Monday, June 2, 2008

Dr. Klein- May 22, 2008 Video Conference

Some of the thoughts expressed by Dr. Klein in our conference:

-Demographic considerations have shaped Israeli policy in East Jerusalem since 1967.
-However, annexation actually increased Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem.

-Looking purely at numbers, Jerusalem is the only place where Israel has succeeded.
-There are currently only half a million settlers in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel had hoped for twice as many.

-Israel has an ethnically-based nationality
-The individual is not the basis of identity, the collective "we" (the Jewish
entity) is.

-Regarding the prospect of economic peacemaking, there is currently no enterprise between Jewish and Arab business owners.
-Arabs mainly work in service industries.

-"Palestinians don't have anything BUT terrorism to put pressure on Israel."

-Regarding the ability of grassroots peace building: "Peace between people will have to come after peace between governments or elites."

-Finally, regarding the role of America: Americans cannot force a peace treaty on both sides, but there needs to be an American mediator in the process.

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