The last question was about the disparity in funding between the Jewish and Arab population of Israel.
Tobin began by writing it off as the "tension of a sixty-three year old war." Then he said; "I think the Israeli government has done a terrible job in Jerusalem. It's a shanda," (scandal). It boggles my mind why they won't help the Druze who serve in the military or the Bedouins."
Masters began by stating that Israel should "Address the disparity." He said, they like to borrow American culture like our malls and they even imported a right wing economic system. The settlements are draining the Israeli economy."
Tobin responded by saying that the economic reforms were necessary and that socialism has been largely replaced by an advanced economy.
Mr. Siegal announced that he had promised to end the discussion at nine o'clock and asked the sponsoring Men's Club and the audience if that was satisfactory and if they should do it again in a year. There was a resounding yes!
I was less that satisfied myself however. I was looking for someone to mention tolerance, or understanding, or education, or dialogue. All were largely missing from this debate. I happen to believe that America, (Jews and non-Jews alike), has and continues to purchase a stake in settling the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I believe that "the fierce urgency of now," is more about the real military threats by both state and non-state actor's then demography. I believe that the clock is ticking on a countdown to a war that will make the horrors of Cast Lead pale for Palestinians, Israelis and maybe many others in the region and beyond. There are simply too many weapons and more on the way to let this seemingly endless battle smolder until it sets fire to the whole world.
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