Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lila, Allison and Kete

Girls:
Your research was so good! I'm really glad you girls showed the services of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian churches. Previously, I had never seen neither a Jewish nor a Muslim worship service and it was quite interesting to see!

Kete:
Your research made me sooo hungry! I really think you uncovered something great just by showing the class the importance of food in identity.  I also think the Chefs for Peace movement is a very beautiful attempt to understand the opposing viewpoints and makes me hopeful for the future of Jerusalem.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Blog post for Nov 14

In my opinion, the evaluation should focus on what readings were/weren't helpful. I'm not sure if anyone felt the same way, but for me a lot of the readings either were a) incredibly informative with very interesting information or b) confusing and/or a little bit dry. I also think the evaluation should feature what the students felt was more useful as they leave the class. Because I am interested in going to law school, I enjoyed learning about the issues that featured human rights infringements and those that included issues of laws and lawmaking in Israel.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Anatot

For this exercise, we were asked to look up Anatot and also supplied with two websites that Dr. Horowitz found to be useful for our research.  Previously, I had never heard of this area and looked it up to find that Anatot is a small town of less than 1,000 Israelis that live within the West Bank (a primarily Palestinian area).

I first went to the Btselem website and found a website talking about the average age of a minority civilian in the military-justice system in the West Bank.  According to this article, the age has been raised from 16 to 18. This amendment raises the age from 16 to 18 in an effort to protect the Palestinians living in the West Bank.  According to this article, the Israelis are not affected because Israelis are prosecuted under the Israeli Penal Law regardless of their location.  Apparently, this amendment was made in an effort to protect Palestinian teens that have been accused of crimes such as stone throwing. In this respect, the amendment gives Palestinian teens the right to:

  1. Notification of Parents: however, this can be an issue because under the amendment, the authorities are required to only make a "reasonable effort" to notify the parents or guardians. However, this legislation fails to mention the requirements for a "reasonable effort."
  2. The authorities must inform teens of their rights to consult with an attorney
  3. Under this amendment, minors may not be prosecuted after one year of said criminal behavior, except for certain offenses (such as causing death, assault, stone throwing, and throwing a burning object). The previous statute held limitations of two years.
  4. This amendment limits the authorities in the way they imprison minors. They are only allowed to be with adults if they are 16 or older and the adults may not have contact with them while the minors are sleeping.
This article interested me because I am considering law school and anything law-related grabs my attention.  I cannot help but notice how incredibly different the law is in Israel/West Bank as compared to the law in the United States. Here, the statue of limitations is much longer and minors are only allowed to be held with adults if the judge decides they should be charged as adults, therefore in the eyes of the law being seen as adult. I feel as though much of this amendment is very general and could therefore lead to trouble for both the authorities and those being detained. In my opinion, this amendment is a very weak attempt to protect the Palestinian teens and I don't feel as though a Palestinian would be very protected if they were arrested. 

Municipal Inequality in Ir-Amim
I found it interesting that the statistic stated that Palestinians account for 33% of the population yet only constitute 8-11% of the funding for Jerusalem. This seems like a pretty obvious miscarriage of fiscal means as they should be receiving at least 30% of the fiscal means provided to the city. 

This article also included facts on the lacking classrooms available to Palestinian children and how the parents are being forced to send their children to pricey private schools and how some children are unable to go to school because their families are unable to pay the pricey fees of private tuition.

These articles were both useful because they gave me a unique glance at the world that Palestinians see and understand.

My questions for Eitan:

1. In your opinion, what is the most obvious misallocation of funds for the Palestinian minorities of Jerusalem? 
2. Do you feel that the Palestinians of Jerusalem are given reasonable schooling for their children and if not, what are some of your ideas to get more classrooms available for the Palestinian students?
3. Do you feel that the new Amendment will help protect Palestinian teens who are arrested by the Israeli authorities? Do you feel that the Amendment addresses all areas of concerns for Palestinian detainees? 

