Palestinians&Israelis: subjective perceptions, objectives realities | Tony Klug | TEDxBathUniversity

hello everyone the title of this talk is

hello everyone the title of this talk is palestinians and israelis subjective

palestinians and israelis subjective

palestinians and israelis subjective perceptions objective realities and I’ll

perceptions objective realities and I’ll

perceptions objective realities and I’ll continue with the question how to bring

continue with the question how to bring

continue with the question how to bring to an end for seemingly endless

to an end for seemingly endless

to an end for seemingly endless conflicts involving Palestinians and

conflicts involving Palestinians and

conflicts involving Palestinians and Israelis it’s a simple the hard part is

Israelis it’s a simple the hard part is

Israelis it’s a simple the hard part is the other side in reality of decades of

the other side in reality of decades of

the other side in reality of decades of bloody combat and failed international

bloody combat and failed international

bloody combat and failed international diplomacy no one really has a clue about

diplomacy no one really has a clue about

diplomacy no one really has a clue about what to do next I shall come back to

what to do next I shall come back to

what to do next I shall come back to this with the final truth or my first

this with the final truth or my first

this with the final truth or my first serious encountered with this tragic

serious encountered with this tragic

serious encountered with this tragic issue was on the 5th of June 1967 when

issue was on the 5th of June 1967 when

issue was on the 5th of June 1967 when war abruptly broke out between Israel

war abruptly broke out between Israel

war abruptly broke out between Israel and neighbouring Arab states it so

and neighbouring Arab states it so

and neighbouring Arab states it so happens I was president of the Students

happens I was president of the Students

happens I was president of the Students Union at the University of Birmingham

Union at the University of Birmingham

Union at the University of Birmingham and that I arrived at the sphere at the

and that I arrived at the sphere at the

and that I arrived at the sphere at the Union Building that day I was waylaid by

Union Building that day I was waylaid by

Union Building that day I was waylaid by a Huracan of student activists of every

a Huracan of student activists of every

a Huracan of student activists of every persuasion all eager to educate me on

persuasion all eager to educate me on

persuasion all eager to educate me on the rights and Long’s of the conflict it

the rights and Long’s of the conflict it

the rights and Long’s of the conflict it was an intense immersion course by the

was an intense immersion course by the

was an intense immersion course by the end of the week I was so much better

end of the week I was so much better

end of the week I was so much better informed and so much more confused later

informed and so much more confused later

informed and so much more confused later I got caught up in national student

I got caught up in national student

I got caught up in national student politics of any respected president and

politics of any respected president and

politics of any respected president and international student politics where

international student politics where

international student politics where Israel Palestine pervaded every agenda

Israel Palestine pervaded every agenda

Israel Palestine pervaded every agenda as itself else over the years I have

as itself else over the years I have

as itself else over the years I have acquired a close affinity with both

acquired a close affinity with both

acquired a close affinity with both peoples and they remained heavily

peoples and they remained heavily

peoples and they remained heavily embroiled with the issue I know how

embroiled with the issue I know how

embroiled with the issue I know how complicated it can on the scene but I

complicated it can on the scene but I

complicated it can on the scene but I don’t think I have come across anything

don’t think I have come across anything

don’t think I have come across anything that provides more insight than the

that provides more insight than the

that provides more insight than the simple adage attributed to Abraham

simple adage attributed to Abraham

simple adage attributed to Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War

Lincoln during the American Civil War

Lincoln during the American Civil War that goes something like this if you

that goes something like this if you

that goes something like this if you were born where they were born and you

were born where they were born and you

were born where they were born and you were taught what they were taught you

were taught what they were taught you

were taught what they were taught you believe what they believe

believe what they believe

believe what they believe well for extort of a complete general

well for extort of a complete general

well for extort of a complete general theory he goes some way to explaining

theory he goes some way to explaining

theory he goes some way to explaining not just what we believe but why we

not just what we believe but why we

not just what we believe but why we believe it why we whoever we happened to

believe it why we whoever we happened to

believe it why we whoever we happened to be he take up certain positions and hold

