Here are some organizations and their statements about their views of the US-Israel relationship:
AIPAC
Jstreet
ARZA
and many more can be found here under "organizations."
Last week you started to bring your thoughts together in a series of brief answers and opinions. We will start with a discussion of those today, then its up to you to use the next hour to bring it all together. You will use a laptop to browse through the blog, re-watching videos, re-listening to songs, and re-reading documents and articles as needed. You will write out a conclusion to our Israel unit by answering these questions in a series of paragraph-long responses.
1. Which event or document we studied was the most powerful / meaningful for you in shaping your thinking about the modern State of Israel? Why? (Look back through all of the posts to guide your response)
2. Which personal opinions, from any of the people we studied, were the most powerful / meaningful for you in shaping your thinking about the modern State of Israel? Why? (Look back through all of the posts to guide your response. This includes comments from individual people and song lyrics)
3. Which one of your responses from the opinionnaire you completed last week (see below) raised the strongest feelings from you? Why?
4. What is your vision of a US/Israel relationship? What actions can we take to impact the relationship as we envision it?
Be sure to save your work as you write. You will have one hour to write your responses. We will then post them to the blog and invite the community to read and respond to your comments.
How do I feel about Israel politically?
- When the Israeli government pursues a policy that I do not agree with, it adversely effects my feelings towards Israel
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- When the American government and Israeli government disagree, my natural tendency is to side with the American position
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- Since I don’t live in Israel, I don’t have the right to question Israeli government policy
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- I am convinced that American support for Israel is deeply rooted in America’s national interest and therefore I am not worried that it will weaken.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- America supports Israel mainly because of the deep solidarity of American Jews with Israel and their support for Israel’s policies.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- Israel should do what it thinks is right to enhance its security and national interest, regardless of what America thinks
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- American support should be the most important policy objective for Israel; the Israeli government should never do anything to put that in jeopardy.
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
- I believe that the current administration will bring more Americans to believe in Israel and the possibility for both peace and a Jewish State
Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Agree
Circle the question that you find most interesting or raises the strongest feeling in you
1. The 6 day war was the most powerful event I studied because it really changed Israel. It changed how the other countries in the region viewed Israel, and gave them worldwide respect.
ReplyDelete2. I really liked the raps because it showed how people are growing up on both sides, and what it is like to grow up knowing nothing else than what is going on in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
3. I believe that the current administration will bring more Americans to believe in Israel and he possibility for both peace and a Jewish state. This is because with all of the turmoil going on in the Middle East, Israel is the only stable country, and this country will begin to appreciate that more in the coming months.
4. I see Israel and the United States strengthening their relationship, but at the same time, not depending on each other as much as hopefully they can develop friendlier relationships with other Middle eastern countries.
David G
Lily Cott -
ReplyDeleteThe document that was the most powerful to me was from the website. http://www.mideastweb.org/youngpeople.htm; a story that shared points of view from four teenagers from both the Israeli and Palistinean sides. was difficult to take side, and because both views were so different, they were both right to me. These views were powerful because it came from people that were from my age group, so I had a better chance of connecting with them.
The opinion that was the most powerful to me was from the article that I talked about in the previous paragraph. A Palistinean students says, "'And now the world calls us terrorists,” Rani adds. “In any occupied country the people have the right to resist. When the French resisted the Nazis they were heroes but when we fight back we are terrorists.'" When Israel talks about how their actions are for the good, people around the world are believing them. And people on Israel's side are most likely going to think of the Palistineans as the "bad guys". This was powerful because I can relate it to friend and school issues that I see on a daily basis. When the "bad guy" is fighting in self-defense, it does come off as just plain fighting. When I read that part of the article, I definetely felt bad for that student, because it's not fair how his actions are so strongly misinterpreted.
The question on this opinion sheet that raised the strongest feelings from me was the sixth one, which read: Israel should so what it thinks is right to enhance its security and national interest, regardless of what America thinks. America tends to think that they're always right and everyone should listen to them, so I completely agree that Israel should do what they think is right for themselves. Even if it wasn't America in this situation, Israel isn't going to get stronger if they're making decisions based on what other people want. They need to become independent in making decisions and governing themselves, and America should respect that. America can make all the suggestions that they want, but they should not expect Israel to listen and carry out with all of them.
My vision of the US and Israeli relationship is that America is with Israel morally, but not physically. America will always back up Israel in their minds, and in the media, but not directly in battle when Israelis would need them most. On the other hand, that is more support than Israel has from most other countries, so America's support is valued and appreciated in Israel.
1) The event that has left the biggest effect on me that we learned was probably the article talking about how Neo-Nazis take over Germany. This made me think about the holocaust and of all the horrible things that happened in that time period. What is most shocking about this is that even though people knew all of the bad things that happened during the holocaust, there are still people out there who don't even care. This makes me wonder if something like the holocaust could ever happen again.
ReplyDelete2) One person's personal opinion about Israel that impacted me was Barack Obamas.He talked about how great of a place Israel was, and how big of an ally the United States had with Israel. He really thinks that Israel knows what's going on and knows what to do in situations. He expressed his love for Israel which meant a lot. This shows that Jewish people aren't the only people who love and care for Israel deeply.
