Questions for our Afghan peers

1. How has the presence of the US military in your country affected you/your friends/your family, and what would you change about the US occupation if you could?

2. What are the main problems that you face on an everyday basis in Afghanistan? What are some of the first steps that you would take to improve these conditions?

Questions for our Afghan Peers

1. As Afghans what are your connections to Jerusalem? Additionally are there places in Afghanistan that are of equal or of similar importance to you?
2. What stereotypes do outsiders cast upon Afghanistan and its people? How can you combat those stereotypes?

Questions for Afghan Students

1) How has an American military presence in Afghanistan affected your everyday life?

2) I think the general "Western" perception of Afghanistan isn't that great. If you could share some things about your country/culture that combat that notion, what would they be?

Questions for Students

1. What is one thing you wish the western world took the time to understand about your culture?
2. What is one of your favorite traditions rooted in the culture of Afghanistan?
3. How has the occupation shaped your life? Has it? 

Questions for Speakers

1. What are the most important challenges you see facing your country in the next 20 years?
2.  How did the American occupation of Afghanistan affect your life?
3. What do you hope to do in the future?
4. What are some common misconceptions about Afghanistan, and how would you address them?

Questions for Afghan Students

1. In what ways do you feel that you have learned about life outside of Afghanistan through musical studies?

2. For any females in the class, what is every day life like as a woman in Afghanistan? (Sorry I know this is broad, but I really wanted to ask!)

Two Events at the Mershon Center

There are two upcoming events at the Mershon Center that I thought you might be interested in attending.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Business for Peace Collaborative

"USIP Public Education for Peacebuilding Support Program"

4:30 p.m., 120 Mershon Center, 1501 Neil Ave.

WOSU's Ann Fisher will lead a discussion on how economic development and business affects peace, and how peace building and end of conflicts impact regional development, rule of law, and economic growth. Organized by Mershon affiliates Esther Gottlieband John Carlarne, the panel will be introduced by David Manderscheid, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and include Patrice McMahon, associate professor of political science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher Gelpi, Chair of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the Mershon Center; Yoram Haftel, associate professor of international relations at Hebrew University in Jerusalem; andMason Foster Ye, an undergraduate business scholar at Ohio State. This event is underwritten by the U.S. Institute of Peace Public Education for Peacebuilding Support Initiative.  Read more and register at go.osu.edu/businesspeace

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Eitan Alimi

"The Relational Context of Radicalization: The Case of Jewish Settler Contention before and after the Gaza Pullout"

Noon, 120 Mershon Center, 1501 Neil Ave.

Eitan Alimi is senior lecturer in political sociology at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His book Israeli Politics and the First Palestinian Intifada (Routledge, 2007) was awarded the 2008 best English book on Israeli Politics by the Israeli Political Science Association. A book on radicalization and de-radicalization in the case of the Jewish settler movement has recently come out (Resling, 2013), and a co-authored book on processes of radicalization in comparative perspective is under contract with Oxford University Press. He will discuss why some social movements experience radicalization while others do not, compairing of two episodes of Jewish settler contention. Read more at go.osu.edu/alimie

Questions

1. Do you believe it's possible to classify or order the issues faced by Israel, Palestine, and both countries?

2. If so, what comes first? Last? In the middle?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1. Can reminding the world, somehow, that Jerusalem is a city where people live and work and go to school help to disassociate it with holiness and protection/possession and therefore create the space in peoples' minds to conceptualize Jerusalem as a place that cannot/should not be dominated and possessed by one "correct" group of people but rather enjoyed by all?
2. Which is more important to liberate first from the desire to control and possess; women or land? Why?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1. We read a piece on the struggles that Palestinian women have in Israel. Having worked with both Palestinian and Israeli women on feminist issues, what are the different struggles that you see both groups dealing with?

2. Do you think the struggles that Palestinian women have in Israel are a result of their gender, their ethnicity, or both?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1. Has the mission of the Living Jerusalem project evolved? If so how has it changed over time and what is it's mission today?
2. What language can we begin to associated or use for Jerusalem to help people understand its not only a religious center, but a center of everyday life as well?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1. Are feminist ideologies taught in schools prior to university? How extensive is the focus on feminist discourse? 
2. Do you find the diversity of Jerusalem to be more or less conducive to the development of feminist dialogue? Or, do you feel that conflict and tension between various factions diminishes the role of feminist dialogue in daily conversation and educational research?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1) Do you see women's rights movements and struggles as comparable to those of the LGBTQ community? Do you see overlap between the two?