be he take up certain positions and hold

be he take up certain positions and hold them so fervently

them so fervently

them so fervently but what would we believe if we held

but what would we believe if we held

but what would we believe if we held from the other side of the track what

from the other side of the track what

from the other side of the track what facts would we then be predisposed to

facts would we then be predisposed to

facts would we then be predisposed to accept of self-evident truths and which

accept of self-evident truths and which

accept of self-evident truths and which ones would we be inclined summarily to

ones would we be inclined summarily to

ones would we be inclined summarily to dismiss as propaganda lies none of this

dismiss as propaganda lies none of this

dismiss as propaganda lies none of this is to suggest that that’s a very

is to suggest that that’s a very

is to suggest that that’s a very subjective nor that they were not

subjective nor that they were not

subjective nor that they were not genuine questions of historical

genuine questions of historical

genuine questions of historical interpretation just this galaxy or human

interpretation just this galaxy or human

interpretation just this galaxy or human rights of course there are what is

rights of course there are what is

rights of course there are what is suggested though is that if progress is

suggested though is that if progress is

suggested though is that if progress is ever to be made there is a vital need to

ever to be made there is a vital need to

ever to be made there is a vital need to think beyond our comfort zones for we

think beyond our comfort zones for we

think beyond our comfort zones for we are trapped in and by Eero narratives

are trapped in and by Eero narratives

are trapped in and by Eero narratives and we devote enormous resources to

and we devote enormous resources to

and we devote enormous resources to justify the reinforcing their own

justify the reinforcing their own

justify the reinforcing their own perspectives and simultaneously to

perspectives and simultaneously to

perspectives and simultaneously to belittling or ridiculing the others this

belittling or ridiculing the others this

belittling or ridiculing the others this is not the prerogative of any one side

is not the prerogative of any one side

is not the prerogative of any one side all sides to it self-appointed experts

all sides to it self-appointed experts

all sides to it self-appointed experts churn out reams of supposedly scholarly

churn out reams of supposedly scholarly

churn out reams of supposedly scholarly research that prove the normal density

research that prove the normal density

research that prove the normal density of the nation boodle people move the

of the nation boodle people move the

of the nation boodle people move the other and the norm

other and the norm

other and the norm validity of their cherished claims some

validity of their cherished claims some

validity of their cherished claims some portray the other side as innately

portray the other side as innately

portray the other side as innately wicked but these self-serving terms are

wicked but these self-serving terms are

wicked but these self-serving terms are completely without value they had

completely without value they had

completely without value they had nothing to the sum total of human

nothing to the sum total of human

nothing to the sum total of human knowledge or wisdom once they demonize

knowledge or wisdom once they demonize

knowledge or wisdom once they demonize all peoples falsify the histories

all peoples falsify the histories

all peoples falsify the histories disparage their suffering deepen the

disparage their suffering deepen the

disparage their suffering deepen the hatred and poison the air the solutions

hatred and poison the air the solutions

hatred and poison the air the solutions invariably involve the capitulation or

invariably involve the capitulation or

invariably involve the capitulation or subordination of the adversary they

subordination of the adversary they

subordination of the adversary they offer no real solutions they merely

offer no real solutions they merely

offer no real solutions they merely condemn us all to eternal conflict

condemn us all to eternal conflict

condemn us all to eternal conflict indeed there is a serious risk of this

indeed there is a serious risk of this

indeed there is a serious risk of this as such a future is not preordained

as such a future is not preordained

as such a future is not preordained Israelis and Palestinians clashed in

Israelis and Palestinians clashed in

Israelis and Palestinians clashed in modern times

modern times

modern times not because of ancient idea

not because of ancient idea

not because of ancient idea people or religious disputes but because

people or religious disputes but because

people or religious disputes but because they simul taneous li aspired to the

they simul taneous li aspired to the

they simul taneous li aspired to the safety for territory on which to

safety for territory on which to

safety for territory on which to exercise their social determination this

exercise their social determination this

exercise their social determination this is the root of the conflict the Bissell

is the root of the conflict the Bissell

is the root of the conflict the Bissell product of generations of virulent

product of generations of virulent

product of generations of virulent European anti-semitism at home and

European anti-semitism at home and

European anti-semitism at home and rampant imperialism abroad everything

rampant imperialism abroad everything

rampant imperialism abroad everything else has been grafted on retrospectively

else has been grafted on retrospectively

else has been grafted on retrospectively in the early 1970s on embarking of a

in the early 1970s on embarking of a

in the early 1970s on embarking of a doctoral thesis on the Israeli

doctoral thesis on the Israeli

doctoral thesis on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank I agreed