Monday, November 7, 2011

Question for Elinor

In your opinion, what would be the best way to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? Is separation vital to the peace movement?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Reading Response For Nov 1, 2011

Sharon and My Mother-In-Law is the most moving of all of the articles we have read to this point.  This article scared me, enlightened me, and made me feel for the victims of this terrible conflict.  In her writing, you can feel her fear as she goes to retrieve the "gas masks" as well as her frustration upon being constantly told to stand in a line and behave in an orderly fashion. It must get old to be told to do the things you had already intended to do, as if you were incapable of coming up with these notions on your own. Does anyone care to enlighten me as to what the older neighbor meant when he said "If you can't beat them, join them?" Was he an Israeli?
In the chapter about the dogs, it is hard to imagine ethnic restrictions so severe that even a dog vaccination must be accounted for.  It is almost comical to consider that a dog would have to get a Jerusalem ID in order to receive its necessary vaccinations. When the author talks of how she was so jealous of the ID and almost considered putting her own picture on the ID for Nura, it became much clearer for me as to just how intense the divide is for the residents of these communities.  It is also interesting to read that the car needs a form of identification as well as its driver.

Not the Mother of All Cities is an interesting article.  The best part of this article is how she mentions that most of the inhabitants feel the need to be "her master." This so easily applies to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how the need for communication and cooperation is so vital in this situation.  She writes of how "women (speaking of the city) deserve to be loved with less posessiveness and more equality." This is an article I wish all of the current residents of Jerusalem would read and understand because I honestly believe it would inspire them to make an honest attempt at communicating with each other in an efficient and reasonable way.

Questions for Hasan-Rokem:
In your opinion, what is the best option to end the Israeli/Palestinian conflict?
Can you tell us what it is like to wake up each morning and be greeted by the wall?
Would it make sense for the country to remain as one, or is separation the only alternative?

Final Project Outline


Megan Watson
I-300

Outline for I300 Final Project

Description: My final project will be a compilation of interviews of various friends, family, coworkers, and complete strangers that will help to give me insight to what the typical American knows of the current state of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  At this point, my goal is to interview at least 15 people and combine their answers for a collective example of the American knowledge of the conflict. At this point, my current approach to the interview is as follows:

Initial Statement: I am researching for a class at Indiana University Bloomington, do you mind if I ask you some questions? Whatever you choose to say may be used in a classroom environment and/or posted on the Living Jerusalem Blog. At any time you are able to refuse to answer questions or stop the interview.

If the interviewee should submit to these questions, I will use the following questions to gauge their individual understanding of the conflict.  I will then compile their individual answers to try to better understand what the average American understands about the conflict.  Because I am researching the average American, I will incorporate interviewees of various ages, economic status, and ethnicities. Additionally, I will record their responses with a video camera and combine these for a video that I will show in class. This is my first time creating a video so I am sure it will be a challenge.

Questions.
1.     What is your name?
2.     How old are you?
3.     What is your current job, or are you a student?
4.     Where are you from? Have you lived in America all of your life?
5.     Have you traveled abroad?
6.     Can you point to Jerusalem on this map?
7.     Can you tell me about the wall that separates the Israelis and Palestinians within the current state of Israel?
8.     What are your opinions of Palestinian proposal of Statehood to the United Nations?
9.     How often do you read the newspaper or read international news online?
10. Do you have any ideas as to what could settle the conflict of the Israelis and Palestinians?
11.  Have you attended any conferences related to Jerusalem?

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Weblog Journal 6

Music is very important in my life. It serves as an inspiration, a cure, and a force that acts as a soundtrack to my world.  The music I listen to when I'm working, writing, and living greatly influence my mood and my response to my surroundings.  I very much enjoy country music, some rap, and just about everything in between.

Music helps me define myself as a person because it defines where I go (concerts), who I will go with (friends that like the same music), as well as the way I respond to problems and events that come up in my life. I've often been listening to a song and relating it to my life.  Music provides a coping strategy as well.

Music is important in conflict because it helps people express themselves, give answers to each other. and keeps the situation calm. Because people can channel their grief, happiness, and anger all into their music, it keeps the situation more calm as well as allows for growth.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Mariam Said

Question about the "Israeli and Palestinian Musicians Get Talking" video: How did this idea to start an orchestra begin? What were some of the obstacles you came across when forming the group?

What do you hope for these musicians to understand about each other through the project?

In your opinion, do most of the members experience direct conversation with the "other" group for the first time in your Orchestra? If so, have there ever been any tensions among the group?

