Epilogue Summary

The Epilogue, written fresh in 2002, is entitled "Twilight War, Twilight Peace." It focuses on the kind of encounter groups that were used in Chapter 18 decades earlier. Shipler visited Israel twice, in 1993 and in 2001, just after the Oslo accord was signed and just after the al-Aqsa Intifada demolished all hopes for peace. Each time he spoke with Jewish students in Jerusalem and Palestinian students in Ramallah.

In 1993, he finds both groups hopefully skeptical, trying to change their way of thinking, retaining old stereotypes, but working to superimpose surprisingly positive images over them. By 2001, they feel angry and personally betrayed.

In 1993, Shipler asks both sides four questions: How did you react to the Rabin-Arafat handshake on the White House lawn after signing the Oslo Accords? What comes to mind when you hear Arab / Jew? Are Arabs / Jews cowards? Who are the victims in the conflict...