occupation of the West Bank I agreed

occupation of the West Bank I agreed with my supervisor to write a short

with my supervisor to write a short

with my supervisor to write a short history of a conflict as the

history of a conflict as the

history of a conflict as the introductory chapter he stressed the

introductory chapter he stressed the

introductory chapter he stressed the need for it to be objective even-handed

need for it to be objective even-handed

need for it to be objective even-handed partial Ernst and warned against being

partial Ernst and warned against being

partial Ernst and warned against being swayed by the emotions and passions of

swayed by the emotions and passions of

swayed by the emotions and passions of either side you know the sort of thing

either side you know the sort of thing

either side you know the sort of thing but I soon found I could not make even

but I soon found I could not make even

but I soon found I could not make even the most basic facts it’s still one

the most basic facts it’s still one

the most basic facts it’s still one enough to get them down on paper then

enough to get them down on paper then

enough to get them down on paper then clear my Eureka moment

clear my Eureka moment

clear my Eureka moment the realization that what I was trying

the realization that what I was trying

the realization that what I was trying to do was not achievable it wasn’t one

to do was not achievable it wasn’t one

to do was not achievable it wasn’t one history but two discrete histories

history but two discrete histories

history but two discrete histories stemming from two distinct peoples with

stemming from two distinct peoples with

stemming from two distinct peoples with quite different pasts whose destinies

quite different pasts whose destinies

quite different pasts whose destinies happened to can I at the same moment of

happened to can I at the same moment of

happened to can I at the same moment of time so with some trepidation I adopted

time so with some trepidation I adopted

time so with some trepidation I adopted an entirely different approach one that

an entirely different approach one that

an entirely different approach one that himself seen the conflict as the

himself seen the conflict as the

himself seen the conflict as the protagonists themselves forage

protagonists themselves forage

protagonists themselves forage subjectively through their eyes each in

subjectively through their eyes each in

subjectively through their eyes each in turn

turn

turn lutely imbalances and emotions and

lutely imbalances and emotions and

lutely imbalances and emotions and historical traumas even the distortions

historical traumas even the distortions

historical traumas even the distortions fabrications and

fabrications and

fabrications and fictions let be for factual inaccuracies

fictions let be for factual inaccuracies

fictions let be for factual inaccuracies or pathologies and thought to be true

or pathologies and thought to be true

or pathologies and thought to be true are known as potent and factual truths

are known as potent and factual truths

are known as potent and factual truths in the minds of those who believe them

in the minds of those who believe them

in the minds of those who believe them this I found was the only way of making

this I found was the only way of making

this I found was the only way of making sense of disputed facts and coming to

sense of disputed facts and coming to

sense of disputed facts and coming to grips with what made both sides

grips with what made both sides

grips with what made both sides tick of course objective analysis is

tick of course objective analysis is

tick of course objective analysis is vital and only after exploring and

vital and only after exploring and

vital and only after exploring and perfectly the subjective perceptions

perfectly the subjective perceptions

perfectly the subjective perceptions otherwise is what I have bought phony

otherwise is what I have bought phony

otherwise is what I have bought phony objects

objects

objects applying this methodology I authored a

applying this methodology I authored a

applying this methodology I authored a pamphlet Attell to people’s published in

pamphlet Attell to people’s published in

pamphlet Attell to people’s published in January 1973 which mapped out the

January 1973 which mapped out the

January 1973 which mapped out the principle narratives and concluded the

principle narratives and concluded the

principle narratives and concluded the keys resolving the conflict was the

keys resolving the conflict was the

keys resolving the conflict was the creation of an independent Palestinian

creation of an independent Palestinian

creation of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank in Gaza Strip