2) Do you think issues/conflicts based on race, religion, etc. must be "solved" before women's rights will be addressed? Are they on separate tiers so to speak?

Questions for Galit Hasan-Rokem

1) Can you tell us more about Jerusalem Link and your involvement in the project?
2) Why did you decide to become involved in the peace and feminist movements in Israel?

Suad Amiry at TEDxRamallah

Here's a clip from her TEDxRamallah talk--it includes the story of Nura the puppy.

Questions for Ahmed

1. Do you see the impacts of the conflict in your every day life?

2. How do you feel about the US support of Israel and involvement in negotiations? How do Palestinians seem to feel in general about this?

Questions

1. How has the conflict affected your schooling and the opportunities, both directly and indirectly?
2. What is your favorite thing about Jerusalem, tangible or otherwise?

Questions for 3/4/2014

1. What do you wish Israeli's new about Palestinians that you often feel gets lost in the media and negotiations?
2. Do you think America is the right country to be leading the push for negotiations? Why yes or why no?

Questions for Ahmed

1. What are some important factors in this conflict that Westerners (Americans in particular) just do not understand?

2. How does the conflict affect your personal, everyday life?

Questions for Ahmed

1) As a Palestinian student living and experiencing Jerusalem (arguably the heart of the conflict) first-hand, what do you see as the most plausible resolution to the conflict? Two-state solution? Assimilation of one side into the other? 

2) Along the same lines (and speaking optimistically of course) if the occupation were to end tomorrow, what would the scene in Jerusalem look like?

Questions for Ahmed

1) How has the Occupation affected your schooling?
2) What are some of the issues facing the education systems in Israel/Palestine?
3) Do you think Israeli and Palestinian school curricula demonize the "other"?

Questions for Ahmed

1. Do you have any favorite school traditions? 
2. What do you feel your teachers and administrators focus on the most in regards to student education? 
3. How is higher education (university, vocational training) viewed by different communities?  

Questions

1. Do you see a more accepting environment emerging among very religious populations along with the more modern trend of society becoming more and more accepting of the LGBTQ population? Does this differ between Muslims and Jews?
2. Is there any particular way that is most effective when appealing to very religious people that causes them to be generally more liberal regarding LGBTQ issues? Does this differ between Muslims and Jews?

Questions for Jerusalem Open House

1. There are many ultra-Orthodox men and women who may be closeted homosexuals, is there a safe environment in Jerusalem, or in all of Israel for that matter for them to come out and remain members of their religious groups?
2. Are there any existing laws in Israel that protect minority groups like homosexuals, or African refugees? 

Questions for Jerusalem Open House

1) What are the biggest issues facing Jerusalem/Israel's LGBT community today?
2) Does your work touch on Muslim/Palestinian LGBT individuals?

Questions for Jerusalem Open House

1. Will Jerusalem's location (as a city within the Middle East) affect the level of tolerance which can be demonstrated through the revision of law?
2. Who do you find your audience to generally be? Is there one sub-group within Jerusalem that is more receptive to your message than most?

Questions for JOH

In your opinion, when will Israel's laws be amended to recognize same sex marriage?

What is the biggest obstacle your organization faces to effectively advocating for your constituency?

Questions for Jerusalem Open House

1. In city rife with divisions, what do you see as the biggest hurdle to be crossed before the LGBTQ is fully accepted?

2. How does Jerusalem's place as a deeply religious place for three major faiths affect the opinions of the local people about the LGBTQ community?

Questions for Open House

1) With Israel being a religious state, what is your biggest obstacle in overcoming the divide between religion and LGBTQ acceptance?

2) I think it’s often easy for those that identify as LGBTQ to shy away from religion given the non-acceptance religion presents. In what ways do you see those who identify as LGBTQ embrace religion regardless of its condemnation of them as individuals?

Questions for Jerusalem Open House

1. What do you see as the future of the LGBTQ movement in Israel and Palestine in countries with such strong religious ties?

2. Do you see daily discrimination against the LGBTQ community within Jerusalem, or are most people accepting/tolerant?

Questions for Shabbat of a Lifetime

1. What is the experience for the guest and host when the guest is not Jewish? Have you ever had Palestinian or Arab guests?

