From Kaf-Tet to Shloshim

Activity # 3: Discussion

Aims:

Situate the territorial debate in the current context and realities of Israeli political life, initial exploration of other currently controversial issues, develop awareness of Diaspora Jewry potential in the debate.

Preparation:

Background articles in several copies.

Part One:

[To be used if the previous simulation was not reviewed...]

1. What are the similarities and differences of attitude between the real Israeli parties and people surveyed in our community?
2. What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the situation in 1947 and the situation today?
3. What are Israel's chances of peace without major territorial concessions?
4. Are there any other options you would recommend?

Part Two:

Use the background articles, which you can give to participants in groups, so that everyone reads one or two articles only.

1. Do Israelis and Israeli political parties have full exercise of the right to free speech?
2. What is this right and what is its limit? Do you find the arguments before you tolerant or intolerant? What does this tell you?
3. Newsflash:
   The Israeli government has appointed an external person, Rabbi Amital as Minister without Portfolio, particularly to encourage dialogue between sectors of Israeli society. He is the head of the Har Etzion yeshiva at Alon Shvut in the Etzion Bloc.
   He is known for his moderate views on territorial compromise in the national religious camp. He is one of the founders of the dovish religious "Oz Veshalom" and "Netivot Shalom" movements, which led to the creation of the Meimad party in 1988 [now defunct].
   [You can find his reaction to the territorial issue in our August gopher section on the Rabbis' ruling on evacuation of IDF bases.]
   
4. Is there going to be greater unity or greater division/ polarization in Israeli society in the future?

Part Three:

How does that affect Jews in Diaspora communities; how does that affect the way we relate to Israel?