Hey guys! For our class assignments, we have to write a response paper about some of the different lecture we attended or activities that we did. I figured since I am already writing them I might as well post them here as well so you all can follow what I am learning about or experiencing. I still plan on writing an overall cohesive wrap-up of this whole Israel experience. But this way, you can read shorter, more intensive tidbits for the time beaing. Each one is titled for the person who gave the lecture, the title of the lecture, or the site visited. Hope you enjoy!
Israeli History Lecture
Being a MESA major, I always hear about the Arab side of things. I guess that makes sense considering that Arabic is included in the name of the field of study. That being understood, most of the classes I have taken tend to swing heavily toward the Arab/Palestinian side of the conflict. We might cover the Israeli ideals in a day or two, but never enough to give it justice. Or to balance out the time spent studying the other side. It was refreshing to hear about the Israeli perspective and Israeli settlements on this trip for quite a while and to break down some of the prejudices and judgments that I had been unconsciously building up over the last few years. I can understand the Israeli struggle better now. They truly felt that they had to create their own country to protect themselves. They faced persecution on every side, and all of it led up to the mass execution that was the Holocaust. Fearing for their lives, families, culture, traditions, and religion, what other choice did they have? They were not receiving support from any particular side, so they set out to defend themselves in a logical fashion by creating a state just for them. After the world witnessed the atrocities of the concentration camps, they agreed to support the Jews in their goal for a state to make some amends for the dreadful harm that occurred. That ongoing fear of another Holocaust happening has truly played a large role in all Israeli policies and practices. They are doing everything they can to guarantee their security, and I can understand why. By having a strong, independent state, they can guarantee their own safety without have to turn to world superpowers to be rejected again and can offer refuge to those who are being persecuted in places around the world. That being said, Jews need to adapt to the reality of the current times. I do not think that the world would allow Israel to be destroyed anymore. They would step in and rescue it. Israel needs to relax a little bit and allow greater freedoms and qualities to all those that live within her borders.
Independence Hall Visit
Visiting the Independence Hall in Tel Aviv today was an interesting experience. Before we got there, I picture it in my mind to be a big, grandiose government building comparable to the one in D.C. or other countries. I was very surprised to see it was an old concrete house that did nothing to draw attention to itself. Stepping inside, I was expecting to have to go through metal detectors or some sort of security. But I was again surprised when there were almost no security measures. I finally began to understand when our guide started to speak and turned the movie on that this was not a tourist destination or an attempt to win over more supporters. It was a place to cultivate an already strong belief in the state of Israel or to educate youth about how the country came to be. The whole presentation was insightful for me because of the word choice that was used as well as the manner in which the information was presented. Everything was done on the foundation of the fact that Israel was always in the right. There was very little to no mention of the other side of the conflict’s views because in Israel’s mind they do not make any sense or do not exist. The purpose of the tour and presentation is to build up people’s fires and faith in the country and inspire them to go on and continue the cause, and I think it does a wonderful job at fulfilling its purpose. I did like how the room where the Declaration of Independence was announced was set up. It was made to resemble the original room with exactness complete with old microphones and the paintings for decoration on the wall. It made the whole visit seem more authentic. I also learned that the announcement of the Declaration was supposed to be a secret, with only about 350 people in attendance. However, word spread like a wildfire and there were thousands more crammed on the streets than that. I also gained a greater appreciation for what this means for Jews. Our guide said everything so matter-of-fact because he believed everything to be a fact. There was no room for political debate because he believed with his whole fiber that everything that he presented was true. I do not know if the other side and its reasoning had ever crept into his mind. If a lot of Jews think and believe like he does, it explains a lot about how the state of Israel acts and the policies that it implements.
Uzi Rabi Lecture
Uzi Rabi was a great lecturer who put the Arab Spring and its results in a whole new light from what I had previously considered. He brought up the fact that the United States and Israel and the Western world in general were using the Middle East in its 20th Century context as a means to solve the current conflicts, wars, and problems. They are not willing to adapt fully to what reality is actually occurring on the ground in the states of Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen. I have to say that I kind of agree with his analysis in this aspect. I feel like the United States is using the same tools and strategies that led to so many problems in the first place. We need to take a fresh approach and realize that putting everything back together just the way that it was may not be the best option for approach or even possible or likely to happen at this point. The four aforementioned states are divided at this point between so many actors and parties that stability might not come to the region for many years to come. I do not know that I agree with him on his analysis of the death of the nation state in the Middle East though. I still think that Jordan, Iran, the Gulf states, and Morocco show that Middle Eastern states still carry a sense of nationalism and meaning. Jordanians were still very proud to be Jordanian and made sure to mention that fact whenever I talked with them the past few months. I think in the examples of the failed states like Iraq or Syria, people are hesitant to identify with the state for the sake of the political implications as well as having a lack of faith in the state’s ability to provide for their needs and security. So they move to the next logical identifier that works for them, whether that be religion or ethnicity or something else entirely. People need an identity and a group to belong to. In the absence of a strong state, they move to the next viable option. I also liked his point about education being the key to unlocking the next generation’s capacity to resolve the conflicts and build relationships of understanding and eventually trust with one another. I have to agree that the best way to learn about a people, culture, or country is to actually go and live there for a while. Get to know the people in a personal way and the results will always surprise you. No studying of texts or eloquent debates will provide the learning of conversing with the people and getting to know them and the way that they perceive life. I believe it would greatly reduce conflicts around the world if this was a viable option in education systems. Sadly, I do not think it can be realistically applied. The cost is prohibitive on top of the fact that many parents would be unwilling to let their children go in fear of their safety or being brainwashed. I put more faith in people connecting through the internet and social media. Meeting people in this forum can lead to the same understanding and respect as doing it in person. As time goes on, I believe that communication will improve using these methods as well. I think that is the way to truly break down the barriers that is leading to the “clash of civilizations” that Uzi addressed this evening.
Israeli Settlements
Settlements are a way to increase the security of Israel. It puts people in the West Bank around the Palestinians and breaks up the Palestinian people from one another. By using the A, B, and C zones, Israel seems to be slowly handing over authority to those living in the West Bank. However, Israel never went through with upgrading the zones over the years that followed and the first and second intifadahs lead to greater mistrust and fear. Israel believes that it is looking out for its own interests by settling the West Bank because, in its mind, it is a part of the state and there should be no argument about it. They have every right to live there the same as the Palestinians. They also use the strategy of dividing up the A zones with C or B zones so that Palestinians have difficulty moving from one place to another. They do all these things to protect themselves from perceived threats as well as take back all the land that they see as historically and rightfully theirs. Jerusalem, Qumran, and other cities or sites have spiritual, religious, and historical value that the Jews wish to preserve and keep in their own state. That being said, it is in violation of the international agreements that they have made and somehow they need to start keeping them.
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