decade ago. I could not succeed. Four years ago during a meditation retreat towards "All is one Consciousness", I felt all filters I had put in place to protect me from pain came crumbling down. All those filters which enabled my survival obviously blocked my awareness to how my choices as a consumer contributed to the suffering in the world.

During the "All Is One Consciousness" meditation retreat, I happened to notice ducks swimming in the lake, they were playing, they were chasing each other. Seeing joy embedded in those beautiful creatures sharing the world with me at that instant I was overcome by guilt for having had eaten their kind before. Oh how I had loved duck meat. In my mind I found myself apologizing.

That was then when I decided no longer my survival would have to cause suffering and death of any other being.

Going vegetarian was only the first step. It openned such a can of worms. I kept being more and more aware of idealized personal and group identity traps that contribute to the suffering in the world. Would it work as such for others, I don’t know. Please allow me share some of my revelations.

Let's take one of the group identities: National identity. Having lived in two worlds twenty plus years each. Having loved people and culture in both. Realizing how history had always been thought with a perspective of injecting the "love of country", the greatness of people, etc., etc. Well, if not how could you get people sacrifice themselves if there is a real, worst "imaginary" treat to national unity. There is the catch, while there is glorifying of sacrificing one's own life for one's nation/country. The question is always "Are you willing to die to protect your nation?", you will see takers. Why does the flipside of that question elude everyone "Are you willing to kill to protect your nation?" How many volunteers shall we see? Now that I can’t even kill insects invading my home, I know what my answer will be. On the other hand, if I see threat coming to people I love, to children, women I don’t even know, won’t I be driven to act to protect them? How do I know the difference between a real danger vs. my need to make someone pay for the suffering I saw. Who made me the juror and the judge? See, since my protective armor, filters came down I don’t only see the suffering, I feel it. “Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.” I say to myself jokingly as I was trying to understand compassion and trying to become one with it.

Israel-Palestine conflict. Centuries old nightmare, somehow I sense it turned into either-or survival belief, I keep hoping it might turn into why not-both of us mutual dependency. I tend to read ancient and current history from all perspectives, so I can arrive at the political interpretation that resonates with respecting, honoring both people.

Ancient history goes back and forth with both Arabs and Jews claiming having been there earlier. Why would one group of people being there earlier than the other would grant exclusive rights to occupy a land when there are both people living there today? Well some historian says it is not possible and even necessary to find a divergence between Canaanite civilization dating back to bronze periods, and Jewish people escaping from Egypt joining them. Historical records point to them having merged into a single ethnic group. Polarizing in religious identities appear to have made them forget that they have been brothers. That from hard-core historical perspective, if you add religious mythology perspective to this, we see Abraham’s two son’s Isaac and Ishmael’s descendents fighting with each other for a piece of land. We see two brothers’ clan continuing to hurt each other.

Anti-Semitism. What fed such strong hatret of our Jewish brothers and sisters? Jewish deicide was one, which is an antisemitic canard that placed the responsibility for the death of Jesus on the Jewish people as a whole? Plain racism? Religious, ethnic, cultural biases? Well, after the WWII, the world witnessed the worst human rights abuses. It appears such a history of suffering gave rise to militant Zionism.

In a way, I can understand the need for militant nationalism; in Jewish history it has turned into a matter of survival for Jewish people to have a home land. But when I look at how fanatic Zionism embodied it, I get confused. It appears militant Zionism as an action, created militant Palestine nationalism as a reaction. They have been mirroring each other for centuries. And the reflections have not been complimentary to look at. “It takes courage to forgive”. It takes courage to see who we have turned into.

Posted by: Breeze CourageousWarrior | February 6, 2009 12:02 AM

The comments here are just an example of why peace is not possible there.I support the mural, because while humans and warlords fight for their foolish reasons whichever they are, animals are suffering in various ways.

Posted by: Aurea | February 6, 2009 03:19 AM

Every babe,black,white,yellow or mixture of hew comes into the world from mothers Holy passage covered in blood and without any garments and when her or his time is done on mortal mother earth,is buried,cremated or left to vultures with clothes and without clothes.
So why fight,kill,cull or slaughter?Is the blood lust due to being born with blood covering the infant child and being then circumcised and fed slaughtered animals full of fear,anxiety,stress through halal and kosher methods?Does the same fear and anxiety tarnslate into fear and anxiety in the one who consumes the dead flesh of the animal and does he then take out all that on fellow beings?Is it that the animals cruelly reared and brought up with all sorts of crulety,barbarity and sufferings and then also fed chemicals ,who are then killed in mediveal slaughter in the name of God,grip the fear of the consumers and is it a wake up call by God to humans that what you do unto others will be done to you.i.e abused animals dead flesh will turn humans against fellow humans.

