Memorial Day

This evening the class attended a service held in honor of Memorial Day. I didn't understand a lot of the service (as it was in Hebrew) but the point definitely struck home. A slideshow played showing the names and faces of all the soldiers and civilians who have died in combat and terrorist attacks. Various choirs sang, and wreaths were presented to families. An interesting fact: here, Memorial Day is the day before Independence Day. I really like the proximity; the mourning is still in the back of your mind as you celebrate independence, and we can't help but remember those we've lost. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It's going to be very interesting to see the contrast between Independence Day here and in the USA.

A young Jewish man on the plane warned me to "Watch out for the Arabs"

Is it sensationalist, racist stereotyping? or is it a valid generalization?

Today my core studies teacher told us that there is no such thing as an objective Israeli. I think this applies to all people, regardless of race. Although it makes everything we do biased, that bias makes us human. Everything that happens around us stays with us. Our prior experiences form our opinions, create our perspective and are the driving force when we make decisions. I will try to keep an open mind here, and try to get as many sides of the story as possible.

Senior Project Proposal

Objective:

Current events in the Middle East are undeniably sectarian, and even more so in the religious capitol of three of the largest religions on Earth. Amid escalating violence between Palestinian Nationalists and Zionists, everybody is searching for a solution. My senior project will examine the relationship between these groups extending back to 1897 (the date of the formation of the World Zionist Organization). I will explore the causes for the creation of an Israeli state, and the opposition to the Zionist movement, and the reaction and backlash of the inhabitants of the region. I will study the tried and failed experiments for peace, and the efforts on both sides to live in harmony. The flip side of this is the groups that do not want peace, and I will study them too. I will compile my research, photos, videos and interviews into a web log (blog) and later, a magazine. 

Why I have chosen this for significant study:

When i was 8 years old I converted to Judaism with my brother and father.  For years after that I attended synagogue and a Jewish Day School, finally culminating at my Bar Mitzvah (a coming of age ceremony).  After the ceremony, I began to drift away from Judaism.  This was mostly fueled by the attitude I noticed towards other cultures.  The Jews I knew were strongly anti-Palestinian, mostly due to the suicide bombers.  I didn't understand how the "Chosen People" could undergo so much oppression but still be so blind to the struggle of their neighbors.  I have recently been offered the opportunity to travel to Israel and study the history of Judaism and Israel.  I found in this trip an unequaled opportunity to get a fresh perspective on Zionism and the struggle for a Palestinian homeland.  I will fully utilize my teachers, classmates and the residents of Israel to form as balanced an opinion as possible.  Through interviews, extensive research and photo-journaling, I will formulate an  in-depth idea of how violence has shaped the Holy Land, and what the most realistic plan for peace is.

Committee Members

1. Bart Berlin
2. Linda Stowman
3. Anni Bowers
4. Ray Devlin
5. Lauren Leith
6. Brett Campbell

What experts and resources I will use?

1. Bennis, Phyllis. Inside Israel-Palestine: The Conflict Explained. Cornwall: New Internationalist Publications Ltd, 2007.
2. Cohn-Sherbok, Dan, and Dawoud El-Alami. The Palestine-Israeli Conflict: A Beginner's Guide. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2001.
3. Galnoor, Itzhak. The Partition of Palestine: Decision Crossroads in the Zionist Movement. Albany: University of New York P, 1995. NetLibrary. Saint Paul Public Library. .
4. Gelvin, James L. The Israel-Palestine Conflict One Hundred Years of War. New York: Cambridge UP, 2007.
5. Kawar, Amal. Daughters of Palestine: Leading Women of the Palestinian National Movement. Albany: University of New York, 1996. NetLibrary. Saint Paul Public Library. .
6. Lerner, Michael. Healing Israel/Palestine A Path to Peace and Reconciliation. New York: North Atlantic Books, 2003.
7. Morris, Benny. One State, Two States: Resolving the Israel/Palestine Conflict. Yale UP, 2009.
8. Oz, Amos. Israel, Palestine, and Peace: Essays. New York: Harvest Books, 1995.
9. Reinhart, Tanya. Israel/Palestine how to end the War of 1948. New York: Seven Stories P, 2005.
10. "Arab-Israeli Conflict." Historyteacher.net. .
11. "Israel, the Conflict and Peace: Answers to frequently asked questions." Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. .
12. Isseroff, Ami. "Israel and Palestine: A Brief History." Mideast Web. .
13. "Research Guide to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict." Robin Miller, a progressive freelance writer. .
14. US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation�:�Index. .

Questions I will ask:

1.What are the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? 
2.How have other countries played a role in the formation of a Jewish state? 
3.What was the Palestinian (and world) reaction to the creation of Israel in 1948? 
4.How have Palestinians and Palestinian movements worked toward peace? 
5.How have Israelis worked toward peace? 
6.How have both groups prevented peace? 
7.What steps to peace in Israel have been taken so far? 
8.What is a realistic plan for peace? 
9.Is a two-state solution the best idea? 
10.How does the Israeli political process prevent or facilitate Palestinian involvement? 
11.What organizations play key roles in the conflict? 
12.What steps have past Prime Ministers taken towards peace? 
13.What is the current Prime Minister doing to facilitate peace?