Since the most recent breakdown of talks between Israelis and Palestinians, the staff of the BYU Jerusalem Center is one of the few parties able to maintain good relations with both sides.

Despite the fighting, a former center director said BYU is not in danger of losing the center.

"We really have bent over backwards not to take sides," said Victor Ludlow, professor of ancient scripture and coordinator for near eastern studies. "We have been able to maintain a good reputation with both sides."

Ludlow said BYU is using the property on a 49-year lease from the Israeli government, but the location is a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

Maps of a proposed Palestinian state show the Jerusalem center would end up in the newly formed Palestine.

"That wouldn't bother us at all," Ludlow said.

Students have not visited the center since November 2000 when suicide bombings began and fighting broke out.

According to University Communications, the staff at the center is staying put despite U.S. State Department warnings to Americans in Israel.

"For safety reasons BYU is not commenting further on the Jerusalem Center except to say it is open and the minimal staff who are there are all safe," said University Spokeswoman Carri Jenkins in a statement Tuesday.

One of the last students to attend the center, senior Jamon Clark, said the center's neighbors call it the "BYU-Mormon center" and that local shopkeepers display pictures of President Gordon B. Hinckley.

"When I was over there, I felt perfectly safe and welcome," said Clark, 23, a student from New Jersey majoring in business management.

"They allowed us in their homes and completely trusted us," Clark said. "I have not met a nicer people."

Ludlow said the center will not reopen to students until a cease-fire is reached and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give the go ahead.

"It would take a bit of a miracle to send any students this year," Ludlow said.

Ludlow and others said it has been difficult to see peace talks break down between the two sides.

"I think self-centered actions on Sharon's and Arafat's part have made the situation deteriorate," Ludlow said.

Clark said he thinks press coverage has placed too much blame on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"I find it difficult to place blame on a leader for what his fellowmen do," Clark said of Palestinian suicide bombings. "It would be like blaming Clinton for Oklahoma City, or the Pope for the recent priest scandals."

Kaye Hansen, former associate director of the center, continues to hope for peace in the Middle East.

"When I was there, it was hopeful," Hansen said. "If we can just get outside the politics, outside the rhetoric and outside the time it has been so painful."

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Apr 2002