Posted by: Ravi Pandya | February 6, 2009 03:39 AM

First of all, there is vegetarian sushi. I eat it often. Second, misrepresentations of the Arab-Israeli conflict don't help further non-violence. Racial purity in Israel? Come on! Some of you need to read up on things before you comment. A little bit of help: an Israeli politician recently said, "If the Palestinians lay down their arms, there will be peace. If the Israelis lay down their arms, there will be no more Israel." Third, the idea is that teaching compassion can influence things far beyond our plate. It is a well known fact that teaching children to love animals helps them love people, too.
In case you think Israelis are a nation of carnivores, think again.Some of us are vegans-including those of us who have spent many nights lying awake, wondering whether or not their sons were going to return from this war.

Posted by: Cathy | February 6, 2009 05:40 AM

It is important to know your history and your roots, to know who you are. But does this make you know how to grow? To what direction? Yesterday has gone. Has tomorrow gone, too?

Posted by: Martta-Liisa Harju | February 6, 2009 06:40 AM

hi kurt k, i understand what you're saying. the conflict has nothing to do with religion, contrary to what the media portrays. real jews wouldnt kick people out of their homes and take away their land. likewise real muslims aren't terrorists. both muslims and jews have had bad press over the years but the minority that are giving them a bad name are the opposite of what their religions are teaching them. so like you said, they carry a stigma.
back to the peas ad. to be completely honest, i dont think its gonna work. first of all in hebrew and arabic the word peas doesnt sound like peace, secondly both muslims and jews believe that they should eat meat. oh, and thirdly, in impoverished areas, i'm sure people will eat whatever they are given.
i do like the idea of everyone sitting together to eat though. but is it an israeli or palestinian family? or half and half? (i dont think that's gonna happen in the near future lol) if they are palestinian, muslims dont wash the dishes by filling the sink with soapy water, and most dont allow dogs in the house.

Posted by: lara | February 6, 2009 07:39 AM

It is time that we realized that when it comes to violence, we are all responsible. Violence is violence, whether it is against animals or humans. Making an effort to stop killing animals is a concious decision to halt violence against our fellow beings and we could use more concious acts like that.

Posted by: Helen Jones | February 6, 2009 10:29 AM

TRY IT AND PRAY ABOUT IT FIRST AND PRAY ABOUT IT ONCE YOU PUT UP THE PICTURE.I WILL KEEP PRAYING AS WELL,THANK YOU GOD BLESS,KEEP UP THE GODLY WORK PETA.

Posted by: moe | February 6, 2009 11:08 AM

I understand there is nothing trivial about going veg. But I think this ad trivializes the real issues behind the war in Israel/Palestine. We know it is so much more than simply wanting peace. I imagine many local residents would scoff and say "if it were only that easy!" and the message will be entirely lost. And, from a culturally relative standpoint, I imagine most Palestinians and many Israelis are worrying about more looming issues than vegetarianism. One has to be able to survive day-to-day first before you can go veg, right?

My perspective is, if you want vegetarianism in Israel/Palestine, you need basic human rights first. So start there if worldwide vegetarianism is really your goal...

Posted by: Tanya | February 6, 2009 12:00 PM

A pun, i.e. a play on words, only works in its native language, so this seems silly to me. And how can we encourage any culture to become vegan when we can't even make a dent in their disregard for human life? Or in their well known pervasive cruelty to animals even outside of the issue of slaughter for food?

Posted by: Deborah Ahrendt | February 6, 2009 01:00 PM

THERE ACTUALLY IS SUCH A THING AS VEGGIE SUSHI :) IM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND A VEGETARIAN AND THEY SELL IT HERE. ITS JUST RICE AND SEAWEED AND VEGGIES, STUFF LIKE THAT. ITS PRETTY GOOD.

Posted by: Jordan | February 6, 2009 01:01 PM

Peace and Love are the things that this World is needing right now, if we want to continue surviving with our species and the rest...practice it...Take Care...
God Bless You...

