Monday, September 6, 2010

Current Event for September 10th

Middle East Peace Talks- search for an optimist

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.  Their goal was to restart discussions about peace between their countries, facilitated by the U.S..  These negotiations between Israel and Palestine were the first since talks ended 20 months ago.  U.S. President Obama has told each side that their goal is a permanent settlement that ends the Israeli occupation of Palestine territory captured in 1967, and an independent, democratic Palestinian state existing peacefully next to Israel.

Many critics of these talks say that talks have happened before, with no peaceful results.  At the beginning of the talks on Friday, September 3rd, Clinton acknowledged these critics' pessimism, but said that "The core issues at the center of these negotiations - territory, security, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements and others - will get no easier if we wait, nor will they resolve themselves."

For this weeks blog, read the BBC article "The Search for a Middle East Optimist" by Wyre Davies.  An optimist is someone who always looks for the good side of every situation.

Article:  "The Search for a Middle East Optimist."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8966631.stm

After writing your summary, reflection, questions and prediction:

1. Explain why Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the Peace Talks. 
2. Do you agree with Wiesel's optimism?  Why or why not?


BACKGROUND OF THE CONFLICT:



Map of Israel and Palestinian territories
The division of the former British mandate of Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel in the years after the end of World War II have been at the heart of Middle Eastern conflicts for the past half century.

The creation of Israel was the culmination of the Zionist movement, whose aim was a homeland for Jews scattered all over the world following the Diaspora. After the Nazi Holocaust, pressure grew for the international recognition of a Jewish state, and in 1948 Israel came into being.

For more information on the Conflict read:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/803257.stm

17 comments:

  1. The negotiations between Israel and Palestine have restarted. The United States is facilitating the peace talks between the two groups.The peace talks could eventually succeed because of the enthusiasm of president Obama!

    There is hardly any person who you ask that thinks that these agreements will reach any point. Lots of presidents of the US have tried some have been close but mr. Obama will not achieve something.

    Will the peace talks one day reach an agreement?
    Will the Obama administration be able to hold the peace talks for long enough for both groups to reach an agreement?

    I think that These peace talks will lead to nothing, but the person who brings a solution to these will certainly receive a very special place in history.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic about the talks because he spoke to president Obama and trusts his sincerity.

    I do not agree, there are people trying to sabotage the peace talks but I do not think that they will reach something because now you do not need to negotiate with Israel and the PLO, now is Hamas also because they control Gaza.

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  2. After a long break, the peace talks between Israel and Palestine have restarted, but with very little enthusiasm from both sides. Even though the negotiations between these countries have not been completely successful, President Obama is making an effort to make the Israel and Palestinian authorities solve their problems. What is certain is that these negotiations are going to take a while.

    There is not much work done in the negotiations because the authorities of these countries won’t cooperate, so at this rate they will not fix their problem. The United States needs to act quickly so that these countries may come to a deal, or either stop wasting their time trying to solve their problem and move on. It is about time that they can respect their differences and come to a diplomatic solution.

    When will the negativity between these two countries reach its end?
    What plan does Obama have in mind to help the Israeli and the Palestinian?

    I think that the United States are losing there time and these two countries will have to keep fighting until somebody else solves their problem.

    Eli Wiesel is very optimistic about this matter because he talked to President Obama and he believes in his sincerity and commitment to this problem in which he is decided to find a solution.

    I do not agree with Eli’s optimism because I am sure that the negotiations will fail and that President Obama will have no choice , but to let someone else solve the conflict between these countries because not only do the citizens do not like these peace talks, but they are also trying to sabotage them.

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  3. The peace talks between Israel and Palestine have been going for a long time, and there has been many tries to come to peace. But none of them have worked. Recently there has been a meeting with both leaders, yet there is no final agreement. This conflict between Israel and Palestine is refered to as an "impossible dream."

    This might come to peace someday, but it will take a while for them to overcome their differences and come to peace. Even tohugh lots of Presidents from U.S have tried, no one has succeed.

    1. Will they ever con to an agreement?
    2. What will happen when they get tired of trying? will they come to war?

    I think that it takes more people to get involved and more time for them to get to a peaceful agreement. It is really hard for them to set apart their issues but if it does happen it will take a very important event in history.

    Eli Wiesel is very optimistic about the peaceful agreement beacuse he spoke to President Obama about it. Eli beleives that Obama will keep tyring to find the solution to this conflict, beacuse of Obama´s effort and commitment to this issue.

    I don´t agree with Eli beacuse I don´t think this problem can be solved that easy. The only ones that cna solve this are the leaders of Palestine and Israel and they ar ethe ones that decide either to come to an agreement or not.

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  4. This article is mainly about Israel and Palestine trying to make a peace deal with the help of the United States. As seen, this peace deal will take some time do to the conflicts between both. President Obama is trying to help them both make a peace deal.

