David was a good Jewish man: faithful to his God; devoted to his family, and deeply connected to his land.

Khalid was a good Palestinian man: faithful to his God; devoted to his family, and deeply connected to his land.

Each year, in early spring, David and Khalid would meet for a chat at a small cafe. It always began with a respectful, silent handshake. Then, after a kindly nod towards the waiter, the pair would sit down.

More silence would follow, usually a couple of minutes at most, until their coffee and sweet biscuits arrived. Then, without any small talk, off they went as they had done for 34 years:

Said the Jew: I think its important we are allowed to state our case.

Said the Palestinian: I think its important we are allowed to state our case.

Said the Jew: This is rightfully our land.

Said the Palestinian: This is rightfully our land.

Said the Jew: We are victims of your aggression.

Said the Palestinian: We are victims of your aggression.

Said the Jew: We will fight til the bitter end.

Said the Palestinian: We will fight til the bitter end.

Said the Jew: You killed my family.

Said the Palestinian: You killed my family

Said the Jew: We are a brutalised and traumatised people.

Said the Palestinian: We are a brutalised and traumatised people.

Said the Jew: You hate us.

Said the Palestinian: You hate us.

Said the Jew: There can be no peace til you change your ways.

Said the Palestinian: There can be no peace til you change your ways.

Said the Jew: Look, this is our land.

Said the Palestinian: Look, this is our land.

Said the Jew: Mmm, a nice coffee. Give my regards to your family. See you next year.

Said the Palestinian: Mmm, a nice coffee. Give my regards to your family. See you next year.

The conversation continues

Fr Peter Day is the Parish Priest at Corpus Christi, Canberra.