Tel Aviv Meet Moledet

The JNI regards the current diplomatic stalemate that exists vis-a-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is first and foremost caused by an Israeli society that has ignored the necessity for vigorous and balanced debate on this subject. We went about providing a platform to hear some different approaches to the Palestinian conflict other then the same two-state solution that has now become a religion in itself to many of its followers.

The JNI had heard murmurs of a peace plan that has been touted by the right-wing Moledet Party, labeled "The Right road to Peace." So we rounded up some Tel-Avivian's and hosted Uri Bank, one of the directors in the Moledet party to come and speak about some of these new idea's.

The most interesting thrust of the proposal was the re-involvement of Jordan within the Palestinian conflict, making this conflict once more a regional issue, and no longer just an Israeli problem to solve. Jordans revoking of 250,000 West Bank Palestinian's Jordanian citizenship in 1988, was illegal and must be addressed in any peaceful settlement that may come about concerning Israel and the Palestinians.

When Mr.Bank finished, we opened the floor for questions and comments. The exchanges were refreshing and thought provoking, though many Tel-Avivian's had difficulty in accepting such an unorthodox alternative to what is the mainstream notions within this conflict, all felt uplifted by the free debate and the real intellectual process found here in this respectful exchange.

The conversation digressed as is often the case at these events, and towards the end people sort of found themselves in smaller discussions, where laughter could be found in one corner of the room, while in the other, serious conversation ensued.

Mr. Bank left when we left, he seemed to enjoy himself as mush as we did, we took down a list of the people and their phone numbers to contact them if we do this again. Every person who came put their name and number to the list.