state on the West Bank in Gaza Strip

state on the West Bank in Gaza Strip alongside Israel what in later years

alongside Israel what in later years

alongside Israel what in later years came to be known as the two-state

came to be known as the two-state

came to be known as the two-state solution it was plain to me that both

solution it was plain to me that both

solution it was plain to me that both peoples overwhelmingly wanted them at

peoples overwhelmingly wanted them at

peoples overwhelmingly wanted them at her space and the not to settle for

her space and the not to settle for

her space and the not to settle for anything less I could see no other way

anything less I could see no other way

anything less I could see no other way of accommodating and riku sightings they

of accommodating and riku sightings they

of accommodating and riku sightings they common basic minimum irreducible

common basic minimum irreducible

common basic minimum irreducible aspirations to illustrate what follows

aspirations to illustrate what follows

aspirations to illustrate what follows is a brief attempt to sketch the tour

is a brief attempt to sketch the tour

is a brief attempt to sketch the tour the two core perspectives

the two core perspectives

the two core perspectives although festively condensing them in

although festively condensing them in

although festively condensing them in this way inevitably carries the risk of

this way inevitably carries the risk of

this way inevitably carries the risk of doing them an injustice it makes sense

doing them an injustice it makes sense

doing them an injustice it makes sense chronologically to start with the

chronologically to start with the

chronologically to start with the Israeli Jewish perspective and then move

Israeli Jewish perspective and then move

Israeli Jewish perspective and then move on to the Palestinian Arab perspective

on to the Palestinian Arab perspective

on to the Palestinian Arab perspective the underlying case or a Jewish homeland

the underlying case or a Jewish homeland

the underlying case or a Jewish homeland was strikingly if inadvertently put by

was strikingly if inadvertently put by

was strikingly if inadvertently put by the British poet Lord Byron as far back

the British poet Lord Byron as far back

the British poet Lord Byron as far back as 1850 and some of the worst tragedy is

as 1850 and some of the worst tragedy is

as 1850 and some of the worst tragedy is to face the Jewish people including the

to face the Jewish people including the

to face the Jewish people including the Sarris pogroms and the Nazi Holocaust to

Sarris pogroms and the Nazi Holocaust to

Sarris pogroms and the Nazi Holocaust to lay a distance ahead Byron wrote the

lay a distance ahead Byron wrote the

lay a distance ahead Byron wrote the wild out have her nest a fox his cave

wild out have her nest a fox his cave

wild out have her nest a fox his cave mankind the country Israel but the brain

mankind the country Israel but the brain

mankind the country Israel but the brain by either of course he meant the Jewish

by either of course he meant the Jewish

by either of course he meant the Jewish people once the Zionist movement

people once the Zionist movement

people once the Zionist movement eventually came into being however has

eventually came into being however has

eventually came into being however has several decades later all sorts of

several decades later all sorts of

several decades later all sorts of conspiracy theories and malevolent

conspiracy theories and malevolent

conspiracy theories and malevolent intent the fastened onto it might

intent the fastened onto it might

intent the fastened onto it might detractors some of it giving off a

detractors some of it giving off a

detractors some of it giving off a familiar anti-semitic with not so

familiar anti-semitic with not so

familiar anti-semitic with not so different from that which paid the

different from that which paid the

different from that which paid the decisive role in winning so many Jews

decisive role in winning so many Jews

decisive role in winning so many Jews and others designers

and others designers

and others designers cause in the first place conceptually

cause in the first place conceptually

cause in the first place conceptually Zionism for the distressed people’s

Zionism for the distressed people’s

Zionism for the distressed people’s proud of defiant response to centuries

proud of defiant response to centuries

proud of defiant response to centuries of contempt humiliation discrimination

of contempt humiliation discrimination

of contempt humiliation discrimination and periodic bouts of military

and periodic bouts of military

and periodic bouts of military suppression Israeli state or there would

suppression Israeli state or there would

suppression Israeli state or there would be Phoenix to rise from the Jewish

be Phoenix to rise from the Jewish

be Phoenix to rise from the Jewish embers still smoldering in the bud

embers still smoldering in the bud

embers still smoldering in the bud Souter of another continent the

Souter of another continent the

Souter of another continent the underlying purpose was the affirmative

underlying purpose was the affirmative

underlying purpose was the affirmative one of achieving safety and justice for

one of achieving safety and justice for

one of achieving safety and justice for each lamented people not the negative

each lamented people not the negative

each lamented people not the negative one of doing damage to another people

one of doing damage to another people

one of doing damage to another people yet in the attempt to rectify the

yet in the attempt to rectify the

yet in the attempt to rectify the enduring Jewish calamity the reality as

enduring Jewish calamity the reality as

enduring Jewish calamity the reality as we step out of one pair of shoes and

we step out of one pair of shoes and

we step out of one pair of shoes and step into the other if the damage was

step into the other if the damage was

