Olive branches have been used as symbols of peace since old times. Planting olive trees for peace will work like magic to enhance the peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Just imagine what a program to plant one million olive trees in Israel and Palestine in a period of 20 years or less, will do. It will change hostilities to friendships, hate to cooperation, and conflict to real peace, unemployment to jobs and opportunities. With the cooperation of authorities that are involved and the land owners, such a program is appealing and is very feasible.

I foresee the sight of thousands of joyous volunteers from the peace loving, friends of Israel and Palestine, joining together to plant these trees of peace. The volunteers will include Israelis, Palestinian, and other nationals coming from all over the world. They will celebrate their participation in planting of these trees. Some of us may have the joy of joining these volunteers.

In Orlando, Florida a group of Palestinians American citizens and Jewish American citizens have been trying to reach each other. The two sides discovered very rapidly that they are helping each other to remove the obstacles that separated them. The two sides genuinely believe in peace and human dignity in the holy land that they are spiritually tied to.

In one of the discussions, one of my friends, a Jewish participant who was raised in a Zionist home asked me (I am a Palestinian) the question about my vision of the future and the strategy for peace. I answered that I envision two states (Israel and Palestine) living in peace, with border relationships similar to Canada and the United States. I envision two democratic states that would be a shining example to the world in their cooperation and good relationships.

I believe that there are better strategies for the Israelis and the Palestinians than the past strategies. The two sides must decide that continued conflict is not in their best interests. Therefore, they must resolve their conflicts in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. They should base their strategies on creating work and good living opportunities to all Palestinians and Jews alike. Such a strategy will succeed better than the strategies of the last century that caused continued conflict, bloodshed and insecurity. The strategies of the past have been based on perceptions of insecurity, fear and distrust of each other.

Last year, the Sentinel published two commentaries that we -- an American Jewish woman and a Palestinian-American -- wrote separately. At that time, we saw differing approaches to building hope and trust between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Now here we are, more than a year later, and what has changed?

Israelis and Palestinians are still destroying one another's hopes of peace. Efforts at a "road map" and other peace initiatives have seemed futile. Suicide bombers prompt military retribution, and the vicious cycle goes on and on. Arguments continue about the right to settlements and the right of return. Both sides are right. Both sides are wrong. And we, trying to remain fair-minded and faithful, watch from this distance in pain and disbelief as stories of terror, violence and death unfold.

Those of us in Orlando want to help. We want to be agents of reconciliation, to help bring about change. We support efforts to engage in dialogue rather than in vengeance. We encourage new ways to communicate, to listen generously to understand the pain and frustration of the "other." What has discouraged us from the start is the feeling of helplessness. After all, what can we do, so far away, so far removed from the place, the people, and the crises?

Christians, Jews and Muslims have different beliefs, yet all three religions have roots in the Holy Land. They also regard the olive tree as a symbol of peace.

To a Muslim, a Jew and a Christian living in Central Florida, the olive tree also could be the key to solving the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East.

Members of the Olive Trees Foundation for Peace Inc. want to plant 1 million olive trees in the Holy Land by 2014. The hope is that the trees will spur improvement in the spiritual, physical and economic environment of the Middle East and eventually lead to peace.

Their plan may sound far-fetched, but I think it could work.

"It will not solve the problem by itself, but it will contribute to a solution in positive manner and it gives us something to hope for," says Khaled M. Diab, foundation president and a Muslim who emigrated to the United States in 1953. Planting olive trees is "better than a demonstration of yelling and cussing. It is a more positive way. We're doing this out of love, not hate."