Missed Blogs

Hey guys, I had a medical issue so here is my response to the week:

As for the video conference with the Palestinian student, I felt this was the best video conference so far. In my opinion, it was very useful to speak with someone who is approximately the same age as me and is directly involved in the city of Jerusalem.  In some respects, it felt as though talking to him was like talking to a Palestinian representative of the city.  He made some things clearer for me and helped me understand that no one has a perfect solution for the creation of a peaceful Jerusalem.  I liked this video conference and am glad I was able to partake in it.

Also, I really like the Banksy art on the West Bank. I particularly liked the stencil of the little girl holding on to the black balloons as she attempted to get over the Wall.  This image represents such hope for a brighter future and is a truly peaceful and beautiful piece of art. 

In the article by Peteet, I enjoyed how she described the walls as archeological symbols of the different layers of Jerusalem.  As Peteet focuses on Palestinians' voices of graffiti, it is fascinating that she describes the art as less of a form of deviance and more of an act of expression.  In the US, it is common to associate graffiti with crime and the unwanted and it is less standard to think of the graffiti as artistic expression, as Peteet does in the article. 

For whatever reason, the thought of graffiti in Jerusalem had never occurred to me.  For the most part, I have always considered graffiti to be an element of the uber-urban American lifestyle that is not common in other parts of the world. It was interesting to read otherwise and to understand that graffiti means a lot more to people than just defiance and a quick thrill.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

#5

The problems for the Jerusalem Project of 2011 will be exactly the same as the problems of the previous Jerusalem Fair in Washington, D.C. The topic of religious affiliation is a sensitive one and it doesn't help when members of opposing religions view each other as threats. In my opinion, the best way to go after the Jerusalem Project is through an academic lens rather than through any means of religious approach. I would say that members need to continue reading the Armstrong book because I feel the book got me in the door as far as understanding and articulating through the three religions of Jerusalem. Also, I would like to see the video conferences continue, as we are so much more apt to understand when we speak with an academic scholar.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

October 9, 2011

After hearing many opinions, both in the classroom and through the readings,  I believe the country of Israel should be split into two states; one Israeli and one Palestinian.  I believe that this course of action would help put an end to some of the long-standing disputes within the area as well as ease political tension within the state.  My only concern is for the division of Palestine as it is being proposed, with two physically separate regions.  There would certainly be disputes among boundary lines as well as fear for those living along these borders.  As it stands, I'm not sure that this physical allotment to the state of Palestine is best for the hope of peace.  While I do understand that Arab people live along the West Bank, I feel like separating Palestine into two chunks would be unsuccessful. 

My proposed idea is to make a state of Palestine that closely resembles the 1947 Partition Plan.  The borders create less severe gaps between the two states as well as allow dual access to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

My only concern for that the city of Jerusalem needs to be shared. It would be better if the 1947 plan was modified so that both Israel and Palestine would have equal political rights the the city.

Proposed boundaries of the Palestinian and Israeli States as of 2011.
File:Is-wb-gs-gh v3.png

1947 Partition Plan
File:UN Partition Plan For Palestine 1947.png

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Chazan & Project Idea

I really like this article by Naomi Chazan because  I believe she writes it without biting her toungue even though she knows she will receive backlash and hateful comments.  My favorite quote of this article is

"I am all too aware that a word or phrase can touch off a new set of controversies on issues where many seem willfully determined to misunderstand each other."


I feel this summarizes my thoughts over the course of the Armstrong book: it seems as though both sides are perpetually determined to misrepresent the other.


As for my final project, my idea is to interview people of various ages, identities, and walks of life, and ask each of them what they know about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. My objective is to understand how the average American (by using a small sample of approximately 20) understands and interprets the information on the conflict.
I am also interested in understanding what students at Indiana University specifically know in regards to the conflict. Prior to my involvement in the Living Jerusalem Project, I would have been hard pressed to come up with any response to such questions.  I wonder if I am not the only one who scans the international news of this part of the world.
I will conduct interviews based on between five and ten questions that will identical for all subjects. While I intend to understand what people know about the conflict, I will also be interested to understand what questions people come up with themselves and if I am able to stir any interest in the participants.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Chapters 16-18

In these last chapters, Armstrong does a good job of further explaining the conflict as well as trying to finish the book in a manner that is respectful to all sides of the arguments.  This part becomes more interesting to me as she moves into present-day Jerusalem from the 1960's and forward.  I think reading this section gave me a deeper understanding of the conflict because it allowed me to see the continuing frustration of all parties as they were consistently unable to live peacefully.