Posted by: Maynor Gómez Torres | February 6, 2009 01:03 PM

I am overwhelmed to read about PETA’s idea of bringing peace to the Middle East. I am a firm believer in reincarnation which includes the quest to improve my karmas. Karmas can be individual as well as group. I respect life in all forms and I am personally very conscious that I do not cause any harm to any living being. I am also conscious that I should harness a non-violent way of life not only for the betterment of my own karmas but also for the betterment of the karmas of my immediate family, friends, strangers – basically for the whole world. Not only just the Middle East but every part of the world where there is social and political unrest and mindless killing, I pray that people realize the intimate connection between relating to life in all its glorious forms and violence around them. This reminds me about something significant that Sharon Stone said after the earthquake struck in China in the context of the human-rights violations of the Tibetan people by China –“Is that karma, when you’re not nice that the bad things happen to you?”

Spiritual logic begins where rational thought ends. I also believe in the power of thoughts – that we can change the cruel ways of the world if all of us can together send waves of non-violent thought into the Universe. I think organizing prayer groups for defenseless animals can really be a blessing.

Posted by: Amrita | February 6, 2009 02:43 PM

Hi,

I think it is a great idea. See, vegetarianism/veganism will provide a common ground to all parties. People can then all work together to care for these very same animals, rather than eat them. And once they see how innocent and sentimental animals can be, they will change their whole way of thinking.

Also, by eliminating violence/cruelty towards other living beings (i.e. animals), the internal aggression inside of people can be significantly reduced if not eliminated.

I know I may sound like an "idealist", but such thinking/planning is needed to bring peace b/w humans & animals, and b/w humans & humans.

Posted by: Kunal Asar | February 6, 2009 04:27 PM

Kurt, well said. Judaism has been the first religion in which others are based on. The roots are all the same, going back to Judaism no matter what religion one is.

I think the ad is cute and will make someone smile. It's hard to think things can be solved when peace means just that and not firing hamas rockets into the homes in Israel where children sleep and play, etc. If we had only 15 seconds to grab our children, elderly parents, pets, etc from an incoming hamas rocket, HOW WOULD OUR LIVES CHANGE? We never think of how it is because we don't hear the daily barrage of rockets flooding the schools and homes of inncocent people. WE all need to think how our lives would change if we had 15 seconds to try to get cover... no matter where we are... school, park, work, home, grocery store, etc.

Posted by: Mel | February 6, 2009 04:43 PM

I am an USA/Israeli citizen and Cathy from Ireland wrote from a place of experience and wisdom; Though the pun is cute, cute is not what is needed here to reach down into the souls of the people on both sides. It is better to touch their souls than tickle their funny bone; a better quote would be the quote by George Bernard Shaw "While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?" :)peace to all and an end to all terrorism, be it the jihad terrorists that endanger all humans, or the human terrorist that endanger the voiceless animals!!

again;
George Bernard Shaw "While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?"

Posted by: Mitzi Ocean | February 6, 2009 08:19 PM

the hideous crimes committed by the israeli army down-there are a first class example how meat eaters are treating their fellow species - the one who doesn't respect another species doesn't respect his own one! even if there are rumors that tzipi livni is a vegetarian - but also adolf hitler was vegetarian and a 'man-eater'! in ancient sanscrit language such beings are called 'raksasas' - demons! i pray to krishna that these poor godforsaken souls may be enlightened and change their politics!

Posted by: Bharata | February 7, 2009 08:09 AM

Please pay close attention to Marie's comment Feb. 5. While your intention may be sound, its delivery is flawed. We need to be aware of cultural dynamics, often very subtle, when we enter the space of others. This cartoon will be read as an insult.

Posted by: Tom | February 7, 2009 08:40 AM

hey, kurt and mel - are you insane? or don't you look al jazeera channel? the other channels don't show the true abominations - mainly the us channels!!!!! there is no excuse for the criminal atrocities committed by the israeli army in gaza - they shot deliberately on every moving thing - also innocent animals - and above all children - babies! and un facilities! they mutilated mainly women and children and used atom-polluted paraphernalia and white phosphorus - for experimentation! if you ernestly think that an arabian baby's life is less worth than another human beings' life you should be put to jail because you are a danger for humanity! i'm an animal rights activist but i'm also against cruelty to humans! furthermore palestine belongs to the palestinians and not to israel - israel was made by the english! in the same way as america was made by the europeans with false documents, extermination of the buffalo and killing the red indians with poisoned blankets! and judaism is not the oldest culture in the world neither is china - but bharata - called 'india' by the english invaders! you should learn more about historic facts and be more honest and admit that israel is just an american military base and all the fat arab leaders are bought by the yankee dollar - sh***ing in their pants! the heroic arabian population is the victim and not israel because some western countries are so-called 'terrorist-breeders' in provoking and manipulating in fashistic ways the stupid world population which is not aware of real facts - the best example is the vivisection! a great part of the population thinks that it's necessary but it's just serving 'the belly of the beast' this means the purse of the 'upper thousand'! i'm keen to know if PETA has the courage to put this online because this time i'm shooting with sharp munition!

