A Wall, Water, and Power

The journal that I read sparked my interest for a number of reasons. The first on was the title which is shared by this post, and it also referenced a scholar here at Ohio State being Alexander Wendt. I was lucky enough to take a course under him and found his thoughts to be utterly fascinating. The journal spent a lot of time reflecting on issues related to my thoughts on the Israel/Palestine problem and went more into detail as to why they are going to be a difficult problem to fix.

Alexander Wendt's quote on Israel and Palestine that spurred the journal on is:

"A social structure composed of inter-subjective understandings in which states are so distrustful that they make worst-case assumptions about each others' intensions, and as a result define their interests in self-help terms."

That brought me back to a lecture I had by Wendt where we talked about this very topic. The idea is that everyone in the Middle East desires three things and they are peace, justice, and security. In the case of the Israeli's and Palestinians, these are the same desires. The Israelis claim to desire security more so than justice  and they justify the building of the separation wall, in the very self-help terms mentioned, in order to attain that. While at the same time, the Palestinians strongly desire justice arguably more than security. That desire stems of the 1948 war and the exodus of the Palestinians that followed.

Now while both desire peace, their desire for their respective situations to be dealt with first takes precedence over that. Each of them was addressed later on in the article with having other major issues related to the two state or one state solution. The water situation will be a problem in the case of a two state solution and a one state solution has major issues with the division of power.

In order for all of these issues to be resolved, the problem Wendt proposed needs to be dealt with immediately. As long as each group is acting in its own self help terms, then we will continue to see problems such as the separation wall being built for Israel's security, and terrorist acts as an act of justice via vengence for the Palestinians. What needs to be addressed first is the misguided social structure based on how people view each other rather than the facts of the situation. That is why there is great hope in the dialogue. Through this dialogue we have communication of facts and are able to understand where everyone is coming from in this situation.

Trottier, Julie. "A Wall, Water and Power: The Israeli ‘separation Fence’." Review of International Studies 33.01 (2007): 105. Print.

Artistic Hope

Today's readings brought back many of my memories from when I was in the West Bank and viewed the separation wall for the first time. I remember thinking how out of place it looked curling up and down the mountains around Jerusalem. It was strange seeing a concrete barrier winding its way around hordes of historical holy sights in the city. It was even more strange seeing all of the graffiti on it from the Palestinian side, often graffiti that was beautiful and horrific at the same time.

The reading from OSU spent a lot of time talking about how national identity very much putting the us vs. them mentality into action. The separation barrier is a great example of that. While Israel says it is for security reasons, the very core of this issue is the us vs. them mentality. Without that, there would be no need for the separation barrier because there wouldn't be any difference between the Israelis and Palestinians. To me, the issue of the separation barrier tells how the Israelis view themselves differently than the Palestinians and they then need to build the separation barrier to define that.

The artistic response of the graffiti artists is amazing to me. When I was first in Israel, I viewed the graffiti as simply a form of rebellion through vandalism. While that may be there, I never had reflected on graffiti as a form of political expression. I admire the peaceful approach to the conflict of the separation barrier over any of the violent alternatives. I wish I had this understanding when I visited Israel the first time.

More than just the geopolitical issues surrounding it, the issue surrounding it to me was/is how it has ruined a pristine and beautiful piece of global history. While it has some severe human right issues related to it, to me the issue is how it has ruined the splendor of Jerusalem and Israel as a whole. At the same time, the separation barrier has provided a new form of history. It has become and avenue of expression that would not be there otherwise. While in some senses the wall is a form of aggression, at the same time it has become one of the most beautiful means of communication and that is of the arts. That combined with projects such as the Western-Eastern Divan Orchestra provide solutions and means for dialogue that I believe will hold the key to solving the issues surrounding Jerusalem.

Final Project Outline

Here ya go:

The idea for my final project is based off of the HBO series Newsroom. This has quickly become one of my favorite shows mainly because it addresses facts and fiction in a highly entertaining and informative way. I also am a theatre guy which has given me some thoughts as to how to approach this.

To start, I will be working with Ben for the script and I will have a couple of friends in the theatre department help me with the acting. The filming requirements and location have yet to be finalized, but the set will be that of a newsgroup's set. I will be acting as the anchor and moderator who will be interviewing a representative of the Palestinians and one of the Israelis.

