Today was another good day. In the morning we met with Dan Singer co-author of Start Up Nation. He didn't really add anything more than what was in the book. I liked the book, so it was still nice to meet him. What was interesting though was how the book is being translated into many languages including Arabic, Korean, Indian, etc. There is an expectation of increased foreign capital in the country as a result. I guess it still is really about the economy, stupid. If anything, the demonstrations rocking the Arab street now are also demonstrative of this fact.
We also heard from many of the civil servants in Israel's MFA. Their insight into the work they do was fascinating. There was a discussion of the meeting that took place with President Obama in July 2009 about the question of "daylight" between US and Israeli positions. I was at that meeting and was able to clarify for people what was actually said, as Alan S. did so as well. The point of the diplomat was, however, it's "not what US says that matters, it's what others hear."
Bottom line for all, though, (and really for all Israeli leaders at the conference) is that there is only one way for the Palestinians to achieve independence and that's through direct negotiations with Israel. That's why it's important to write to the President now to express your concern over the resolution making its way in the Security Council. The administration's contemplation of not vetoing it could make Israel less willing to play ball; not to mention the domestic politics it might cause for Obama. Most importantly, it lets the Palestinians off the hook from direct negotiations and leads them to further conclude that they can achieve their aims by other means.
Next we traveled to Ariel in the Shomron or West Bank or Occupied Territories. Whatever you want to call it. Ariel is, according to its mayor "like a finger from the Mediterranean into Shomron." He was, of course referring to geography, as in the finger of the Galilee. I couldn't help but wonder considering its geography smack in the middle of the West Bank and what might be a future Palestinian State if he did not also mean a different type of finger?
We toured Ariel and I'm glad that I did. It's always good to have direct experience when discussing these difficult issues. Getting to see that it's a city and learning that it is not made up only of "settlers" but also Russians, students and others looking for a nice, inexpensive and close to Tel Aviv place to live was informative. What was not helpful, in my opinion, was the debate set up between the Mayor Ron Nahman and Daniel ben Simon. Dani is from Labor and represented the left. Ron the right. Frankly, I found both of them to be trite, simplistic and lacking content. I was really looking forward to a substantive debate. Oh well. Maybe next time.
The day ended at the Rabin Center. Believe it or not it was my first time. It is a wonderful place with a very nice museum that tells both the story of the state and the biography of Rabin. The two stories are interwoven in a very clever way including a timeline on the floor indicating important milestones in the world in general. That put everything in an important and relevant context. The highlight for me was being with a small group that included Dahlia Rabin. Did I get lucky by being in the right place at the right time!
Rabin: "Circumstance and national need dictated the path I followed for much of my life...ensuring Israels security."
Unfortunately, I had to leave early for the airport and missed the session with Neeman and others on Israel 15 Years After Rabin. I had really wanted to hear that.
The evening, and conference, ended with a tight squeeze. As our bus was pulling out the driveway we got stuck because of too many cars illegally parked creating too narrow a passageway. We tried moving one car (you should have seen that circus) and then another that we actually were able to move about a foot. Cory Schnider has a picture of me that when it hits Facebook will probably be an instant hit. And then it took three of us to direct the driver through the very tight space (which by the way is what Mitzrayim means -- the narrow place referring to the Nile). After 45 minutes we made it and raced to the airport.
Now it's time to board and sleep.
Thank goodness for Shabbat!
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