A Strategic Look at Tomorrow By Yoram Getzler. The fourth in the series begun by President Shimon Peres when he became President of Israel. The purpose; to bring some of the best and most creative thinkers in the world to Jerusalem to explore and describe to the public and each other their visions of the future. I was privileged to attend thanks to Steve Ornstein, founder and editor of IsraelSeen.com. Steve arranged for us to have press passes to the event, then found himself unable to attend.
The first event in the conference Tuesday late afternoon was an exception to an otherwise all around inspiring and exciting experience. First on the stage of the Jerusalem Convention Center was serial entrepreneur, Yossi Vardi, (one of the most original humans of our time), in conversation with Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Both of these people are amazing and exciting. With unusual approaches to their respective fields of interest. Mr. Vardi an initiator of over 70 innovative high-tech initiatives, Dr. Westheimer a well known personality in the field of sex education and advise. But together…they had surprisingly little of interest to talk about. Well no one hits 100! (although Dr. Ruth is well on her way)
The next morning, while still at home, I was able to hear and see on the internet the morning
First full Day – Plenary Session: A Strategic Look at Tomorrow. view the video @ (http://www.presidentconf.org.
The session began with the past Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army, Lt. General Gabi Ashkenezi. I found some of his remarks intreging and significant. He noted that no one had seen the Egyptian economic/social/political revolution coming. Just three months previously the former head of Egyptian security Sulaman was in Israel discussing the then current main concern about Egypt. Who would Mubarik choose be the next president after the next elections. A popular assumption was that his son would inheret the office. Even on the day of the first demonstrations the Egyptian Chief-of-Staff was in the US.
The next speaker was Ms. Ayaan Hirsi-Ali: (who begins talking at + 20 minutes in the above video) She is an author and researcher, a daughter of Somalia who grew up in Mecca as well as Nairobi and Ethiopia, then “escaped” to Holland where she was a member of the Parliament. She now lives in the US. I was grateful for the opportunity to see and hear Ms.Ali. I felt truly informed by her. She explained some of the issues which impede the Arab / Muslim world from interacting with the rest of the world in a beneficial and progressive way. She highlighted three elements. First; was complete obedience to authority; at home; at school, work and in the national context. The Father, The Teacher, The Boss, The King or President. There are no questions. Any questioning of those authorities brings swift punishment. Second inhibiting issue; All answers can be found in the Koran. And third; the outlook that says compromise is defeat, to compromise is to be shamed, to loose face. Ms. Ali understands that these are behaviors that are foreign to the modern western mind and way of life. Too many westerners can not cope intelligently with these elements and therefore tend to actively ignore their influence in the discourse between the cultures.
The presentations continued with Ambassador Dennis Ross (@29:00min on the above video)
. He emphasized that it is in our (US&UN) interest to clearly inform the Muslim Brotherhood that what they really need to be doing is building the Egyptian state, and realize they need outside help But if they want our (US/European)) help, they will have to abide by international rules and norms– including for example, keeping international agreements (the peace between Israel and Egypt), and guarantee freedom to minorities and woman. After noting that PM Netanyahu recently spoke publicly about a bi-national state being unacceptable Ross returned to the two-states-for-two-peoples idea. He felt that the main issue to be addressed at the present time between Israel and the Palestinians was stimulating belief in the “two-states-for two-peoples” solution. He suggested several policy moves each side could make to help the other return to working towards that goal. For Israel he suggested:a) Freeze on building outside of the “settlement blocks” b) a government offer to compensate financially Israelis ready and willing to leave the areas of Judea & Smaria. c) begin immediately to build their homes west of the green line, now. d) allow greater Palestinian economic activity in Israeli controlled area “A”. e) allow more Palestinian police in area “B”
To the Palestinians he suggested: a) put Israel on all maps including in the educational system b) clearly state that the two-states are for two-peoples. c) end all incitement including glorification of those who kill Israelis (martyrs). d) prepare the people for hard and difficult decisions choices and compromises. e) build housing in refugee camps. f) build the institutions of your (Palestinian) state. It seems to me, and I think the audience in general that all these ideas sounded wonderful, but had little chance of being adopted by either side.
I had to leave the event before the last speaker, Mr. Leon Wieseltier spoke. (His presentation is @ 52 min on the video)
NOTE a main stumbling block: So far the Palestinians are unwilling and or unable to utter the last three words of the phrase, (…for-two-peoples)
Next I attended the session The Tomorrow’s Borders of Israel . Will be part 2