Where it will get interesting is in the script. The topic at hand will be a current event taking place in Israel. It will be a fictitious one based off of real events so that we can address typical arguments made by both sides.
The representative of both parties will intentionally be biased to show what the common argument is so that the anchor will have the opportunity to speak on a factual basis. The acting will intentionally be emotional and argumentative to represent the passion made on both sides. The anchor's main job will be to rebuttle all of the arguments on with on a factual basis.

I like this format for a number of reasons. The first one is because we can address the arguments typified by each party. This format also allows there to be objective fact in a debate that so often is based on emotion alone. Secondly, this format gives me artistic discretion to drive the facts home. I believe I have the experiences, resources, and most importantly some amazing friends that will help this be a very special project.

Here are some links to clips from the Newsroom format that give some meat to the bones of this idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAjX2aiX3PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdeSsnjuS0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBnk2aKsIQA

Tonight's Response

My initial response after reading the conversation between Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said was of sheer amazement. Here are two amazing minds with vastly different intellectual backgrounds who seem to be the closest of friends. They also represent two opposing nations and yet, they are able to put aside their differences and were able to sustain a powerful friendship.

What also amazed me was how the arts drew them together. The writing told of how Edward was a person who was able to see the importance of understanding many facets of life from the arts to philosophy to literature. Daniel is a man who has a passion for music and also seems to understand how the arts are able to draw us together. Someone in our discussion time on Tuesday said how music is a language that everyone speaks and I think this friendship is an example of that. I also admire Daniel's passion in that belief. When he decided to play the piece from Triston and Isolade in spite of Israel's taboo, that shows his passion for how music is something that anyone can appreciate.

That passion for the arts as a means to draw people together is inspirational for me. As an avid participant in theatre and a former musician, I can really relate to this subject. To me, the opportunity to work alongside someone with the common goal of turning a piece of music into a masterpiece, is a special opportunity as a human being. I perceive that the arts are seen as just a means of entertainment any more to most people. That explains why it is not seen as a vital part of our education and culture anymore. These two men's friendship and the Western-Eastern Divan orchestra are examples of how the arts can bring people together. To me, this story shows more progress towards the Israelis and Palestinians achieving peace more than anything else in history.

To my family and those who have impacted me

There have been many things that have defined who I am and how I got to where I am at today. I have been blessed with so many things from travel, to my health, to my education that has directed me throughout my life. To write all of these things, would take up far to much of my and your time so I will narrow it down to a very special few and those few are my family.

I cannot narrow down what exactly family is so I will simply show you who they are and how they have impacted me. I am so blessed.

These are my closest friends from Iowa. They are the greatest group of guys a person could ask for. I look forward to seeing them every time I go home or visit them where they are at. I see our friendship, though started at the end of high school, as being a friendship of a lifetime. They also are men in case the epic mountain climbing picture didn't give that away.

This is my boy Jimmy D. What a guy. He is my best friend at Ohio State, my fraternity brother, partner in crime, and my professional developer. I have been lucky to have him as my roommate these past two years and everything that has come with that. I will miss him when he goes to Duke next year. Go Bucks.

This stud is my grandpa Schoffelman. My middle name is shared with him and that alone is a big enough honor for me. This man is my hero. My role model. My best friend. His humility and devotion to character is something I strive to show in my life. I am honored to be his grandson.

Here is my dad and I during a skiing trip last spring break. He exemplifies hard work and devotion in every possible way to me. If I could be half of the man he is, I would consider that an accomplishment.

This beautiful woman is my mom Jill. She has shown me love and grace throughout my entire life and she has a special place in my heart. I always look forward to our coffee dates and her long drawn out stories as to how life is going for her.

This is my brother Alex. He will probably kill me if he finds out that I posted a picture of him wearing an OSU shirt on a public blog. Oh well. He is my exact opposite but yet I admire him for his amazing work ethic and desire to help the world with his amazing interest in agriculture.