    In my opinion it is really difficult to make this peace deal between both because really it is like the united states are forcing both of them to do the peace deal. It should be there desire to do it, not the United States. The united states are trying to make this conflict better but its not really their problem! They should focus on their business and stop trying to solve every single problem in the world. My opinion is that they BOTH ( meaning Israel and Palestine) solve this problem in a peaceful way but with out the help of the United States. The problem with the US Is that later this countries depend on them. They should try to be their own country without depending on the US. The US can help but countries are really depending on them.

    Will this conflict really stop and both countries have peace between them?

    Will the United States continue to be involucrate in this conflict between two countries that are far away? Wont they let them find a way for peace without the need of them helping around?

    In my opinion Eli Wiesel, the author of the article, thinks that just for talking to the president he think that he can solve the problem between two countries.

    I do not agree with him because I’m really sure that these peaces deal will not work as all the previous that they have tried to do. Why does he think that Obama will do something different than the other presidents from the US that have tried the same thing? They are “forcing” them to do a peace treat. They should let them do it by themselves and stop trying to solve every single problem in the world because then all the countries would like to DEPEND on the United States, which is worst because the US doesn’t always have the right answers for every single problem.


    Valeria Hasbun

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  5. The peace talks between Israel and Palestine have been "re-started". This time, Mr. Obama wants to help. He believes he can solve this long time problem.

    It will definitely take more than just Obama´s help, to solve this conflict. Every time these peace talks are on, Israel and Palestine come to an agreement, which is later broken, and fighting starts again.

    When will this cicle end?
    What exactly does Obama have in mind, to help solve this problem?

    I think that Obama will not be able to completely solve this issue. He might get Israel and Palestine to agree, but as usual, fighting will begin again shortly after he believes his job is done.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic about the peace talks because he spoke to Obama and he believed that all the president wanted was to bring peace. Obama was being sicere, and he really had a commitment to peace.

    I half agree with Eli Wiesel´s optimism. I think we need optimism to solve a conflict like this one, but at the same time, I think this is too big of a conflict to be solved by one person; in this case Mr. Obama.

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  6. Peace talks between Israel and Palestine have restarted and they are looking for a fresh start. President Obama is helping to solve this argument between Palestine and Israel. Mr. Obama thinks he can solve this 'Impossible Dream'.

    Palestine and Israel have been disputing over many years now; it will take more than just Obama's help to solve this. Maybe Obama will succeed,maybe he won't. Many people think this problem will never end.

    Will Palestine and Israel leave their differences behind and move on?
    How is Obama planning to solve this out?

    I think Obama will help, but they wont get to far. This problem came from many years behind and both countries should leave their differences behind and move on. Peace should be announced between both. It will take a lot of time to solve this out.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic because he spoke to Mr. Obama about bringing peace between this two countries and he was being sincere. He really wants to help this issue.

    I agree with Eli Wiesel's optimism because people like him are the ones that help bring peace to the world. This is a very big conflict, which implicates many people, not only one. Mr. Obama should have more support for this case.

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  7. Long time ago people talked about peace in Israel and Palestine and now it seemed to have been restarted. President Obama wants that peace comes into these countries this is way he is trying to help both to gain peace. This is hard because there is lack of enthusiasm about peace in Israel and Palestine. It won’t be something easy to accomplish but the effort is being done.

    In my opinion their problems wont be solved if they don't colaborate to gain the peace. The U.S. is not the only one responsible of making the peace but Israel and Palestine are the real responsibles. Real peace will just come if the effort done comes outs from really wanting peace, not just by appereance.

    1. Will they be able to put their differences apart to benifit the people that live there?

    2. Will Israel and Palestine leave their religious conflicts apart, which colabortes to mantaining peace?

    I think that peace wont really exist in this countries, because peace can't be earn from one day to another. If they want to earn peace they should try their best efforts, by really promting peace by their actions not just by
    words.

    Elie Wiesel is very optimistic and sucure of the peace talk. He seemed to be sincere about the talk. Also he is confident that president Obama will really bring peace.

    I do agree in his optimism towards getting peace, but in my opinion getting peace won't be easy at all. Hard work needs to be done to earn this.

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  8. His blog was mainly about the United States trying to bring Palestine and Israel together to make a Peace deal. President Obama is trying to make them both find a solution for this violent conflict between both.

    In my opinion I really don’t think this will work. Many presidents have tried this and I really dought Obama will make a difference. I think the United States should just stop trying to make everyone do what they one, if they don’t want to make a deal maybe it is the best because they might not be ready. The US should try to stop being so nosey and let them make peace them selves with out being forced. The problem is that later other countries want to depend on the US and that is bad! The US is not a baby sitter, it’s a nation that wants to help but sometimes it should let other succeed by them selves, maybe it will take longer but its by themselves.

