Different Languages
Here's a powerful, tragic example of how people can be speaking different languages.
Most Westerners believe that the solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict lies in the "Two State Solution."
The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, also speaks about the desire for the Two State Solution.
Westerners therefore assume that the moderate, mainstream position in the Palestinian world is the same as theirs.
But what does the "Two State Solution" actually mean?
For Westerners, one of these states would be a Jewish State, primarily inhabited by Jews, but also with some Arab citizens - after all, it would be unthinkable to expel them. The other state would be a Palestinian State, primarily inhabited by Palestinians, but also with some Jewish citizens.
But when Palestinians speak about their desire for the "Two State Solution," they mean something else entirely, as Abbas made clear today. See this article in Ha'Aretz, in which aside from refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and insisting on the "right of return" for all Palestinians, he also refuses to accept "any Israeli presence, whether civilian or military, on the Palestinian territories."
So when Palestinians talk about a "Two State Solution," they mean one non-denominational state inhabited by Jews and Palestinians, and one Palestinian state inhabited solely by Palestinians.
I wish that every time a Westerner would talk about Palestinians who are interested in peace, this would be pointed out.