This is my step dad Bruce. He is a fighter to say the least. He and I have had many special moments and I look back on them with extreme fondness. His fighting spirit is going on display in one of the most extreme ways I can imagine right now with his fight against cancer. Yet, throughout all of this, he still cares for and looks after my mom in a truly loving way.

This is my amazing girlfriend Liesl. I don't know where to start with her so I will say just a few words. She encourages, challenges, and inspires me everyday. She has the most beautiful personality and appearance I could ever dream of. I have been so blessed to have her in my life these past two years and I cherish every moment I have with her. She is a keeper.

All of these people only scratch the surface of those who have impacted me. I have many men who poured into my life from my pastors to my hunting buddies. I can say without a shade of doubt that I would not be who I am today without every person who has been in my life. I hope I can be as encouraging and impactful as these people have been to me to someone else someday.

Some more reflections...

The readings for Tuesday really brought me back to previous studies I have done in other classes. Ever since I first went to class at The Ohio State University, I became amazed at how classes from all different backgrounds can be applied in all sorts of academic settings. I truly feel like I am a better student if indeed a better person because of this style of education.

But back to the topic at hand, I have been reminded of an archaeology class I took two years ago here at Ohio State. The topic of that class was archaeology of the Near East and many of the places we have referenced so far in this class were also brought up then. An interesting topic we talked about was the colonial power's approach to archaeology. I find it to be very similar to that of the colonial photography during that time which was very biblically focused. There is a widespread belief among secular and religious scholars that believe the archaeology of that period tarnished if not destroyed the veracity of the science. I am amazed at how a similar thought has come about with the photography during that period.

I also reflected back on my experience in Northern Israel in 2009 with the article on the historical problems of the Jewish Arabs. When I was in that region, I was among Lebanese Christians who were residing in the state of Israel. They were doing this because they sided with Israel in the various conflicts between Lebanon and the IDF and so they could no longer return to Lebanon. The only problem that they then faced was their residency in Israel. Due to their previous national and religious affiliation, they could not gain citizenship in Israel. This left them in limbo citizenship wise and left them in extreme poverty.

Having said all of this, I am still amazed at the role religion plays in that region of the world. It is so easy to say that we should all come together and respect each other's beliefs while still realizing we do not have to compromise our own ideologies. Time has shown this never to be the case whether it be through war with the Lebanese Christians or through the arts with the problems of colonial photography. Even the sciences of anthropology were skewed to disrespect or bias religion. This is a sad truth that has led to so many conflicts but at the same time awareness of this will only cause the betterment of everyone who chooses to do so.

Reliving Research

These last few chapters brought me back to my original thoughts in regards to the Israel/Palestine issue. These thoughts are centered around the confusion of how the groups got into this mess and who actually is to blame. These are thoughts that started before I ever visited the Middle East and were very important to how I viewed that region when I went there. So many historical events have left marks on the nation of Israel even to this day and I remember the fascination that I had when I saw them with my very own eyes.

The first event I remember studying was the Arab revolt of 1918. When I first went to Jerusalem, I was working on a large high school project in regards to that event and the role of T.E. Lawrence during it. I remember walking through the old city and reflecting on how T.E. would have been thinking in that situation. I had begun to admire his approach to the Middle East and the people therein. While he himself was very respected by the Arabs, only a short glance at a history book shows how the British are very much at the center of the conflict at hand. Whether it was the Sykes-Picot treaty or the Balfour declaration, not everyone in the British military was as keen on the Middle East as T.E. Lawrence was.

The next event I remember very clearly was the drive form Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This stretch of road is known as the Bab-El-Wad and it was a region of intense conflict during 1948. When driving along this, there is wreckage from the past wars strewn along the roadside from blown up cars to burned out military vehicles. I was amazed how they remained there till today yet they still seemed so fitting. I say that because no matter where I was at in the Middle East, the importance of all of the conflicts to today's events is of the utmost importance.

Time and time again those very events from the past play important roles into the dialogue between the Palestinians and Israelis today. These last chapters brought me back to everything I was learning and researching prior to my time in Israel. Now that I am back and am reflecting on that history, I am amazed at how much I have learned. Time has blessed me with many new opportunities to understand the conflict surrounding Jerusalem and I look forward to looking back on this post someday and realizing how much more I have learned.