2. When celebrating the sabbath with tourists, what is the most influential or memorable moment for both parties?

Questions for Speakers from Shabbat of a Lifetime

1. What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of this program? 
2. Does Shabbat of a lifetime attract mostly those guests who are familiar, at least to some extent, with the tradition of Shabbat, or do you find that a majority of the participants are coming to be educated?

Questions for Shabbat of a Lifetime

1. Have any Jews criticized or questioned your intent/purpose with this program? Does anyone feel misrepresented, wrongfully monetized, spoken for, etc?

2. Beyond exposure to Jewish life and cultural immersion in something very foreign to most non-Jews, what is your purpose with this program? Is there a political side to it or is it mostly cultural?

3. How do you see cultural diplomacy tying in with political diplomacy?

Questions for Shabbat of a Lifetime

1. Who has been your most interesting shabbat guest, and what made the evening so interesting?
2. Shabbat in Jerusalem is a unique and moving experience for me as a Jew, yet I struggle to find the same connection to shabbat outside of the holy city. What is it about Jerusalem that makes the Holy Sabbath, even holier?

Questions for Shabbat of a Lifetime

1) What is the most prominent demographic group that participates in your dinners?
2) What brought the people listed in your "meet our team" page together with this idea? In broad terms, what identity group of Jerusalem would you say they represent?

Questions for Shabbat of a Lifetime

1. Have your dinners been able to bridge any gaps within the conflict between Israel and Palestine in creating a forum for dialogue and understanding?

2. Have you ever encountered hostility from guests for political reasons?

Questions for Nathanel Cohen

1) With over 4500 guests from 44 countries having entered your homes, surely there have been some dynamic cultural differences/barriers/(mis)understandings. Do you personally have an vivid memories of dinners that were extremely successful or not as successful?

2) How do you think being located in Jerusalem enhances the experience for your guests?

"Promises" Documentary

Hey everyone! I found a copy of "Promises," the documentary about Israeli and Palestinian children that we talked about today in class. I think it's too big to post on the blog (plus that would probably be a copyright issue), so if you'd like a copy, comment here with your email address (Gmail please! I have to upload it to Google Drive because of the file size) and I'll send it to you!

Rachel

Museum on the Seam Questions

1. Which exhibit do you believe has had the most profound impact on the public? Are there any exhibits that you have considered removing due to a negative impact?
2. Do your advertisements/propaganda for the exhibits change based on your audiences, or do all groups of people see the same exhibits (explained and described in the same manner)                                                                                     *I'm so sorry these are late!

Questions for Museum On The Seam

1. What goes into choosing the wording of captions of items on display at the museum?
2. How do you believe art can help heal the wounds that exist between Jewish and Arab populations of Jerusalem 

Museum on the Seam questions

1. Do people have difficulties connecting or relating to your exhibits? How so? How is each one made accessible to people who may otherwise be closed to the statements that the exhibits are trying to make?

2. How have peoples' reactions to the exhibits changed over time with the ebb and flow of violence between Israelis and Palestinians?

Questions

1. Has there been any resistance to the work of the Museum?

2. As a place where controversial issues are omnipresent, how do you tread the line between thought-provoking and offensive?

Questions for Museum on the Seam Staff

1) In what ways do you think the Museum's exhibitions have changed public perceptions/discussions on issues related to human rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

2) What is the most represented demographic among visitors to the museum? Young students, or older adults? Why do you think this is?

Questions for Museum on the Seam Staff

1. Have your efforts to focus on the similarities among those who live within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict manifested itself in any kind of social change outside of the museum, or are your efforts strictly focused on exhibitions?

2. It says that you used to have a permanent exhibition on the reunification of Jerusalem. What do you/the museum as a whole foresee as the future for Jerusalem in terms of reunification?

Questions for Museum On The Seam Staff

1) How does the museum's location as both a former home and later army outpost aid in raising controversial social issues for public discussion?

2) What is the von Holtzbrinck family’s connection to the museum? Why do they continue to support the museum?

Questions for Dr. Nassar

1. How can we use media nowadays to change perceptions around the conflict and create an environment culturally and politically that is more conducive to peace?

2. What was one time in your studies when your thoughts/beliefs were seriously challenged by a photograph? How did you explore that challenge to your convictions?

