Website run by academics and activists aims to improve communication and negotiation between warring lands
Syrians and Israelis are crossing one of the Middle East's great divides to co-operate – in cyberspace – to explore ways to advance peace between their countries.
The groundbreaking OneMideast.org website aims to bring together prominent Israelis and Syrian bloggers, academics and experts seeking ways to break the stubborn impasse in negotiations.
It will host the first Syrian-Israeli public online dialogue of its kind – a remarkable step for two countries which have been in a state of war for more than 60 years. The border between them – a UN-monitored ceasefire line on the heavily fortified Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967 – is closed. Nationals from each country are banned from visiting the other; there are no direct communications. But the authorities in Damascus have tolerated previous ad hoc internet exchanges and are thought to be happy with the launch of this permanent platform.
The Guardian
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For the last year, academics, political analysts, journalists, businesspeople and consultants from both sides have been debating the issues in a private online forum. They produced a list of all possible objections to peace from both sides and voted for the 20 most commonly encountered in Syrian and Israeli societies. The group then produced effective counter-arguments to each of them.
ReplyDeleteI visited the blog and had a look at the arguments and counterargument and I'm literally shocked by the inanity of the Israeli points. It's mind numbing. Exemple: "We will never leave the Golan because Israelis love to visit it. It's our tuscanny." (summerising)
ReplyDeleteOr : "It's historically "Israeli"!! "We won it in war. Syria shouldn't have attacked us!"Etc...
In any case if you want to have an insight into the Israeli mindset, it's a great opportunity. Anyone with illusions about what Israel represents should have a look.
<span>The Israelis are in denial and the clock is ticking.</span>
ReplyDeleteWhere is a link to the 20 objections?
ReplyDelete