step into the other if the damage was inflicted on another people on the

inflicted on another people on the

inflicted on another people on the hapless Palestinian Arabs who paid a

hapless Palestinian Arabs who paid a

hapless Palestinian Arabs who paid a heavy price and are still paying it the

heavy price and are still paying it the

heavy price and are still paying it the Palestinians like all colonized peoples

Palestinians like all colonized peoples

Palestinians like all colonized peoples had long yearned for their independence

had long yearned for their independence

had long yearned for their independence free from foreign law elisa find that in

free from foreign law elisa find that in

free from foreign law elisa find that in their case and other people mostly from

their case and other people mostly from

their case and other people mostly from foreign parts were simultaneously laying

foreign parts were simultaneously laying

foreign parts were simultaneously laying claim to the same land naturally a

claim to the same land naturally a

claim to the same land naturally a palestinian resisted any people would

palestinian resisted any people would

palestinian resisted any people would have resisted the palestinians in like

have resisted the palestinians in like

have resisted the palestinians in like fashion did not set out to damage anyone

fashion did not set out to damage anyone

fashion did not set out to damage anyone but a spanner to what they felt was

but a spanner to what they felt was

but a spanner to what they felt was rightfully theirs displaced dispossessed

rightfully theirs displaced dispossessed

rightfully theirs displaced dispossessed and deserted they were among the

and deserted they were among the

and deserted they were among the principal losers in the geopolitical

principal losers in the geopolitical

principal losers in the geopolitical lottery that followed the tolerance of

lottery that followed the tolerance of

lottery that followed the tolerance of the second world war

the second world war

the second world war their original therapy was in essence to

their original therapy was in essence to

their original therapy was in essence to be in the way of another distress

be in the way of another distress

be in the way of another distress people’s frantic survival strategy

people’s frantic survival strategy

people’s frantic survival strategy fueled by an industrial chemist

fueled by an industrial chemist

fueled by an industrial chemist authority palestinians bore no

authority palestinians bore no

authority palestinians bore no responsibility but everything that has

responsibility but everything that has

responsibility but everything that has happened since then is in some way a

happened since then is in some way a

happened since then is in some way a consequence of this fateful clash of

consequence of this fateful clash of

consequence of this fateful clash of historical forces as these renditions

historical forces as these renditions

historical forces as these renditions signify the corp a screech sign has its

signify the corp a screech sign has its

signify the corp a screech sign has its own internal justification which is not

own internal justification which is not

own internal justification which is not snuffed out because the other side also

snuffed out because the other side also

snuffed out because the other side also has in its own terms

has in its own terms

has in its own terms a compelling case forty point is on i

a compelling case forty point is on i

a compelling case forty point is on i still not cannot see a call

still not cannot see a call

still not cannot see a call alternative to self-determination and

alternative to self-determination and

alternative to self-determination and statehood in one form or another for

statehood in one form or another for

statehood in one form or another for both peoples as the essential framework

both peoples as the essential framework

both peoples as the essential framework of a settlement since there is very

of a settlement since there is very

of a settlement since there is very little forensic support for anything

little forensic support for anything

little forensic support for anything else

else

else most of the myriad one-stage internal

most of the myriad one-stage internal

most of the myriad one-stage internal teams are ill-thought-out unrealistic

teams are ill-thought-out unrealistic

teams are ill-thought-out unrealistic and often contradictory and would deny

and often contradictory and would deny

and often contradictory and would deny national rights to either open people’s

national rights to either open people’s

national rights to either open people’s thus they are viewed as deeply

thus they are viewed as deeply

thus they are viewed as deeply threatening by one side or the other or

threatening by one side or the other or

threatening by one side or the other or by both sides the more likely

by both sides the more likely

by both sides the more likely alternative to two states by design is

alternative to two states by design is

alternative to two states by design is to States by disaster which make them

to States by disaster which make them

to States by disaster which make them about eventually for a full-scale

about eventually for a full-scale

about eventually for a full-scale Palestinian uprising on the West Bank

Palestinian uprising on the West Bank

Palestinian uprising on the West Bank the bottom line is that it is hard to

the bottom line is that it is hard to

the bottom line is that it is hard to conceive a long-suffering Palestinian

conceive a long-suffering Palestinian

conceive a long-suffering Palestinian Arabs after all they have been through

Arabs after all they have been through

Arabs after all they have been through but just at the hands of the Israeli

but just at the hands of the Israeli

but just at the hands of the Israeli spaniard State at the hands of Arab

spaniard State at the hands of Arab

spaniard State at the hands of Arab states – ever going up their struggle

