But Hillel and SAS representatives said the separate vigils did not mean the communities were in conflict.
"The fact that there were two vigils indicates that we might have different stakes in what is currently going on in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and are affected by it differently," said Abu-Ayyash. "But the overarching consensus exists that we both hope and pray for peace in the Middle East."
Shabot said he regretted that the two groups could not agree on a joint vigil.
"I felt I was really disappointed," he said. "It was a waste of an opportunity."
But he said he was hopeful that future events would bring SAS and Hillel members together.
Sarah D. Beller '03, co-chair of the Harvard Hillel interethnic committee, agreed.
"I think it's unfortunate that the two groups couldn't come together on a certain political stance, which is somewhat understandable since it's such a politically tumultuous time," she said. "If we had a vigil and the theme was peace, it would be kind of empty because everyone wants peace but everyone has a different conception of peace."
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