3)The question from the oppinionaire that influenced and gave me the most to agree with was the sentence that said "Israel should do what it thinks is right to enhance its security and national interest, regardless of what America thinks" I gave this sentence a 4 because Israel is it's independent country. Although along with America, they are great partners, if Israel doesn't or does agree towards something that America has the opposite view on, Israel can do what it wants. It doesn't need America's approval, because it is it's own seperate country.
4)The US and Israel have a great relationship. They are both democratic countries who have several opinions on many different public relations, and issues. They look towards each other in a struggle and help each other out. What is so great about these two countries is that not only the leaders of these countries get along,the people also view the two countries as allies. If we could do something to keep impacting this relationship, I think we should.
1. I think that an event that was most meaningful was the 6 day war. I think this was because it had a really big impact on Israel. It happened right when Israel was named a country. I think that it had one of the biggest impacts.
ReplyDelete2.Personally I think that raps a really powerful effect on me. They were able to show different views of things. Such as a view from Israel and a view from Palestinian Youth. It had different views and effects and I liked it.
3.I think that number four raised the strongest feelings for me because it was saying that American support will not weeken
4.I think that America has a pretty good relationship. But it seems that America won't always be there for Israel.
1. The event that we studied that was powerful in shaping my thinking on the modern state of Israel was the Entebbe hostage Rescue. This event was powerful for me because in a very short amount of time, when people’s lives were on the line, Israel created a plan to save the hostages. At the end of the event, only one person died. The majority of the hostages were safe at the end and this event showed the intelligence Israel has and it shows Israel’s ability to support its people.
ReplyDelete2. When we studied Barack Obama’s opinion on Israel, he stated that Israel and the United States have a separate relationship unlike any other. Also, when we were listening to different Israeli and Palestinian songs, the lyrics expressed the artists feelings towards Israel. These different people helped to give me a better opinion on other people’s views towards Israel.
3. The question from the questionnaire that I had the largest opinion on was question number 3 which was about the right to question the Israeli government. I think that we have the right to question the Israeli government because we question other countries governments so we should be able to question Israeli governments.
4. My vision on the United States and Israel relationship is I think that they should continue to help each other as they have been. The actions we can take to continue this relationship is for them to continue backing up and supporting each other.
Josh said:
ReplyDelete1) in my opinion, the most influential document was the 1948. It sheds light on how everything started between Israelis and Palestinians.
2) The opinions of the teenagers were the most powerful because the teenagers are Israel’s future.
3) I thought that the relationship question between the U.S. and Israel was the most powerful because it al depends on the situation.
4) The U.S. has Israel’s back 100%.
February 6, 2011 7:44 AM
Josh added...
1 expanded) the war's aftermath sparked a rage in the middle East that would never die out because a Jewish state had been born.
2 expanded) IF the teenagers grow up and find a way to make peace it will be a brighter future but if war continues than then the conflict will never be solved.4 expanded) every president in the United States has supported Israel since 1948. and since then there has never been a break in the relationship, but I cant predict the future so I don't know what will happen.
1. The event we studied that was most powerful to me was the current events happening in Egypt. I feel that it shows how unpredictable the middle east is. It also shows how Israel is always on edge and never knows what to expect. The attacks are effecting lives of average citizens in Israel.
ReplyDelete2. The personal opinion i found most powerful was Dennis Prager's opinion. He seemed to be very set on his opinion of the conflict and the ways it could be resolved. His opinion was very straight forward, I found this to be very ignorant of him. With all of the things going on and its complexity, i feel that the resolution of this conflict, if one is to come, will be very complex too.
3.I believe that question 4 raised the strongest feelings for me. The fact that American support for Israel is deeply rooted in America's national interest and therefore it will not weaken, i feel this maybe a bit strong. I think the US's support for Israel may also have to do with economic issues such as oil, and not as much as a national interest. Also there are many different opinions on Israel in the US. Therefore it may not completely be a national interest.
4. I feel that the Israel/US relationship is like a big brother little brother relationship. US i feel is very protective of Israel and wants to keep them under their wing.
1. The event or document that influenced my views on Israel the most was the DAM music videos. While I watched them I understood the pain and anger that the Arabs have to deal with every day. We had read about the different views of teenagers from both sides but before I saw the music video I didn't fully understand how they really felt.
ReplyDelete2. Again I believe that the people from DAM influenced me the most. While we watched there interview they spoke of power outs and the cramped living conditions. They led me from the ideal that Israel has done nothing wrong and are the oppressed to the ideal that the Arabs are oppressed and are fighting back in sometimes wrong ways. Therefor i have no side in this conflict but I do feel for both sides.
3. I think that the question that raised the strongest feelings in me was "Since I don't live in Israel, I don't have the right to question the Israeli government." I highly disagree with this. I believe that no matter where you live you should always be able to question things and have your opinion on them.
4. My vision of the US/Israel relationship is cordial with the US helping Israel and the Palestinians find a lasting peace.
Jamie Sak
ReplyDelete1. I think the six day war was the most powerful. Because it taught me that anything can happen in the span of six days.
2. I think the teens in Israel was the most powerful. Because people assumed these teenagers were terrorists just because they live in Israel and Pallestine.
3. I think the third response raised the strongest feelings from me. Because even if I dont live in Israel, doesnt mean I cant question about Israel.
4. My vision of a US/Israel relationship is I think the US should continue to support and question about Israel. The US can research about Israel or ways to help Israel.