Questions for Dr. Nassar

1. Can you please elaborate on what inspired Western travel to Jerusalem during the 19th century?
2. In your article The Biblification of Jerusalem you discuss how the United Kingdom supported the Jewish community's return to zion because their Anglican church did not have a foothold there. Can you please explain this more?

Questions for Dr. Nassar

1. The following is a quote from your essay that struck me and I was wondering if you could elaborate more on the impact that the early images of Jerusalem (and lack of focusing on its inhabitants) had on Zionism: "This ‘amazing ability to discover the land without discovering the people’, to use the words of Beshara Doumani, may very well have paved the way for the emergence of the popular mythical image of Palestine as a land without a people, which became a slogan of the Zionist movement half a century later."

2. How did the early images of Jerusalem and Palestine in general encourage the expansion of colonialism in that area, if at all?

Questions for Dr. Nassar

1) How do you see contemporary photos of the conflict publicized in western media contributing to the progress (or lack thereof) of obtaining understanding for Israelis and Palestinians as human beings, rather than simply actors in a long-term conflict?
2) How far do you believe photography can go as a tool for understanding? What determines the limitations of knowledge one can obtain from viewing a series of photos?

Questions for Dr. Issam Nassar

1. Is there still a significant demand today for photographs that support a Christian perspective of Jerusalem?

2. To what extent, if any, is the lack of human subjects in 19th century photographs of Jerusalem explained by the fact that inanimate objects were easier to photograph back since exposure times were relatively long, requiring human subjects to sit still for a long enough time to produce a clear image?

Questions

1. Do you think that the Western media today continues to paint an inaccurate picture of Jerusalem as European photographers did in the nineteenth century?

2. Is the image of a "Biblified" Jerusalem still present in the minds of Westerns today?

Questions for Dr. Issam Nassar

1) Were there any attempts by the Palestinian people to counter the depictions of them and their city? For instance, were there any prominent Palestinian photographers who tried to construct a different narrative of the city? Or were Palestinians not aware of this "Biblification" of Jerusalem?

2) You wrote in your piece that "the photograph is a tool of power and authority by which both the photographer and the viewer through their gaze conquer the world of the subject and assign meanings to it." How do you see this playing out with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Questions for Dr. Issam Nassar

1) I think Jerusalem is all too often pictured as a location with religious significance rather than a home to its ~800,000 inhabitants. Do you think the city every has the chance to overcome this image/fascination?

2) On the same note, do you think Jerusalem is viewed as a global city or is it viewed as more of a "second-class" city?

Final Project

My initial idea for my final project is to research street art and graffiti in Jerusalem. I will try to present y research in either a powerpoint or prezi presentation.

Questions for Betty Herschman

1) Given your background in advocacy, which forms of communication do you feel are most effective in combating the prejudice and misunderstandings surrounding the conflict?
2) What do you believe the first step to peace is? Does it begin with a compromise from both sides--can it begin with the efforts of one side? Will that be sufficient foundation for peace talks?
3) Recently in class, we have discussed public perception (in Jerusalem) of John Kerry. Can you discuss how you believe Kerry's efforts have or have not made a difference on the road to peace?

Betty Herschmann

1. For those of us interested in small-scale conflict resolution, relationship-building, and diplomacy (for example, on a college campus), what advice can you offer in terms of knowing where and how to devote resources of time and energy? I am in the position of being a Jewish, pro-Israel, Zionist-identifying student, but I am appalled at the current state of Israeli politics (settlements, etc). I am part of on-campus efforts to bridge communication gaps between pro-Israel students and pro-Palestinian students, but it is incredibly difficult to facilitate conversation when the word "apartheid" is attached permanently to the word "Israel"--when people are adamant about this affiliation and refuse to discuss, what more can we do? What are the most effective ways I can advocate for the existence of Israel while acknowledging that serious change in Israeli policy is needed?

2. What specific programs do you suggest getting involved with (for a summer volunteer internship or immediately post-graduation) in order to gain experience in this sort of conflict resolution? שלום עכשיו, Seeds of Peace, בצלם, etc?

Questions for Betty Herschman

1. What is one of the most notable achievements that Ir Amim  has accomplished?

2. From your encounters as Director of International Relations and Advocacy for Ir Amim, do you often see that Palestinians have different wishes to solve this conflict than the Israelis? Or do they all share the same wish, perhaps to live in peace among one another? 

