Day Three -- Press and Politicians

Today sessions in many ways were the most interesting.  The day began with a panel discussion of the view from the press corps of today's Israel.  Panelist were Aluf Benn, David Horovitz and Dana Weiss.  Each had a different view that challenged each other and the Conference and were challenged by their views.  It was a lively, and dare I say, civilized debate.  Dana said something that really resonated with me while discussing views on the changes in Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood.  She pointed out how important it is that we also look ourselves in the mirror and take note that in the Jewish state we have segregated buses where women sit in the front and men in the back, 30% of the population and political power is currently in the hands of the ultra religious and that population is not learning science and math, working nor serving in the IDF.  As I learned first hand last summer, and as we continue to advocate in opposition to the Rotem Conversion Bill, Israel is facing many challenges when it comes to religious expression in the State.  These issues have to be addressed, or who knows, we might wake up one day and find that we too have to take to the streets.

The day continued with a litany of other politicians including Vilnai Minister of Homefront, Lieberman and Peres. Peres was outstanding.  Like a fine wine he just keeps getting better and is truly Israel, if not the world's, elder statesman.  Highlights of his talk were:

• "Greatest gift of Jews to the world is dissatisfaction" leading Jews to great innovation, creativity and growth.
• "Whole story of Jewish people is morality under difficult circumstances."
• "This time it really is different.  A new chapter in the destiny of the Middle East."
• "Key to change in the 21st century is the change from an economy of land to science and technology...that requires education, openness and transparency."  

He also spoke about the new attack on Israel -- a diplomatic attack -- delegitimization.  The world  expects peace and expects Israel to conclude it with the Palestinians.  "We are in the right," he said, but "we have to adjust our policies and messaging" to confront this attack.

We also heard from Khalel Abu Toameh, Dore Gold, Dani Taub and Dekel about the state of relations between Israel and the PA and an inside view of the peace process.  Taub shared with us good news and bad news.  "The good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  The bad news is there is no tunnel."  He spoke about the four different models to negotiations, all of which have been deployed in these negotiations:

Oslo was about gradualism.  A Framework agreement on permanent conclusions.  This is a bottom line approach.  Sharon attempted unilateralism.  And the Roadmap which was a little of each.  A combination approach.  Negotiations he said have been like ground hog day -- where we prefer to repeat the mistakes of long ago.

Three take aways of the negotiation table:

• Have to return the center of gravity to the negotiation table.  Support the Palestinians, but only within the context of negotiations.  Have to move away from Palestinian unilateralism through the UN and delegitimization.
• Recent events require us to rethink peace agreements.  Agreements are an important tool, but success or failure depends on interests.  "Situations sometimes cannot reach agreement, but all situations can be improved."
• Have to look at who's at the table.  Peace HAS to filter down to society.

Often three negotiations at once: across the table between the sides, along the table among the teams and behind the table with the people.