Posted by: the shoes | February 7, 2009 09:14 AM

Maynor,

I am interested in the things you said. While riding my bike, I have visualized opening up my spirit, and sending it out to every nonviolent person who also believes in prayer. I can see us encompassing the Earth with a strong spiritual shield protecting Mother Earth, while she protects us. I actually call out loud to unite us all spiritually and say "Come on everyone! We do have the power to bring peace and harmony to the planet. Let's do it!" If we all did that at the same time, who knows what changes we can bring? When I do it, there is no doubt in my mind that there are people out there doing the same. People who know the kind of change that would happen if we could stop the violence.

Posted by: Rachel Boonin | February 7, 2009 10:41 AM

the shoes,
I'll trust Al Jazerra with an un biased view of the Israeli conflict when pigs grow wings and fly, or it snows in Hell. Don't speak to me of atrocities commited by the Irsaeli army. Show me proof if it so prolific. Israel has the right to defend itself from the thousands of rockets being launched by Hamas and their thugs.
Israel wants peace and so do the Palestinian people, but there are those among the Palestinian population that want nothing but blood. Everytime there is a ceasefire it is ruined by Hamas.
Having said that, I never said the Jewish religon was the oldest. I said it was one of the oldest and one of the first to embrace one God.

Posted by: Kurt K | February 7, 2009 11:02 AM

The family in the cartoon is half arab and half jewish. Look at the dinner plates. Life is a constant struggle of good versus evil. Half the people mess up and the other half tries to do something to fix it. I feel so sorry for the animals everywhere in the world.

Posted by: Diana | February 7, 2009 12:06 PM

Great idea PETA!

Hi Rex's mom, there is vegetarian sushi, it's made of seaweed, rice with cumcumber or avocado rolled inside it and other kinds of vegetables or fruits.

The shoes, I agree and besides children and women, I have seen birds flying out of bombings on the news (Al Jazeera), how many other animals do you think have died and no one can rescue the still alive injured animals because even people were deprived from medical help and were dying.

Posted by: Dana Barakat | February 7, 2009 01:25 PM

I believe everything helps. Keep up the good work PETA. You guys are AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Charles S | February 7, 2009 03:59 PM

Your suggestion presumes an equality between Israelis and Palestinians, and that if each side just treated each other, and animals, nicely, things would be better. This naive view over-simplifies and trivializes a very serious and deadly situation. You wouldn't have suggested, in apartheid South Africa, that black people just sit down with whites and everything would be nice.

And suggesting posting anything on the separation wall implies an acceptance of the apartheid system currently in force in Palestine. Rather, you should protest the separation wall as cruel and inhumane, which it is.

I'm sure Palestinians will appreciate yours and PETA's interest in their well-being, but I don't believe this is the best way to let them know of it.

Posted by: Dave | February 8, 2009 11:49 AM

kurt k
it was bharata the first culture to embrace one GOD, but illiterate and uninformed western spirits ignore it - as the english invaders understood the word 'JAGANNATH' which means the 'Lord of the Universe' as JUGGER NAUGHT' the 'moloch of hindustan' - you see how blindness works? and there are terrorists in this world with little purse like hamas but there are terrorists who are much more dangerous - those of the western countries who insist in lying and selling weapons to the near east and third world and their leaders are sitting on the highest possible chairs and their purses are filled with dirty blood money from killing humans and animals! they don't do it themselves but ignorant people are serving them in falling on their nose in front of them because they are blinded by their false 'glitter'! these terrorists are the 'sheeps in wolfs' pelt' and far more dangerous than the otherones because all the negative power of this earth is within their hands!