states – ever going up their struggle

states – ever going up their struggle for independence just as it is hard to

for independence just as it is hard to

for independence just as it is hard to imagine the Israeli Jews after some 2000

imagine the Israeli Jews after some 2000

imagine the Israeli Jews after some 2000 turbulent years ever agreeing to become

turbulent years ever agreeing to become

turbulent years ever agreeing to become a minority game in someone else’s land

a minority game in someone else’s land

a minority game in someone else’s land however this is not to rule out a future

however this is not to rule out a future

however this is not to rule out a future Confederated arrangement for Israel

Confederated arrangement for Israel

Confederated arrangement for Israel Palestine and maybe Jordan – along the

Palestine and maybe Jordan – along the

Palestine and maybe Jordan – along the lines of Benelux but it is instructive

lines of Benelux but it is instructive

lines of Benelux but it is instructive to know that the Constituent states of

to know that the Constituent states of

to know that the Constituent states of Belgium the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Belgium the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Belgium the Netherlands and Luxembourg have retained their official

have retained their official

have retained their official independence and separate identities

independence and separate identities

independence and separate identities national allegiances evidently continue

national allegiances evidently continue

national allegiances evidently continue to have an important appeal this said

to have an important appeal this said

to have an important appeal this said the growth in the number of Israeli

the growth in the number of Israeli

the growth in the number of Israeli settlers on the West Bank for fewer than

settlers on the West Bank for fewer than

settlers on the West Bank for fewer than 5000 in the early 1970s to several

5000 in the early 1970s to several

5000 in the early 1970s to several hundred thousand today come with the

hundred thousand today come with the

hundred thousand today come with the strong annexation as tendencies of the

strong annexation as tendencies of the

strong annexation as tendencies of the current Israeli government is rendering

current Israeli government is rendering

current Israeli government is rendering the two-state outcome less feasible by

the two-state outcome less feasible by

the two-state outcome less feasible by today if we lose the only plausible

today if we lose the only plausible

today if we lose the only plausible solution we will indeed have to contend

solution we will indeed have to contend

solution we will indeed have to contend with the situation of perpetual conflict

with the situation of perpetual conflict

with the situation of perpetual conflict in the end both peoples would enjoy

in the end both peoples would enjoy

in the end both peoples would enjoy their places of the Sun or neither will

their places of the Sun or neither will

their places of the Sun or neither will in other words this is not a zero-sum

in other words this is not a zero-sum

in other words this is not a zero-sum conflict but any suggestion of symmetry

conflict but any suggestion of symmetry

conflict but any suggestion of symmetry falls apart when you consider that one

falls apart when you consider that one

falls apart when you consider that one side there is an established state ruled

side there is an established state ruled

side there is an established state ruled by a sovereign government and on the

by a sovereign government and on the

by a sovereign government and on the other side and occupy people represented

other side and occupy people represented

other side and occupy people represented by an organization more than anything

by an organization more than anything

by an organization more than anything else this structural imbalance explains

else this structural imbalance explains

else this structural imbalance explains the serial failures of the talks between

the serial failures of the talks between

the serial failures of the talks between the parties always up to the

the parties always up to the

the parties always up to the International usually community to

International usually community to

International usually community to compensate for the imbalance but the

compensate for the imbalance but the

compensate for the imbalance but the major powers have been persistently

major powers have been persistently

major powers have been persistently negligent in this regard now we are left

negligent in this regard now we are left

negligent in this regard now we are left with the consequences a situation that

with the consequences a situation that

with the consequences a situation that can only be described as diet and it

can only be described as diet and it

can only be described as diet and it just got a lot worse in the light of the

just got a lot worse in the light of the

just got a lot worse in the light of the radically altered geopolitical

radically altered geopolitical

radically altered geopolitical environment but this is the Middle East

environment but this is the Middle East

environment but this is the Middle East where the only thing we can expect with

where the only thing we can expect with

where the only thing we can expect with certainty is the unexpected almost every

certainty is the unexpected almost every

certainty is the unexpected almost every decisive development on the arab israel

decisive development on the arab israel

decisive development on the arab israel front at least since the war of 1973 was

front at least since the war of 1973 was

front at least since the war of 1973 was not anticipated by the experts and the

not anticipated by the experts and the

not anticipated by the experts and the future may well be just as unpredictable

future may well be just as unpredictable

future may well be just as unpredictable on this round alone there is some reason

