Israeli-Palestinian relations, rooted in decades of religious and political violence, have become almost synonymous with the word “conflict.” Even here on campus, thousands of miles away from the sites of tension, few dare to bring up the issue, and those who associate with either side are rarely brought together. That is, until now.

Next week, J Street U Georgetown, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Georgetown Israel Alliance will co-sponsor a screening of “The Other Son,” a French film about a Palestinian and an Israeli switched at birth. Nov. 6 will mark the first time the SJP and the GIA — two groups with a history of tense relations, including picketing each other’s events — come together. Both groups were encouraged to collaborate by J Street, a student group revived on campus last year that supports a peaceful two-state solution to the ongoing conflict.

This step, though seemingly small, sends a powerful message of progress and acknowledges the importance of addressing the prejudices that can appear too ingrained to uproot. And while a campus movie night won’t have worldwide consequence, it could serve to correct the very real divides between the two student groups at Georgetown that few acknowledge exist and fewer address.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, much like other cross-cultural conflicts, is fueled not only by the lack of a viable solution but also by the propagation of stereotypes and intolerance of the other side that are passed down among generations and across countries. It’s encouraging to see that, at least at Georgetown, this ongoing cycle has a chance to change.