Israel/Palestine
Up-Close and Personal
- A 10 Day Travel Experience to Israel and the West Bank.
- Joining Together with 20 Boston Area Young Leaders Committed to a Two-State Solution.
- Learning Along Side Young Israeli and Palestinian Leaders and Activists.
- Hearing From Non-Governmnetal Groups (NGOs) Representing a Diverse Political Spectrum.
- Private Meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Government Officials.
- Reasonably Priced at $1500 (Includes major subsidies provided by our generous donors).
(If you are interested in helping to plan our innaugural trip in the spring of 2011, or if you are interested in participating - or both - please contact [email protected])
- Joining Together with 20 Boston Area Young Leaders Committed to a Two-State Solution.
- Learning Along Side Young Israeli and Palestinian Leaders and Activists.
- Hearing From Non-Governmnetal Groups (NGOs) Representing a Diverse Political Spectrum.
- Private Meetings with Israeli and Palestinian Government Officials.
- Reasonably Priced at $1500 (Includes major subsidies provided by our generous donors).
(If you are interested in helping to plan our innaugural trip in the spring of 2011, or if you are interested in participating - or both - please contact [email protected])
CONTENT NOTES:
While no topic will be too controversial for our meetings and debrief sessions, the context will always be one of understanding and not attack or blame. Applicants for this trip from each community will be screened intensively for their ability to commit to this basic principle and the groop itself will create a contract, in each language, to govern the nature of our interactions.
This process will be based on tried and true mediation practices. These methods will of course face their challenges and tempers will flare, but establishing a basis of trust and comradery at the beginning of the program will help us return from any "ledge" when harsh disagreements occur. Also, the framing of the question or the topic is incredibly important and will constantly be at the center of our approach at all times.
Sample Topics:
- Israel: Can it be a Democracy AND a "Jewish State"
Context 1 - What does it mean to be a culturally Jewish state in the eyes of Palestinians - and Americans?
Context 2 - Can Israel celebrate its Democratic nature and still acknowledge its challenge to protect minority groups adequately?
- Dual Claims to One Land
Context 1 - Do Americans and Israelis fully understand the Palestinian claim and aspiration to statehood and autonomy?
Context 2 - Do Americans and Palestinians fully understand the historic Jewish connection to the land?
Context 3 - Does everyone understand the way that connection drives the Jewish Diaspora and the Israeli mind-set?
Context 4 - How can the word "Occupation" be both offensive to many and yet resonate so strongly with others?
Context 5 - How can the term "Appartheid" be both offensive to many yet resonate so strongly with others?
- Productive Paths Toward a Two State Solution
Context 1 - What has been tentatively agreed to in the past?
Context 2 - What are the "concerns" of each group with the behavior of the others in the face of past agreements?
Context 3 - Does returning to History get us anywhere? When is it of value and when is it an obstacle?
Context 4 - What are perceptions or preconceived notions about each group that prevent progress?
Contect 5 - What is a language we can begin to use in our home communities to move the dialogue from "destructive" to "productive?"
While no topic will be too controversial for our meetings and debrief sessions, the context will always be one of understanding and not attack or blame. Applicants for this trip from each community will be screened intensively for their ability to commit to this basic principle and the groop itself will create a contract, in each language, to govern the nature of our interactions.
This process will be based on tried and true mediation practices. These methods will of course face their challenges and tempers will flare, but establishing a basis of trust and comradery at the beginning of the program will help us return from any "ledge" when harsh disagreements occur. Also, the framing of the question or the topic is incredibly important and will constantly be at the center of our approach at all times.
Sample Topics:
- Israel: Can it be a Democracy AND a "Jewish State"
Context 1 - What does it mean to be a culturally Jewish state in the eyes of Palestinians - and Americans?
Context 2 - Can Israel celebrate its Democratic nature and still acknowledge its challenge to protect minority groups adequately?
- Dual Claims to One Land
Context 1 - Do Americans and Israelis fully understand the Palestinian claim and aspiration to statehood and autonomy?
Context 2 - Do Americans and Palestinians fully understand the historic Jewish connection to the land?
Context 3 - Does everyone understand the way that connection drives the Jewish Diaspora and the Israeli mind-set?
Context 4 - How can the word "Occupation" be both offensive to many and yet resonate so strongly with others?
Context 5 - How can the term "Appartheid" be both offensive to many yet resonate so strongly with others?
- Productive Paths Toward a Two State Solution
Context 1 - What has been tentatively agreed to in the past?
Context 2 - What are the "concerns" of each group with the behavior of the others in the face of past agreements?
Context 3 - Does returning to History get us anywhere? When is it of value and when is it an obstacle?
Context 4 - What are perceptions or preconceived notions about each group that prevent progress?
Contect 5 - What is a language we can begin to use in our home communities to move the dialogue from "destructive" to "productive?"