Questions

1. What has been the most successful project of Ir Amim to date? What made it successful? What does it tell us about future projects for Ir Amim and future steps towards peace?

2. As Director of International Relations & Advocacy, how do your experience with those not from Jerusalem differ with those of the residents?

Questions for Betty Herschman

1. What socioeconomic institutions has Ir Amim been able to help successfully create in Jerusalem? Also please elaborate on other economic development projects in East Jerusalem.
2. Some argue that under  Western Israeli rule the Old City has lost much of it's prominence. Do you believe this is the case? What can be done to rewaken the Old City? 

Questions for Betty Herschman

1. Do you think a divided Jerusalem or a united Jerusalem, under one government, would be more more conducive to peace?

2. Depending on your answer to the previous question, what is the likelihood of there ever being an agreement on who should govern a united Jerusalem? If you think a divided Jerusalem is a more likely solution, what is the likelihood that either side will agree to the city remaining divided?

Questions: Dr Tamari

1. Where is the Arab Jew today, if anywhere? Are they more Arab now, or more Jew?

2. Does Shami remain forgotten? Do you think that his writing and perspective would have a constructive place in current peace talks?

Questions for Dr. Tamari

1. In your essay, you say that "Sociologist Yehouda Shenhav argues that the return to Zion meant little to them.... The move to Palestine (before 1948) was seen not as a move to Zion, but as a move from one area of the Arab world to another, and thus was not considered to have any ramifications in terms of sacred geography." What exactly changed the mindset of Zionists today who are focused on the religious aspects of Zionism? And, by extension, the support for Zionism by fundamentalist Christians who claim that their support is founded upon religious purposes?

2. Your essay makes it clear that Jews, Arabs, and Arab Jews coexisted peacefully as indigenous peoples, at least for a period of time. Why was Zionism, as opposed to Jewish migration into the region, seen as a necessary move? Or was it not necessary?

Questions for Dr. Tamari

1) In your opinion, do differences between Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Jews play a major role in shaping the social dynamics of contemporary Israel/Jerusalem?

2) Has the perception and social status of the Arab Jew improved or deteriorated over time?

Dr. Tamari

1. The development over the past 100 years of rival narratives/competing strains of nationalism between the Jews/Israelis and the Arabs/Palestinians/Muslims (I am not equating all of those terms with the use of the slashes, simply grouping them for the context of this question) makes it difficult to see a future of peace for the two nations. How can we take this understanding that the two parties have narratives fundamental to their identities that are so problematic/at odds and still see a path to peace (a rather generic and cliched question, I know, but it's the one I see as most worth asking)?

2. The last sentence of your piece on Ishaq Shami says that "he could not dissociate from [the Hebronites & the Jewish people] as victims, nor could he overcome the shattered hope that there was room for reconciliation as the two communities were driven toward irresolvable nationalist polarity" is heart-wrenching and perhaps a hint at what your response to my first question will be. Are the two nationalisms, that of the Jews/Israelis and that of the Palestinians, irreconcilable? Why or why not? The strongest strain of each one basically depends on the phasing out of the other, but there are more accepting forms of each, as well.

Questions for Dr. Tamari

1) How has your time spent on the refugee committee in the multilateral peace talks shaped your view on the effectiveness of dialogue as an avenue to peace?
2) How do you believe your personal history with the region plays a role in your research? Does it play a role?

Questions for Dr. Tamari

1) Do you associate zionism with colonialism? Or are is zionism a distinct term influenced by other European principles?

2) What future plan for Jerusalem best encourages coexistence among Jews and Palestinians?

Questions for Betty Herschman

1) What sorts of constraints, if any, does the Israeli government impose on NGOs dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

2) Can you tell us more about the legal work that Ir Amim has engaged in? Do you see the Israeli legal system as being biased against Palestinians? What is the solution to this?

Questions for Betty Herschman

1) As mentioned in one of the pieces on Ir Amim's website, a true solution is not going to come to Jerusalem until the three elements of the conflict (religious, political, and municipal) are addressed along with allowing all residents to express their historic, spiritual, national, and cultural identities. Do you see any of these elements or aspects of identity as more or less important than the others? Or do they all pull equal weight? 

2) With your work tied to Jewish identity, in a modern context, do you see the bonding agent between Jews across the world as more of a cultural, religious/spiritual, or historic connection? Similar to my first question, do you think any of these forces prove stronger than the others?

