Speaking from my basic knowledge of the conflict, my ideas for future Arab-Israeli negotiations are that the solution should start from the people. Instead of politicians from the United States who have limited understanding of the area trying to put forth their ideas, I would rather see the negotiations being driven by people similar (or those people) to those that we have read from or talked about in class; cultural anthropologists, ethnographers, geographers, and historians. People such as Salim Tamari, Karen Armstrong and Naomi Chazan all had insightful analysis of the situation. These people have an in-depth understanding of the cultural and the area and they should initiate the peace talks. If these people could help each side of the conflict to understand their similarities and help them stop hating and discriminating, then we would be on our way. If the majority of the people in this area, both Palestinians and Israelis, could begin mixing and creating relationships with each other, then that would make a significant difference. Mutual respect and understand would help facilitate the process and create more peaceful negotiations.
Continuing with this idea, I echo what Naomi Chazan touched on: Jerusalem should be the first place for negotiations. If this city can show the world that many groups can peacefully coexist, not just live segregated, then it would become an important model for the rest of the area. Negotiations should begin in Jerusalem and continue throughout the rest of the region. Jerusalem should be a neutral zone with no one group governing. With that being said, there should be an attempt to mix the different populations and make sure that they live side by side.
The future negotiations cannot exclude politics of course. However, I would like to reaffirm that the politicians should center their views and shy away from extremism. They should take notes from the people and attempt to find the most peaceful solution possible. Easier said than done.
I definitely agree with your statement; my post was somewhat along the same lines. The resolution of this conflict has been hijacked by politicians pushing their own brand of "ideology"; there does not seem to be any understanding of a "larger picture".
ReplyDeleteI really do agree that politicians need to stay away from the extremes, where it seems many are heading now. I think the combination of the influences of these historians and anthropologists with the ideas of the politicians would be great.
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