dialogue

  Now this is tricky. It makes me think of understanding, or communication and of peaceful means to settle a situation of conflict or at least provide a path to new understanding... But it's just a really really big blanket thats thrown on the situation to cover up what is actually happening. It provides an exterior of peace and calm and methodical approach to resolution. But in reality everything underneath continues to churn on, cogs spinning, wheels turning and in the sitaution of Israel and Palestine, people dying.


I have been to two very very interesting talks this week that have made me realign my own position in the row of seats I have taken to calling my own. I have always put faith in dialogue in talking and peaceful means of understanding. Then the Israeli physicians against occupation and a group of Palestinian university lecturers put forward two differing methods of resistance to the overarching omnipotent power of Israel, the nation state and the hand of god within this territory.
  Do we stop, take a step back, shake out heads and refuse to cooperate? a Kind of Gandhi-esque take on the situation, with non-cooperation where the Israelis pride themselves so fully- within the realm of academia?
  Or do we put pressure on our own to in turn put more pressure on the medical institutions of Israel? building up the force until an organization has the courage to stand up, point to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and say out loud, "Aren't Palestinians human too?"


  Having written my dissertation using numourous Israeli academics work, alongside many Palestinians and Internationals I might add, the human rights question pops up again. We all have something to say, men, women, children.. but we can choose who to listen to. We have our preference, our favourites, usually those that align strongly with our own perception of the situation. I believe an academic boycott could potentially create more walls, but this may be needed.. I dont know.
  And pressure upon our own institutions has an aura of hope, due to our own doctors and medics continuing to treat asylum seekers for free even as laws change, promoting a level standard of human rights internationally, oblivious of nationality or ethnicity or political stance.


  It's difficult. but also promising. The people apparently do care. Enough to boycott their own institutions, to go against their own high court, to rally against the state that they once moved to in order to be secure and wash away their own past of exile, loss and discrimination. Now only to be faced with imposing those terrible three upon another subjugated minority in their wake.