Questions for Dr. Tamari

      1) You mention the crucial role language must have played in the formation of identity in your piece “Ishaq al-Shami and the Predicament of the Arab Jew in Palestine” – do you see this is a theme that goes beyond Israel/Palestine?

2) You also make note of the fact that the concept of Arab Jews is seen as an oxymoron yet should be no different than that of the concept of American Jews. In your opinion, does history or the present-day situation make this more of a difficult concept? Could it be seen as ignorance?

Boycott

Thoughts on our soon-to-be university president?

Michael Drake, UCI Chancellor, Blasts History Professor Group's Boycott of Israeli Universities

Student Peace Conference

I thought some of you may be interested in attending the Student Peace Conference on Friday, at the Mershon Center.

More information: http://mershoncenter.osu.edu/eventcalendar/icalrepeat.detail/2014/01/24/179/-/student-peace-conference-and-peace-awards.html

Week 3 Assignments

The assignments and topic for class next week has been posted under the "Assignments" tab at the top of this blog. Please also check your email for more details. Have a great weekend!

Qestions for Professor Herrmann

1. How would you respond to the statement that there is something inherently wrong with the concept of Zionism?

2. What steps can we take as students to mitigate this conflict, both through "hard" and "soft" forms of advocacy/diplomacy? Also, in the post-collegiate world, what do you think are the most effective ways of solving this conflict? For example, is it wiser in the long term to get involved in formal methods of conflict resolution with governmental work, or would it be wiser to focus on community building and intergroup understanding/friendship?

Questions for Professor Herrmann

1) I often feel the geographical and cultural divide between the west and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may lead to the media (even those sources which attempt to be as unbiased as possible) overemphasizing or poorly portraying different aspects of the conflict. In your opinion, is this true? If so, what do you feel is overemphasized in the western media?

2) In the past several years, there have been attempts to establish interfaith dialogue groups between Christians, Jews and Muslims residing in the city of Jerusalem. Do you believe these groups are effective? Do you believe the limitations of contradicting religious and spiritual beliefs will eventually lead to the demise of these projects, or are you optimistic for the future of such endeavors?

-Megan Lawson

Questions for Professor Herrmann

1. What are some leading factors of this ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and what is something Israeli and Palestinian governmental bodies should emphasize when they have their peace talk meetings? It seems as if someone is always pulling out and angry so they choose not to talk or when they do talk, it gets nowhere.

2. From both sides, Israelis and Palestinians, what do you think that the citizens of both states really want? A peaceful state where they can all live together and govern together or to exterminate one another so only one group can live in this land?

Questions for Professor Herrmann

Questions for Professor Herrmann

Why did Ariel Sharon withdraw from the Gaza Strip and evict Israeli settlers from that area, and does that action provide any hope to Palestinians today that Netanyahu might be capable of doing something similarly unexpected?

It seems likely that Israelis will always be more powerful than Palestinians.  If this is true, then what incentive does Israel have, if any, to support a two-state solution with real sovereignty for the Palestinians?

Questions for Professor Herrmann

1) Given your background in international security, what do you think are the most important security issues preventing an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal? What can be done to ease the security concerns of both sides?

2) The Haredi community in Israel today seems to have more power then ever before. Some would suggest their growing power is a threat to Israeli democracy and "if left unimpeded, would turn the country into the Jim Crow south".  How do you think moderate Israelis can change this growing trend of leaning towards the right?

Questions: Dr Herrmann

1. The United States often plays a role in negotiations between Israel and Palestine. How has the American public view of both sides played a role in the success of these talks, if at all? With the modern media, will American public opinion play a greater role in the future? Should the United States as a government and as a people even be so involved in a conflict between two other parties?

2. There are many cultural, religious, political, and other schisms, conflicts, and issues around the world and throughout history. Yet, the Israel-Palestine conflict seems to be particularly infamous and long-lasting. Why is that? Will they never find a solution?

Professor Herrmann Questions

1) As expressed in your research, with nationalism and identity politics playing such a large role in world affairs, what do you foresee as the biggest challenge in reaching a two-state outcome? Do you see American involvement in the region and its open support of Israel as a hindrance or beneficial?

2) With Kerry’s open dissatisfaction (and aggression) towards West Bank policies, should ‘pro-violence’ Palestinian leaders actually be feared? Or do you see this as an imitation tactic from the US?