While it seems that the conflicts in Jerusalem may never end, this final section of the book actually showed me WHY the arguments continue.  There is no good way to section Israel into two separate countries. What about the disparity in natural resources (specifically water) as well as the division of the city of Jerusalem, which is clearly a focal point desired by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

As I consider these chapters with the current Palestinian statehood bid to the United Nations.  Is it possible to section Israel into two equally sustainable states?  As I understand it, the proposition is that the two states would share Jerusalem as their capital.  If this is the case, would anything actually be solved or would the violence be channeled directly into the Holy City?  I don't mean to insinuate that a resolution is impossible, but with centuries worth of grudges, what does it take to put an end to the violence?

The main thing I appreciate about this book is Armstrong's delicacy with *most* subjects and her academic approach to religious topics.  While it can be argued that she may have leaned toward her religious identity, as a Christian/Catholic woman, I believe that she did an excellent job of portraying the material as academic, rather than as religious.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Chapters 14-15

In these chapters, we begin to see the problems arise between the three faiths of Jerusalem.

Armstrong first discusses the meaning of the title of chapter 14, jihad. This word means not only 'holy war,' but also 'struggle' and is used in this meaning in the Quran.  I think it is interesting that Armstrong titled Chapter 14 this because it seems as though the initial unveiling of the struggle occurs in this chapter. I think it was a wise move of her to incorporate this title in with the book but I can't help but wonder how this would come across to members of the Jewish and Christian faiths in modern-day Jerusalem.  Is something as small as the title of a chapter capable of irritating these believers? Who knows.

The primary leader at this time in Jerusalem was Saladin, who had led the city safely during the Crusades.  Armstrong says "he had always granted a truce when the Crusaders had asked for one; he had, for the most part, treated his prisoners fairly and kindly," (295).  This description reminds me of the Muslim ideals that were previously mentioned; how a Muslim should be kind and at peace with those around him.

One of his first decisions was to purify the Haram, which had been contaminated by the Templars' "latrines & furniture" so that it could be made ready for Friday Prayers.  At this point, the city was becoming readily known as a "Muslim" city, something that must have infuriated those that felt they, too, had a right to the area.  An act that took me by surprise was the remodeling of the Church of St. Anna into a mosque, because it seems like a political disaster that almost certainly led to hostility from the Christians.

However, Armstrong later mentions that the ideas of Saladin did not include pushing the Jews and Christians out from the city.  It is an interesting notion that while he claimed to have wanted all three faiths to peacefully reside in Jerusalem, he was destroying the very essences of their connection to the divine (in this case, the Church).

I also found it interesting that the Christians of Spain were pushing out and exiling the Jews of the area and considered them to be foreigners in their own country.  This entire time period seems like a bunch of hostile people just taking their problems out on whoever is immediately available.

Just by reading these chapters, one can see the way unintentional acts of political bullying led to a hostility towards all religions but your own.  Modern day conflicts in Jerusalem seem to be a direct result of the actions made as early as the Crusades.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Chapters 11-13

Being that my previous knowledge of the Muslim religion is nothing at all, I felt interested to learn more on the topic and enjoyed learning the foundations of the religion.  The majority of my response will be on the teachings of Muhammad, as his work is what was most interesting to me.

In the beginning of the chapters, Armstrong tells how the religion of Islam initially had no direct prophet or revelation of their own, and that because of this, the Jews and Christians of the region pretty much dismissed the faith at first.  Muhammed felt a divine voice inside him that inspired him to write the Quran for a total of twenty-two years, a feat in itself.  I had never really considered the creation of the Quran before and found myself slightly surprised that one man wrote the entire scripture, as many different voices are present in the Bible.  I also noticed that I am constantly comparing both the Jewish and Muslim faiths to my own faith, so sorry if that annoys anyone. 

From what I understand, the most important thing about being Muslim is the relationship one has with God rather than any relationships with earthly locations or persons.  I enjoy that Armstrong discusses the importance of "sharing your wealth" in the religion and to take care of the poor and then explained that this concept was applicable during the time period because Mecca was "in the throes of a capitalistic revolution in which the more vulnerable members of Muhammad's tribe of Qureish had been pushed aside in the stampede for wealth," (218).  I find this to be an excellent concept for a faith and also reminds me of the Christian tradition of giving a offering during church service.