on this round alone there is some reason

on this round alone there is some reason to temper the prevailing mood of

to temper the prevailing mood of

to temper the prevailing mood of despondency with a tinge of optimism not

despondency with a tinge of optimism not

despondency with a tinge of optimism not everything there is unpredictable

everything there is unpredictable

everything there is unpredictable sooner or later occupations like other

sooner or later occupations like other

sooner or later occupations like other forms of colonial rule are resisted this

forms of colonial rule are resisted this

forms of colonial rule are resisted this is probably one of the few cast iron

is probably one of the few cast iron

is probably one of the few cast iron laws of history so anything the

laws of history so anything the

laws of history so anything the occupation is the indispensable

occupation is the indispensable

occupation is the indispensable condition for breaking free of the

condition for breaking free of the

condition for breaking free of the current form and no end of conflict is

current form and no end of conflict is

current form and no end of conflict is possible without this so what if

possible without this so what if

possible without this so what if anything may be done here are two

anything may be done here are two

anything may be done here are two suggestions first is that there is an

suggestions first is that there is an

suggestions first is that there is an urgent need for all Palestinian and

urgent need for all Palestinian and

urgent need for all Palestinian and Israeli anti-occupation activists to

Israeli anti-occupation activists to

Israeli anti-occupation activists to come together to devise a common

come together to devise a common

come together to devise a common strategy that the rest of the world may

strategy that the rest of the world may

strategy that the rest of the world may then throw its

then throw its

then throw its thought behind historical inhibitions

thought behind historical inhibitions

thought behind historical inhibitions primarily on the Palestinian side about

primarily on the Palestinian side about

primarily on the Palestinian side about cooperating with each other for this

cooperating with each other for this

cooperating with each other for this sort of purpose needs to be set aside in

sort of purpose needs to be set aside in

sort of purpose needs to be set aside in the greater cause of unity in ending the

the greater cause of unity in ending the

the greater cause of unity in ending the occupation the second is a suggestion

occupation the second is a suggestion

occupation the second is a suggestion for that strategy the Palestinian

for that strategy the Palestinian

for that strategy the Palestinian American thinkers saying before and I

American thinkers saying before and I

American thinkers saying before and I have together put forward a proposal

have together put forward a proposal

have together put forward a proposal that the Israeli government be called

that the Israeli government be called

that the Israeli government be called upon either to recognize an independent

upon either to recognize an independent

upon either to recognize an independent Palestinian state imminently or pending

Palestinian state imminently or pending

Palestinian state imminently or pending of future final agreements whatever and

of future final agreements whatever and

of future final agreements whatever and whenever that might be from full civil

whenever that might be from full civil

whenever that might be from full civil and political rights in the meantime to

and political rights in the meantime to

and political rights in the meantime to everyone living under Israeli

everyone living under Israeli

everyone living under Israeli jurisdiction before I conclude I’d like

jurisdiction before I conclude I’d like

jurisdiction before I conclude I’d like to address a question that is perhaps

to address a question that is perhaps

to address a question that is perhaps lingering in the minds of some of you

lingering in the minds of some of you

lingering in the minds of some of you namely can be subjective approach I

namely can be subjective approach I

namely can be subjective approach I about lies help us to understand that

about lies help us to understand that

about lies help us to understand that maybe even resolve other conflicts

maybe even resolve other conflicts

maybe even resolve other conflicts well I hesitate to generalize and of

well I hesitate to generalize and of

well I hesitate to generalize and of course no two conflicts are the same and

course no two conflicts are the same and

course no two conflicts are the same and I don’t at all suggest it is a

I don’t at all suggest it is a

I don’t at all suggest it is a sufficient approach on its own but

sufficient approach on its own but

sufficient approach on its own but insofar as it requires listening and

insofar as it requires listening and

insofar as it requires listening and pathetically before leaping to judgments

pathetically before leaping to judgments

pathetically before leaping to judgments and it tells not imposing on the other

and it tells not imposing on the other

and it tells not imposing on the other parties our own values preferences or

parties our own values preferences or

parties our own values preferences or prejudices even if subconscious I think

prejudices even if subconscious I think

prejudices even if subconscious I think it can be a vital tool of analysis

it can be a vital tool of analysis

it can be a vital tool of analysis whether the conflict is at the

whether the conflict is at the

whether the conflict is at the international national or local levels

international national or local levels

international national or local levels or even just within families or between

or even just within families or between

or even just within families or between friends but I always try to serve

friends but I always try to serve

friends but I always try to serve sometimes and maybe let us know