Posted on 09/16/2009 3:17:18 PM PDT by Ari Bussel
Can Wine and Fruit Promote Truth? By Norma Zager
“That's what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, that decency will somehow triumph in the end.” Lise Hand
In today’s world it seems more difficult than ever to maintain a civil discourse.
The meeting of minds is often no more civil than ten rounds at Madison Square Garden, with all the blood and sweat necessary to exert a knockout punch.
The other evening, Soraya and Isaac Nazarian invited us to meet Israel’s Kadima party leader and head of opposition Tzipi Livni. Until earlier this year, Livni was Israel’s Foreign Minister and the second in command in the Israeli government.
I had never personally met Livni and was quite anxious to hear her thoughts firsthand. I was looking forward to the opportunity to meet and speak with her one on one.
Good food, wine and dates the size of a Buick. Guests were relaxed and eager to hear Livni speak.
Watching television, viewing politicians doing their song and dance routines for their constituents or reading reporters’ views of a particular incident color the human experience and mask true intention.
I am a firm believer only through personal contact can one hope to understand the nature of another person.
Livni is an interesting and powerful woman. Her physical presence is impressive and her history as well. She is strong, yet smiles easily and sincerely.
The Former Israeli Foreign Minister is the daughter of Irgun (underground) fighters and was herself a member of the Mossad (Israeli intelligence services). After serving numerous cabinet posts, she had arrived at her current position as Kadima party head.
Livni’s passion for her country, her vision for Israel and her personal roadmap for peace inspire discussion and did so that evening.
Her thoughts on Israel’s need for two states in order to survive as a Jewish Homeland and sincere belief the government must not abandon hope for a rational peace partner are admirable if a tad optimistic.
Evidence bears out the fact there is a distinct Arab mentality. Just as Iran is playing the world like a Stradivarius, letting the clock run out as it prepares for nuclear holocaust, the Palestinians stall for time not as a ploy to save lives but preparing to more efficiently take them.
I was struck not as much by the questions she answered, as the ones she didn’t. When I asked if Israel could abide a divided Jerusalem, I received no explicit answer, save how deeply vested she was in the holiness of the city and how much it meant to her personally. When asked what Israel expected President Obama to do to promote Israel’s interests, no response again.
This was quite revealing.
Of course, when bombarded with questions it is not unusual to forget a few.
I don’t believe for a minute Livni was avoiding a direct answer, but she clearly understands there is no real answer, at least not yet.
When asked by a passionate and heartfelt Dina Leeds, a philanthropist and advocate for Israel, how Israel could justify giving away land that rightfully belonged to the Jewish people, Livni’s own passion exploded. A former diplomat and still a politician, perhaps this should not have happened.
Deep feelings exist, answers do not.
That is not important. What is imperative is that the questions are asked, people allow discourse and discuss vital differences in a personal and agreeable way. The more people are allowed to participate, the greater the chance for an exceptional solution.
Regrettably, these “meet and greet” events are usually quite exclusive and that is unfortunate. Despite the prominence of the speaker and the attendees, it would behoove the State of Israel to allow visitors as we have had recently – from Ambassador Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the UN, General Yossi Peled, senior minister in the current government and Head of Opposition Livni, all within a ten day period – open to the general public and not only to the privileged few.
Israel has an opportunity to enlist the opinions and thoughts of Jewish people throughout the Diaspora with a vested interest in and passion for the Jewish State.
Watching the Knesset argue, yell and bark at one another solves nothing.
A cross section of Jewish people speaking with Israel’s leaders in a causal and comfortable manner elevates the dialogue to a constructive discourse with potential positive benefits.
Through conversation comes compromise. Good ideas on every side can be weighed and explored until meshed together in a creative and improved resolution.
I believe every negotiation can be successful if a few simple rules are followed.
Civility is crucial. Discounting another’s opinion ultimately diminishes one’s own. Begin with what you have in common and build on what unites, not divides you.
Everyone must be willing to leave the table both a little happy and a little disappointed.
Participants should be allowed to raise three points. The points should be individually weighed, discussed and compromised upon until acceptable to all parties before moving forward.
At the end of the day problems are solved, feelings remain in tact and civilization is better served.
When confronted with the passion of a Livni, her sincere desire to bring peace and her belief her roadmap is the one to travel, I am saddened by the fact everyone believes their way is the only right way.
As long as no one is willing to discuss options that may be new or untried, how can there be creative and successful solutions? Failure to believe in a positive outcome defeats the process even before it begins.
Livni’s thoughts and passion inspired me, Dina Leeds’ did as well. Yet they are further apart than together, save on the most important issue: Israel must survive. That must be the starting and ending point of all arguments.
I am heart broken to think there can be no meeting of the minds or compromise when there is such genuine sincerity contained in their mission. We all want to believe we are right, and many times we are, but only partly. Someone else’s right may hold the key to a perfect whole.
Bringing everyone together with good food and wine promotes productive discussion and was a positive step toward our own understanding and mutual respect. We need a great deal more meetings and conversations by invested, dedicated people before the job can be done or the wars won.
The true objective of internal discourse is to survive together – Jews, Israelis and lovers of the Free World and the freedoms it affords us. Alone we will not be able to find the answers that may enable us to do so. We must work together. Let us pray the dialogue continues.
Resorting to man’s tribal mentality and brutality cannot be considered a roadmap to peace. Believing murder is the only option when peaceful discussions fail, leaves little hope for any resolution. And is that not something we can all agree to be passionate about?
### In the series “Postcards from Israel,” Ari Bussel and Norma Zager invite readers throughout the world to join them as they present reports from Israel as seen by two sets of eyes: Bussel’s on the ground, Zager’s counter-point from home. Israel and the United States are inter-related - the two countries we hold dearest to our hearts - and so is this “point - counter-point” presentation that has, since 2008, become part of our lives. Feel free to share with others.
© Postcards from Home, September, 2009 Contact: aribussel@gmail.com
In vino, veritas!
okay,now I know what to avoid ,seriously.
Heh heh! ;)
A lot of fruits are whining about racism, and its not true. I guess the premise is wrong
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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