I tried to take a more active approach and looked up some pictures relating to the faith.  I really liked this picture of the Dome, the third holiest place in the religion.  This architecture is beautiful and really appealed to me in this beautiful picture.
picture credit here: http://basilspage.blogspot.com/2010/08/3-holy-places-of-islam.html

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Weblog #3

This is supposed to be us discussing the image for the class blog, but I don't see a final draft up yet.  I do like Amber's idea of the panoramic header of images for the class blog.  I think that this would be a good way to incorporate neutral images that would allow for academic discussion without being too hectic or overbearing.

Reading Chapters 8-10

In this section, I was again struck by the magnitude of importance that this Temple reflected for the Jews of Jerusalem. One quote, on page 155, says that because the Temple had been destroyed,

"the whole of nature should mourn: now that the Temple had gone, there was no need for the earth to bring forth a harvest nor the vine to yield grapes; the heavens should withhold their dew and the sun dim its rays: For why should light rise again Where the light of Zion is darkened?"

This is an incredible description of the entire community feeling constantly at mourn to the point where one man believed that nature, too, should participate in the mourning period for the loss of their sacred space. It saddens me to consider the despair and deep sense of loss the Jewish people must have felt during this time of rebuilding.  Armstrong mentions that many Jews lost their faith as a direct result of the  destruction of the Temple.  Without having a sacred space in which to share and profess their beliefs, some members of the religion felt unable to continue to practice Judaism.  This is an interesting take on just how vital a sacred space can be for the human need for practicality.  Without a direct link to the spiritual world, some Jews lost touch altogether and left the faith.

I had always heard of the tradition of Jewish people turning towards Jerusalem to pray, but in page 157, when Armstrong cites the reasoning behind this, I felt an academic knowledge of the subject that I had not felt before.  She says that the rabbis "drew up legislation to discourage emigration from Palestine and demanded that the Eighteen Benedictions be recited three times a day, in place of the Morning and Evening Sacrifice. Jews must recite these prayers wherever they were: if they were traveling, they should dismount and turn their faces in the direction of Jerusalem, or at least direct their hearts toward the ruined Devir," (157).  This is an incredible insight to the Jewish faith and makes sense that the tradition lasted until the modern day; because no matter how far away the Jews got from Jerusalem, their hearts and minds were always in touch with that lost Sacred Temple of Jerusalem.  This is such a powerful gesture.

It is also interesting that in these chapters we begin to see Armstrong's take on the separation of the Jewish and Christian identities. She gave the description of Jesus as "'the new Adam' who had given humanity a fresh start,"(155).  I find this an interesting comparison because in the Christian faith we are taught that no one is of comparison to Jesus, God, or the Holy Spirit, so it becomes interesting to consider a comparison between the Messiah and a man thru an academic lens. 

I enjoy the discussion of Luke, Matthew, and John from the Gospel. Armstrong describes Luke as someone who didn't want Christianity to cut off its links with Jerusalem and the Jewish faith.  However, she says that according to their teachings in the Bible, both Matthew and John were far less positive about their relations with Jewish people and Jerusalem itself. 

I am enjoying this section more than others because she introduces more characters, from the Bible, that I am familiar with.  I like hearing her perspective on the men that I have always unquestionably believed since Sunday school.  It feels like a good test to my faith and a good academic experience to read this book and hear the stories from a different perspective.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Weblog 2


This is my random table that I use for holding things that don't go anywhere else. I love candles and LOVE flowers so I have them all over the place. Additionally, I enjoy reading and keep TIME magazines for when I'm bored.


Some decorations.  I bought the painting of the Dalai Lama from a Bloomington artist off of Kirkwood. I keep pictures of my friends up and also have more flowers.  I am Christian but the picture is neat looking so I snagged it for 10 dollars.


My cupboard is filled with ramen, mac & cheese, ravioli and various other quick fixes.  I work all the time so I try to buy meals that I can prepare on the run.