Posted by: the shoes | February 8, 2009 01:12 PM

I don't think that people in such situation will worry about animals when their lives are in danger... but maybe one in a thousand (or less) would consider that. worth trying though.. :)

Posted by: Ieva Lancmane | February 8, 2009 04:08 PM

Brad, wow, your knowledge of history may be an immeasurable void. Just for starters, nothing about the creation of the modern state of Israel had to do with racial purity; and there has been a CONTINUOUS Jewish presence in the area (even in Jerusalem, even after the Babylonian exile, the Crusades and the re-emergence of Islam) since Biblical times. The "Palestinians" (many of them recent descendants of laborers who moved to Palestine to work for the early Zionists: even Arafat was Egyptian) having been sold out by their own people, and by the British, is another story. You might want to do some self-education before adding to the destructive misinformation out there. Peace and love (peas and lunch?), everybody.

Posted by: Pam | February 8, 2009 11:19 PM

Hi,

I agree with Cath from Ireland and Mitzi Ocean. The message of Animal rights is so important - I would like to see a meaningful quote instead of the cartoon. We need to respect the pain and anguish of the people, wouldn't Peta's message be lost if approached in a light hearted way? If it reached right down into the hearts, minds and souls of people then I believe it would be appropriate at this time and place. I would also like to see a wall full of peace banners, one adjoining the other, animal rights beside womens rights beside respect for earth beside love of all....I wouldn't like to see Peta's message ostracised - it could be a part of something bigger, which I believe is Peta's intention here..to inspire an end to all suffering......this is a major place of pain...we need big healing here.

Posted by: Bridgette | February 9, 2009 03:18 AM

Its a nice saying if peace and respect can start for animals then maybe it will spreed, do i think it will make much difference...no, people becoming vegetarian will not stop the inocent deaths, unjustice happening in the gaza Strip, but its a positive idea

Posted by: Moyrah | February 9, 2009 08:13 AM

Rachel,

I think you meant Amrita :-) You have very beautifully described that we all are connected, we just need to “hear”, “listen”, and “feel” in a very different way. Those who feel pain hearing and watching animals suffer or for that matter any living being suffer, are blessed to know of this connection. I too do not doubt that when I am sending my prayers, many people across the world are doing the same at that moment in time. And I too wonder were we to unite at one point in time in sending out our thoughts, what miracles we can create....

Posted by: Amrita | February 9, 2009 08:24 AM

Pam - according to the Old Testament there was indeed a continuous Israeli presence in the Kingdom of Israel - but they lost it - according to history! and just because of the hideous crimes and extermination of jews all over Europe during World War 2 the europeans got a bad conscience and so the english sovereign over Palestine in that time decided to give them a Homeland - expropriating the whole Palestinian indigenous population! There is nothing to be said against a Homeland - but a Homeland for both - fifty fifty! That's fair and just and not a onesided expropriation of indigenous arabians in favour of mainly european emigrants living thousands of years as europeans in europe even if those evil bastard europeans didn't recognize the jewish europeans at their side! In fact many jewish europeans identified themselves completely as europeans and only after the horrible holocaust under the hitler regime awoke inside them the thought of returning to the home of their ancestors! but it is the home of their ancestors and not theirs! for example as an italian of swiss origine i cannot go to turkey and take their land just because my ancestor Aeneas left burned Troy to find a new homeland in Italy - even if His original homeland is Troy in Turkey! Did you get the point? even this here has not anymore much to do with animal protection but i think that justice for animals and justice for people is ok in the same way!

Posted by: la montanara | February 9, 2009 09:20 AM

Diet is irrelevant to the situation in Israel\Gaza, and I don't particularly care for the way that PETA capitolizes on current events and popular culture.

Posted by: Mardi DeBerry | February 11, 2009 06:00 PM

The mural will not solve anything (in terms of the brutal illegal occupation of Palestine), but I love it. And along with the countless war crimes committed by the IDF recently, imagine how many animals were killed: livestock, people's pets, wildlife. Not that the Zionists care about this. The Zionists care only about the Zionists. And even though they transformed the Gaza strip into the Ruble strip, they are no further ahead. Fools.

Posted by: Jamie | February 18, 2009 06:07 AM

You should know that animal protein does stimulate the brain, according to neurosciences, towards a more aggressive and violent behavior.
This has been shown by a us project,the "maranantha" project, which is divided to two sections. The section B(vegetarian) and the section A (non-vegetarian). In section A prisoners are same as other prisoners. In section B though they were casual clothing and do the kind of job they used to before being imprisoned. The prisoners were all convicted for serious crimes. The result? Several prisoners in Section B(vegetarians) were released in favour by the us president due to the enormous positive change in their personality!!!

Posted by: Antonis | August 9, 2009 05:50 PM