BYU student Nabil Sharaf said he is glad but skeptical of the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council Tues. night, March 12.

The resolution supports the notion of a Palestinian state.

"All my friends had the same impression - it's about time," said Sharaf, 24, a senior from Jerusalem, majoring in engineering and information technology.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution passed with a vote of 14-0, with Syria abstaining.

"It's important that the United States is saying Israel needs to change," said Chad Emmett, professor of geography. "I think the United States realizes there will never be peace without two states."

Sharaf said this is the first positive step he has seen toward Palestinians from the Bush administration.

"The resolution is not very characteristic of past foreign policy toward Palestine," Sharaf said.

Sharaf said it was unusual for the U.N. to vote for the resolution, even though it has always been involved with the conflict between Israel and Palestinians.

"Israel has never listened to U.N. resolutions," Sharaf said.

Bill Hamblin, associate professor of history, said, "The question is where the boundaries will be, and that's not part of the resolution."

Hamblin said he will be skeptical until the deeper problems are solved.

"We don't need just resolutions. We need action," Sharaf said.

Emmett said if the United States is serious about the measure, they have to follow through by using diplomacy, encouraging dialogue, and threatening to withdraw funds supporting Israel.

Emmett said peace and sharing between both parties will bring security.

Even though the resolution does not solve everything, Sharaf said Palestinians are happy to see measures taken toward peace.

Emmett said with this resolution "we can have more balance. We should not turn against Israel, but work with it."

Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Mar 2002