Some movies I like.  I don't enjoy scary movies but I like action/adventure movies like "The Departed" and "Carriers".  I also like romance movies and comedies.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Reading Response 3

Chapters 5-7

In this section, Armstrong continues to delve deeper into the history of the city of Jerusalem and begins to become more in depth as to the different leaders that represented the Judaeans.  In chapter five, Armstrong includes the quote "the people of God were scattered in alien territory," (79), referring to the land of Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed.  This sentence made me think of the discussion in class when someone pointed out that the reason humans want something on Earth that relates to divinity is because the divine world seems so far away and it's human nature to want tangible evidence of the divine existence.  The destruction of the Temple must have been Earth shattering to the Jewish people of Jerusalem who spent a majority of their time worshipping and reflecting there.  Also, Armstrong later says that "the history of religion shows that in times of crisis and upheaval, people turn more readily to myth than to more rational forms of faith," (82).  This quote again brought me back to our discussion of the word 'myth' and gave me a better understanding of what Armstrong means when she uses the word.  She doesn't mean something negative, like most Western readers would think, but something that can't be explained through commonplace actions, such as attending a service or reading a religious book.  Instead, she says that the majority of people in history are more apt to turn to prayer, reflection and meditation, all acts which are encompassed in her use of the word 'myth.'  This portion of the reading was vital to my understanding of her reference to the word and gave me more insight to her understanding of the word.
I also found it somewhat of a foreshadow that Haggai's statement, "don't rebuild the walls of Jerusalem so that the city can account for the vast amount of people who would shortly flock to live there," (94).  Reading this in the present day, it seems that no amount of extending the area within the walls of Jerusalem would have been enough to satisfy the needs of the groups of Muslim, Jewish and Christian parties.  I recognize that the modern boundaries of Jerusalem are much larger than those of the earlier times but could any amount of space actually end the turmoil in modern Jerusalem?
It is interesting to read Armstrong's description of the Greek influences on ancient Syria as comparable to the current appeal of Western culture to the modern developing world.  I find it interesting that the heavily cultured Jewish man named Joseph was able to not only collect taxes on behalf of the Greek world, but also to transform that foreign wealth into Jewish prosperity as well.  It is also interesting to read of the divide between the Jewish parties that embraced the Greek influence against those who clung to their "old traditions centered on the temple," (106).  This divide continues to show itself as the Greek visitors to Jerusalem were only allowed to the outer court, usually preserved for the unclean, because the Jews of Jerusalem did not believe that these outsiders were 'clean' and therefore were forbidden from areas of direct contact with 'holiness.'
I also find it interested that once the Greeks decided to create a polis out of Jerusalem, they placed the gymnasium so close to the Temple, knowingly disappointing the conservative Jews who considered the Temple invalid unless completely surrounded by a holy and clean Jerusalem.  However, Armstrong states that most of the people of Jerusalem temporarily began to see Greek culture as something that could mesh with Jewish ideas, rather than as a harmful intrusion upon the city.  Then the Temple was raided by an angry king who forever lost the trust and respect of the Jewish people.  Antiochus then proceeded to outlaw the practice of Jewish faith in Judah, an act that could not be forgiven.  Examples of this king's harm to the religion occur again and again throughout the book and lead me to understand the fear that must have captured the Jewish people and once again allowed them to cling to their faith.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Reading Response 2

I am still waiting on my book in the mail so I am doing the best I can at reading online, which is nearly impossible for me. I have gathered that Armstrong does a great job at explaining the history of Jerusalem in a way that allows for even the most confused student to get a grasp of the intense and interesting history of Jerusalem. I also found it interesting that she included stories from the Bible, as most academic works leave out religion.  This is almost to be expected when discussing Jerusalem because the city is SO deeply rooted in religion.  I very much liked how Armstrong began the book, with the sentence "In Jerusalem... history is a demension of the present." This phrase astounded me and led me to consider the reference of how influenced Jerusalem is by its history.  Day to day life is completely interwoven with the past and that entire thought compels me to believe that Jerusalem is a city that is entirely respectful and knowing of what it has endured.  In the United States, on a day such as September 11th, I can relate to history being a part of the present when I consider how overwhelming the day is.  A random thought, I'll admit, but it was the first thing that popped into my head when considering her statement.  It seems as though the entire city of Jerusalem is deeply connected with the past so much so that it is even referenced as the 'Old City'.  Her book is somewhat slow at times but I appreciate that she discusses the history at a slow pace and allows for people to learn with their reading rather than confusing her readers.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Reading Response #1