    Why cant the US just stay in their business and leave other countries solve their own problems?
    Will they ever come to a peace deal?

    Eli Wiesel is really optimistic about Obama helping inthis proble. He believes with Obama the problem is solved.

    I don’t agree because lots of presidents have tried, what does Obama have that the others don’t? The only ones that have the power to do a peace dell is the leadersof Israel and Palestine, if they want to they wil and if they don’t they wont. Just give them some time

    Valeria Hasbun

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  9. The peace talks between Israel and palestine have restarted, but this time the eagerness of Obama may give some people more hope. Eventhough they may take a while, president Obama believes he can help solve this long time problem.

    The negotiations between these two countries may not be solved by just one person, it is very hard to leave your differences behind and stop fighting.

    I do not think that Obama will be able to solve this problem ecause the minute he turnis his back they might start fighting again, leaving the agreement behind.

    Eli Wiesel is otimistic because ahe talket to mr, Obama, and she trusts his enthusiasm, and commitment to the problem.

    I do not agree with Eli Wiesl's optimism beacuse a problem as big as this one, and that has been going on fos so long cannot be left behind as easily, and it defienetly will take more than one eager president to solve it.

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  10. 1. Explain why Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the Peace Talks.
    2. Do you agree with Wiesel's optimism? Why or why not?

    On Friday, September 10, there was a discussion plan about peace between the U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. They have set up to resume the peace discussions that had ended about 20 months earlier. President Obama states that the goal was the permanent settlement that ends the Israeli occupation in Palestinian territory since 1967, and a democratic and independent Palestinian state. Thanks to President Obama, both countries have agreed to have the discussion.

    Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the peace talks because there has to be someone who is optimistic, since very few people believe there is someday going to be peace between Palestine and Israel. He is also optimistic because he spoke to President Obama and there is trust between them. I don’t agree with his optimism because this conflict has been going on for too long, and people have to learn by themselves to get over it. He is just wasting his and other’s time and the only possible way for the conflict to end is if both countries agree to stop the fighting, but this sounds impossible. Why can’t both countries understand that this fight has been going on forever, neither of them is wrong and just start all over again? Why does the US want to stop the fight if its not war yet? What is Obama’s plan for peace? I believe that in the future, these negotiations won’t really help and the only true solution is for both countries to forgive each other and start over again.

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  11. 1. Explain why Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the Peace Talks.
    2. Do you agree with Wiesel's optimism? Why or why not?

    On Friday, September 10, there was a discussion plan about peace between the U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. They have set up to resume the peace discussions that had ended about 20 months earlier. President Obama states that the goal was the permanent settlement that ends the Israeli occupation in Palestinian territory since 1967, and a democratic and independent Palestinian state. Thanks to President Obama, both countries have agreed to have the discussion.
    Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the peace talks because there has to be someone who is optimistic, since very few people believe there is someday going to be peace between Palestine and Israel. He is also optimistic because he spoke to President Obama and there is trust between them. I don’t agree with his optimism because this conflict has been going on for too long, and people have to learn by themselves to get over it. He is just wasting his and other’s time and the only possible way for the conflict to end is if both countries agree to stop the fighting, but this sounds impossible. Why can’t both countries understand that this fight has been going on forever, neither of them is wrong and just start all over again? Why does the US want to stop the fight if its not war yet? What is Obama’s plan for peace? I believe that in the future, these negotiations won’t really help and the only true solution is for both countries to forgive each other and start over again.

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  12. The conflict between Palestine and Israel goes way back in time, a lot of people have tried to make peace so many times that a great part of people don't believe that its not possible. Obama has re started talk about peace making a lot of debate around the world.

    Elie is optimistic because he has seen some change around and really desires for change.
    I think that trying to solve these problem could take a lot of years to solve if doing the right thing. No one can change in one day.
    I don't believe myself as a huge pessimist but in these occasion I have a hard time to find possible solutions since you have to change how people think, which is very hard, and try to convince them what is the right thing. Change can scare some people.

    What could be peaceful solutions to solve this problem?
    Why does the U.S has to be involve in this issue?

    I think that someday some changes would happened but I see this in a very distant future.

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  13. The peace talks between Palestine and Israel have been put a side for a while, but now they have come again. Obama is enthusiastic about reaching an agreement and wants to collaborate in this. It is thought of it as a dream that cannot be reached, yet some people have hope that it will.

    This will not be an easy task; it will definitely take a pretty long time. There have been many attempts on reaching an agreement but none of them has been successful. It is very rare that something that is developing so slow and with a lot of negativity achieve something any time soon.

    Why is there people trying to sabotage the peace process? Why are they against living in peace?
    Will they ever reach something, someday?

