Cautious Optimism

U-M Israel conference provides expert perspective.

DON COHEN
Special to the Jewish News

fund reconstruction, infrastructure
and jump-start the economy."
Likewise, he said, "Israel must
strengthen the hand of those who
want peaceful co-existence. The
Palestinians must have something
to show that their lives will
improve."

Ann Arbor
n air of optimism permeat-
ed the fourth annual Israel
Academic Conference held
March 13 at the Michigan League
on the University of Michigan cam-
pus. There was widespread agree-
Hope After Arafat
ment that Israeli and Palestinian
Following more breakout sessions
leadership are serious about ending
on social service and political issues,
the violence between their people
and pursuing co-existence and a
former Ambassador Dennis Ross
delivered the closing keynote to an
two-state solution, but, as usual, the
devil was seen in the details.
audience of about 150.
Ross, director of the Washington
Chaired by U-M seniors Megan
Institute for Near East Policy,
Martin and Naama Yaron, the stu-
played the leading role in shaping
dent-led and U-M Hillel-supervised
the Middle East peace process in
conference lived up to its title,
the administrations of Presidents
"Israel: A Diverse Perspective," as
George H.W. Bush and Bill
the difficult and real challenges
Clinton.
were made clear for all to consider.
Ross saw a number of positive
Walid Shoebat, the assumed
Conference committee members Rebecca Chinsky of Baltimore, Naomi Karp of
changes, including Israel's decision
name of an American Christian
Cinncinnati and conference co-chair Megan Martin of Saline with former Ambassador
to withdraw from the Gaza Strip
who grew up Muslim in Israel and
Dennis Ross
and northern Judaea, an active
was arrested for plotting terrorism
Egyptian role and an engaged Bush
as a member of the Palestine
administration. But the most posi-
Liberation Organization (PLO),
"We never mingled, we never sat across from
tive
change
is
that
Palestinian Authority President
kicked off the conference with a very personal and
each other to share our thoughts," said Shoebat,
Yasser
Arafat
is
no
longer around to be an impedi-
impassioned defense of Israel and Zionism.
explaining the distrust and animosity between the
ment to peace through his support of terrorism and
"Confession is the beginning of healing, and in
two sides.
widespread corruption.
the Mideast we don't have the sense of confession,"
The first of a series of breakout sessions dealt
"The Palestinians only became optimistic after
Shoebat told the 75 people at the conference's first
with U.S.-Israel relations, social services in Israel,
Arafat
died last fall," Ross said. "He gave them a
session. "In the Middle East, we have the party line
human rights in the Palestinian Authority and soci-
past
but
not a future. He could never end the con-
and we have the coffin.
ety, hopes for peace and the role of the media.
flict
with
the Israelis because it would take too
"I was a Palestinian terrorist not a freedom fight-
Professor Husain Haqqani, a Pakistani journalist
much
redefinition.
He never did anything that was
er," said Shoebat, who spoke about his family's con-
and diplomat currently a visiting scholar at the
constructive."
nections to Haj-Amin a-Husseini, the Grand Mufti
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in
In contrast, Ross believes Mahmoud Abbas repre-
of Jerusalem that Shoebat said Hitler called "the
Washington, D.C., spoke to the conference about
sents a new and real hope, though his chances of
Fuhrer of the Middle East."
his experiences as an official observer of the recent
success are an open question.
Shoebat spoke of being taught that the Jews have
Palestinian elections.
"He believes violence is wrong," Ross said. "He
no connection to the land, that the Holocaust was a
"At the present, the momentum seems to be posi-
believes
in a two-state solution; he believes in co-
myth. He said he was taught to hate Jews in both
tive," observed Haqqani, noting that Palestinian
existence.
He is authentic, so he is credible. He
the Muslim and Christian schools he attended.
President Mahmud Abbas is working for a truce,
does not crave power [like Arafat did].
He changed his life when, after moving to the
Israel is giving him time to do so and the new
"His strategy is co-option, not confrontation,"
United States, he went back to visit Israel. "I started Palestinian cabinet "is dedicated to stopping the
says Ross, explaining Abbas, also known as Abu
thinking like a Westerner," said Shoebat. "I asked,
violence and instituting economic reform." But
Mazen, is trying to build his influence and a
`Why do we hate the Jews so much?' I started look-
Haqqani cautioned that the optimism might be
Palestinian legislative authority that will institute
ing at things from my enemies' side and began to
misplaced.
the rule of law.
study the Bible in a new way."
"Every silver lining should be in the context of a
"We are in a race against time," Ross said. "Abu
"Anti-Semitism, my friends, is the second oldest
cloud, so don't get too excited," he said.
Mazen
has to show his way works. He must deliver
profession in the world," he said. "The issue is not
The Arabs need to give up the aim of destroying
jobs. He must deliver freedom of movement. He
land, it is the issue of the occupation of the minds
Israel, and economic aid to the Palestinians must
must show that nonviolence provides a political
of children."
flow immediately, he said.
Besides putting the blame on the political, educa-
"The Arab states have had a windfall with the rise pathway to deliver on Palestinian political aspira-
tions."
tional and religious systems of the Arab world, he
in oil prices. They have funded Palestinian violence.
Ross is concerned that the U.S.-brokered road
held out hope that honest and open encounters
Will they fund Palestinian peace? They need to
map toward peace is not concrete enough and that
could overcome the lies, just as it did for him.

A

3/17
2005

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