I wanted to point out the flavor of change I'm seeing in the wrold. Feel free to smile, I am. Here is some of what peole are saying.

Comments from "Essential things Israelis and Iranians should know about each other" at Haaretz.

Persian Hero:
"Hey,

Well I can say what I read in this article about Iran are true, I don`t know how is it about Israel as I have never been there, but it looks like Iran and Israel are somehow similar.
I wish I could visit Israel and learn hebrew and know more about their culture and literature.
Dialogue is always better than war.
Cheers,
"


Tony J:
"So refreshing to read an article like this. Thank you Haaretz."


Avi:
"Cheers man for trying to build a "bridge"! Keep on writing these articles, the more people that read them the better."


RW:
"Is there any way this article can be translated into Persian and put into an Iranian newspaper?
I know it sounds like a crazy idea but the article is so inspiring!"


salman makki:
"I think that the jews and the iranian would get along just fine if there leaders stop spreading wrongful messages about one another.i am a shia lebanese from bintjbail the border village with isreal and it was totaly distroyed during the 06 war with our neighbor isreal and yes that makes me verry angry with the jewish governments aggresive respond to the cross-border operation that hezzbolah conducted becouse the amount of death and destruction from that war was verry uncalled for becouse beleive it or not i speak for me and many others like me that we love the jewish people and we would love to see the day come where lebanese and jews live sidebyside in peace and harmony becouse thats true when you compare shia and jewdism that they are sorrounded by more enemies than friends"


Mohammad Kahvand:
"Dear Authors,

Cosidering the dangerous situation we are facing, I was amazed reading your article. As an Iranian-American, I feel deeply about the current conflict going on between the States, Isreal, and Iran. Your article has many positive points that unfortunately is not being at least heavily considered by the politicians for all the sides. I hope articles like yours could help to bring common sense back to the decision makers in this regard and save the world for a disaster with lots of causalities.
Kind Regards,
Mohammad Kahvand"


David:
"Thank you. A rare exposition of impartiality, rationality, non-demaguery and sanity. Please let`s have more of this.
David"


Ami:
"As an Isreali that is so concern about the situation I hope this article will help leaders on both sides to open eyes and hearts.
Please find a way to translate it to Arbic and to Iranian newspaper
What about translating it to Hebrew?!"


Cyrus the Great:
"Articles like this are long overdue. I hope that this is the first in a series. No! Nobody is
naive to think that these will solve the intractable problems and bridge the perception gap. But they are an absolutely necessary good first step. I have been astonished many times by an amazing and dangerous degree of ignorance displayed by in some posts about Iran (terms like ?a patch of sand,? ?multiplying like rabbits,? ?backward,? ?eating tree barks? were used describing Iran). I get the feeling that some look down on the Iranians and know little about their achievements in a number of fields (from nanotechnology and biotechnology to engineering and technical services). Personally, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Jewish people who enriched our lives by giving the world the likes of Marx, Mahler, Einstein (and, yes, Jon Stewart!). At the same time, I have no respect and sympathy for ?Israel-exceptionalism? and aggressive policies that seem to guide Israel?s politics and government at leas since 1967. They are as bad as and even worse than their counterparts in Iran!"


DFW:
"What a great idea to have two knowledgeable and well-respected authors to co-mingle their understandings of such important topic for the benefit of us all.
Well done! Bravo"


Walter:
"The basic premise is good. We are all living under governments that not always represent what the regular people think or would prefer.
It may be naive and innocent, but I consider it very important to remind the other side that there are people as afraid as they are of this "black box" represented by the very generalized "enemy".
The same way I resent it when I read that settlements are being built in problematic areas, I assume that many Iranians are asking why their government invests so much in armaments when their economy is in ruins.
No lefty "poetry" here. "


Jeff:
"Thank you Haaretz!
Very inspiring article!"


Cyrus:
"Three thousand years of history between the two states and only since 1979 the situation has taken 180 degree turn towards conflict.
Iran is filled with places that are sacred to the Jewish peple. eg Temple of Esther,Daniel of Susha. You can refer to the Bible to read the stories that have binded the two nations together, like it or not.
War will not solve the situation nor better it for either side, it will creat a situation that has a strong potential for total destruction of the area and beyond.
Lets give peace a chance and lets not play into the hands of men of hate on both sides."


Smadar:
"excellent article and last paragraph holds the essence that really there should not be any conflict between the Iranians and Israelis since there really were none. Continuing the dialogue and highlighting the historical significances of the shared Jewish and Muslim past in the region is important in contributing to reconciliation."



Shimon Cleopas:
"The small boy of Israel is the same as the Iranian Hidden Imam.
There will be peace on earth and as foretold in Isaiah 11:6, the lamb will sleep with wolf at night like wedded couples.
regards."


Bijan:
"This step may seem trivial. But then this is how all the major things begin and gain momentum as they move along
We are only temporary guests in this world. When we are close to meet our end we will see the emptiness and stupidity of everything we have learned to hate for. The only things that will matter will be how many hearts we have gained and much seeds of love we have cultivated."


The Equalizer:
"It was in Seattle in a medical residency and the Shah had sent him and many others to study abroad. He was proud and intelligent as well as very nicely mannered. Then the Mullahs took over and banished the Shah and he was not even allowed to go back to visit his parents.
He is a well-respected professor now in California.
There is NO REASON why there cannot be peace in Iran and the rest of the world......the people should demand it of their government."


Terry:
"Great article. It’s just a shame that, despite the ability for Iranians and Israelis to coexist peacefully, the narcissistic personalities of countries’ leadership creates so much ill-will and distrust. Also, we can’t underestimate the role of the U.S. in straining relations between Israel and the rest of the Middle East. As the U.S.’s closest ally, Arab’s and Iranians hold Israel accountable for America’s poor Middle East policies.
Thanks for writing something that presents the human side, instead of the usual propaganda we read."


Jeff:
"I agree with Terry " writing something that presents the human side, instead of the usual propaganda we read", is essential!
I would like to see this article translated to all relevant languages"


The Red Baron:
"It is very refreshing to hear two people from polar opposite sides of the proverbial fence showing how truly similar they are. I wish they would keep writing more pieces like this so that we can see over a bevy of issues that we are just different sides of the same coin... good work and God speed (which ever God you choose)"


Farbod, Iran/Canada:
"Iranians are no terrorist: there has been not one single Iranian arrested in relation to terrorism since Sept.2001. There have been many moslims from Saudi Arabia to Marocco, Pakistanis, Sudanis etc., even white Americans, Brits and Australian, but not one single Iranian. Take your time and reflect why this is the case. It`s not a statistical coincidence, Iranians just aren`t into terrorizing people; the recent and ancient history supports that. Don`t demonize these people."


Omer Husain:
"Refreshing to read this article and the response it has gotten by the readers.

We have to keep creating bridges and engage in constructive debate that rejects extremist absolute positions.

I`m sure we can argue with many details but
its a step forward and allows for a healthy exchange of ideas.

Peace."

The trend continues at JPost next...