    I think that they have to be more optimistic about it; no one said it would be a short and easy process. In my opinion they should be patient. This might sound contradictory to what I’ve said above but at this rate it might probably take very long or simply not reach something.

    Elie Wiesel is optimistic about the peace talks because he spoke with president Obama about this and he truly though that Mr. Obama’s intentions to this conflict where good ones and that he really wanted to reach an agreement.

    I kind off agree with Elie’s opinion because I think that hope is the last thing you lose. When there are conflicts that possibly will take a long period of time in order to reach something you should always have a little bit of hope and determination. On the other hand I do not because I know it is a very delicate subject and that just the fact of having hope and determination in not enough, it will take a lot more.

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  14. After a long period of silence, President Obama finally successes in getting the leaders of both countries to sit around the same table to have a re-start to the end of their conflicts with the peace talks. This time, Mr.Obama is certain that their relationship with each other (Palestine and Israel) will end up as a peaceful one. However, the citizens are taking the matter as a joke and some don't even think of cooperating and that they would pass their limits to stop it.

    I think that the interferance of Mr.Obama in this conflict was a right choice. If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't have been any little progress. But I still doubt on the result, because whenever these two countries try to make peace, it fails and the long period of silence returns.

    1. Will the interferance of Mr.Obama help in something?

    2. Is this one of those conflicts that will try to rely on the US to solve?

    The leaders of the two countries may have sat around the same table to talk about peace, but if they don't show any progress, it will break like the past times. It will take some time to show it, but I hope that it gets resolved.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic about the Peace talks because he was impressed by the presindent's sincerity and commitment to peace.

    I actually don't know if I should agree or not with Eli's optimism because this conflict may be solved after a long time, but it can also not work and make the relationship between the countries worse.

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  15. This article talks about recent peace talks between Israel and Palestine which have been at war for land for a very long time. Palestine is fighting with Israel for Jerusalem, which is a holy city for both. In addition, another of Palestine's arguments is becoming a country instead of owning three separate territories. People in both sides are being pessimistic about the whole situation because peace talks have been a subject before and not much has been done. The USA is taking action and helping people who are suffering by organizing deals.

    I think that these affairs will be hard to solve because this fight is very controversial due to differences in religions and points of view. The incompatible governments have to put their differences aside and see what works best fort the people. I also believe that they should be able to share and that Obama might lead them to these results.

    Why is it so difficult to find a common point?
    How would Israel and Palestine solve this problem if Obama were not helping?

    I predict that this situation won't cease anytime soon because there is too much controversy. I also predict that this problem will actually come to an end.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic about the peace talks because she is a Holocaust survivor and believe in making peace with old enemies. She wants the world to be a better place since she knows how bad things can be.

    I agree with her optimism, but I believe it will take more than one person to make her optimism into actions. In addition, more countries should help.

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  16. This weeks article is that the agreements between Palestine and Israel have been restrated. Obama thinks he can solve this long time problem.

    I think that this two countries someday may come to peace. But it will take them a long time, because of their diffrences. I think that it will defently not succed for Obama since many US presidents have tried and failed. But it may be a huge push for the peace between these countries.

    1.Will the fights stop soon?
    2.What does Obama think will solve this ¨impossible dream¨?

    I think Obama will not succeed at solving this problem. Since many US presidents have tried and failed. But I think that it will be a huge push in the peace agreement between this 2 countries. I think that in a couple of maybe decades they will have peace.

    Eli Wiesel is very optimistic because he spoke to president Obama. He belives in him and thinks that he will solve the problem.

    I donot agree with Eli Wiesels enthousiasm because i really dont think that the problem will be solved once and for all. I think that it helps, that his enthousiasm helps but at the same time it gives fake ilusions to people because this ¨impossible dream¨ will not be eassy to solve.

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  17. This weeks blog assignment is about Palestine and Israel. In the past, the land which is now Israel belonged to Palestine. Israel came and took the land and said that God had gave them the land. Now they are constantly fighting for the land. The US is trying to establish peace between these two countries. They have tried to do this with Peace Talks. Some people think peace will never come and others are optimistic and believe that it will come.

    I think that the US is trying to do a good job in solving this problem which has been around for years. I also think that since Jews took that land away from Palestine, that land should belong to Palestine but since Jews believe that God gave them that land they should stay there.

    What is the US planning to solve this problem?
    Will peace com anytime soon?

    I think that peace will sometime come because they cannot be fighting forever. I also think that they are going to find an agreement soon. This problem will sometime be solved.

    Eli Wiesel is optimistic about the Peace Talks because he has already been through the Holocaust and knows that peace will come and the problem will sometime be solved.

    Yes, I agree because I believe that they will find a solution for this problem sometime and peace will come.

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