Let's talk about: the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis

I have been in Tel Aviv for about a month. Here are some of the things you don't hear in the media:

Most Israelis, it seems in the short time we have been here, when the subject comes up, which it does a lot, at a café, have very reasonable views on the subject. They don't express any negativity towards Arabs or the Palestinians. They say that they believe Arafat is not a good leader. They feel very badly for the Palestinians. They also say they don't think the government is doing a good job of handling the situation.

Frankly I thought I would find more deep-seated racism. I guess I was expecting something like what I remember from the history of American or Asian racism “Irish need not apply.” “No Coloreds allowed.” “No Chinese or Dogs Allowed. “ I may still find it, I just have not found it yet.

On one of the recent holidays Bob and I walked from our apartment in central Tel Aviv to Jaffa. We walked along the beach. There were Arab-Israelis families next to Jewish-Israeli families. Not much contact but certainly no problems.

We had dinner with people from the Welfare ministry. One of them supports Israeli-Palestinian youth discussion groups throughout Israel. Another group, an environmental NGO, has an Muslim working with them, and has Israeli and Arab youth groups doing water conservation.

We are not allowed to go to the West Bank or Gaza. I know there is a lot of poverty there. I know some of the Palestinians have had enough of Arafat and want reform in the Palestinian Authority.

I know there are many articles in Ha'aretz, a great English language newspaper, condemning the Israeli Defense Forces attacks. Today, in fact, there is a long article about David Zonsheine, the leader of the Courage to Refuse movement. He is a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize to be announced October 8. I find it remarkable in a country that respects its army as much as Israel does, that such an article would
get on the front page of a major newspaper.

Of course this is the first month and this is a very complex problem. It is easy to live in Tel Aviv and have no idea (except the daily reports of killing (one side or the other) of what is happening only 50 miles away. You cannot hear the bombs drop, the helicopter firings, the destruction of homes, the ambulances, the weeping or see the carnage, living here in Tel Aviv.

There are many things I cannot see because I am too new. But I have my ears opened and will give you an update from time to time. Gaza is set for disengagement at the end of 2005 so it is an interesting time to be here.

Dialogue Skills:
On Dialogue concerning Religions
Difference can mean diversity. Similarities provide a basis for cooperation, but we must also be aware of our differences, and be ready to respect each religions role and strengths. Then we will find ways we can each contribute to the world. Global Civilization, p25

Outreach:
Outreach can mean respecting the resources of your host country's environment. In Israel, like so many other countries, water is getting scarcer.
There are other pollutants of course. We can create a better image as Americans if we are sensitive to the sustainable development of our host country. I was very happy to see that the wife of the US Ambassador here in Israel is a great example of this. When she arrived in Tel Aviv Israel had been suffering from a drought for many years. And water resources are always a serious concern here. She converted her decorative garden space into a desert landscape to reduce the need for watering.

Another spouse here is helping by reducing the overall consumption of water in her home. She is careful how she washes her dishes, reduces shower time,and
teaches her children good water manners as well.

Etiquette:
You are the Gift
We are just beginning to find our way amongst the people of the Middle East. We have not met many Palestinians or Arab-Israelis but we have been taught that here in the Middle East, you are the gift you bring into the home of an Arab. What a wonderful thought! When you do bring something for the occasion it is appreciated but not as much as you are. It leaves me with the fear that maybe, I am not a good enough guest!

So many times I think of etiquette in terms of gift-giving, thank you letters, and entertaining. It is hard to remember that is it really about your behavior as a human being. I hope when I leave my host that they are happy I came and that they felt I was a good representative of the USA.

Good Idea:
Israel has a Israeli Action Center which is an NGO attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It invites diplomats to dine in the homes of Israelis on holidays. It was created because of all of the bad image Israelis have of being unfeeling, human rights abusers. We knew this but we were anxious to meet Israelis and so signed up for Rosh Hashanna lunch.

Our hosts lived east of Natanya, about a half hours drive north from Tel Aviv. They are a family of five and invited a brother-in-law. We had a wonderful time. The wife is a teacher and the husband is a technical writer and have three children. By the time the food and ceremony were over, we had great conversations about many things. There was no attempt to persuade us to a particular Israeli viewpoint. Only two families communicating about how to live wisely and sharing cultural riches.