I really enjoyed these readings simply because it feels like I now know something about the issues we are discussing.  These basic, fundamental outlines of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict within Jerusalem allowed me to feel like someone who can actually add to the conversation rather than being completely confused.  In the Dumper article, it struck me how much emphasis was put on the fact that Jerusalem was being argued over not because of any natural resource or economic matter, but solely on the fact that Jerusalem is the homeland of multiple religions that all feel as though they deserve a stake in the city.  I also found it interesting that Dumper included some of the reasons for the city's connection with the different religions.  For example, he cited that the Christian devotion to the city was originally founded in the visit to the city by Queen Helena, mother of the first Christian emperor of Rome.  I enjoyed this reasoning because it completely ignores the Biblical references that allowed for members of the Christian religion to feel at home in Jerusalem.  In the Pressman article, I enjoyed the way he outlined the movement of Mid European Jews (Zionists) into the Holy Land and how the British government, in the form of the Balfour Declaration, supported and encouraged this mass movement of Jewish people.  I can now understand how this mass movement of Jews into the Palestinian land must have felt like a severe encroachment to the Arab inhabitants.  Following this movement, the Arab militias revolted against British rule in 1936.  At this point, tensions have been increasing and it is understandable that the Arab people must have felt as though they had no choice but to fight in order to protect what could be taken from them.  I also appreciated how Pressman continued on with the history and showed how UNSCOP tried to split Palestine into two separate states, giving the majority of the land to the Jewish state.  It seems strange to me that they made the separation unequal and allowed for the remaining three percent of the area to be an international zone.  This makes me wonder why the UNSCOP allowed for an unequal devision and if it had something to do with geographical borders or some other form of reasoning.  The next interesting argument is when Egypt came into the picture and encouraged Arab unity and somehow ended up creating yet another dispute between the Palestinians and Israelis. Israeli, British and French militias fought against the Egyptian government which was lead by an Arab leader who encouraged Arab unity against those attacking Egypt. This obviously drove another wedge in between the two major inhabitants of Israel and gave them just one more reason to hate each other.

This whole conflict is just beginning to unfold for me so please let me know if I have misunderstood anything.  I am so much more interested in the topic now that I have some sense of understanding the Arab and Israeli conflict and hope to become a more educated member of the class.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Weblog Journal Assignment 1

This is my first blog ever so I am kind of unsure of what I'm doing but here goes nothing!  I am very excited for this course because I am planning to go to Law School and study International Law and I feel courses discussing various conflicts and current events are crucial to my success.  Being that I know literally nothing of the current conflicts in Jerusalem, I am excited to learn and grow as both a student and a prospective attorney.  I believe the outcome of this class will be a deepened understanding of the areas of turmoil within Israel as well as opening up insight as to where members of the class stand in the various arguments.  I plan to use the blogs to comment on classmates' blog with my reactions to their thoughts, my disagreements as well as with encouragement.  Coming in to this class, my views on the city of Jerusalem are solely founded on my upbringing as a Christian.  I have found that many of my opinions on issues affecting my life are commonly rooted in my beliefs as a Christian as well as my lack of knowledge of other religions and other cultures.  I got to thinking today and my first time actually meeting someone that was/had any connection with the Muslim religion was when the boy in class stated that he had practiced as a Muslim.  This realization came as a shock to me because it makes me realize how little I know of the world and how easy it is to feel like what I see in front of me is all that there is to know.  I am most excited for this class because I know it will open my eyes to the other views and beliefs of members of both my classroom and the city of Jerusalem.  After reading some of the articles, it amazed me just how much arguing and bickering that took place over such petty issues.  For example, in Suad Amiry's article, 'Researching East Jerusalem,' she addresses a disagreement over who would take care of the shipping.  It amazes me that a tension could be so tangible as to contribute to issues that seem so minute.  In attempting to represent the entire city that is Jerusalem, the team had to focus on all areas of the city, not just the view of Jerusalem from one particular group.  This must have been hard considering the very diverse beliefs and cultures that all call Jerusalem home.  These articles were all fascinating and informative and helped me gain some insight to the current conditions of the residents of Jerusalem.