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?

Questions for Professor Herrmann

1) Senior Palestinian leaders recently alleged that the United States is not a neutral mediator in the current round of peace negotiations. Separately, in his book Brokers of Deceit, Rashid Khalidi argues that the U.S. "has posed as an unbiased intermediary between Israel and the Palestinians, but in fact it operated increasingly in defense of Israel's interests..." Given the U.S.'s historical political, financial, and military support for Israel, can a durable peace ever be achieved between Israel and Palestine as long as the United States plays the role of mediator? What is the importance of U.S. participation in peace talks? Is it necessary?

2) Israel's West Bank settlements and the issue of the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees are often seen as two significant roadblocks on the path to peace. Please give us some context about these two issues. What role do they play in current negotiations, and will headway be made with regard to these issues? What positions are the Palestinians and Israelis likely to take--will any concessions be made?