Daniel Lubetzky

OneVoice’s high profile delegation to the Middle East, led by Daniel and Jason Alexander, is off to a great start and the international media has been noticing, as you can see here, here, and here, to name a few.  (Unfortunately, the poor sound quality of this clip only  emphasizes the funny question at the end, and not the substantive conversations that took place.)

At the Knesset, Shimon Peres had deep conversations with the group as to how to achieve peace in the region (and even joked around a little).  According to a Reuters article, during the meeting Peres defended Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad- after criticism from ultranationalist  leader Avigdor Lieberman- exemplifying the open minded attitude that Israeli and Palestinian leaders should embody to reach a solution.

Aside from spending time with the top level government, the group will be meeting with OneVoice’s Israeli and Palestinian youth leaders who will be sure to offer unique perspectives of the challenges on the ground.

By Adeena Schlussel

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Independent of whether you support or reject the deal Israel struck with Hamas in order to secure the release of Gilad Shalit, and independent of whether you support the view that peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors is achievable, one thing should be evident to all: Gershon Baskin is a mentsch (Yiddish word for a very decent human being), with steadfast sincerity of purpose to advance understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, and an impressive grasp of the issues.  Of all people I have come across in this space, Gershon is among the very few that truly can articulate both the Israeli and Palestinian narratives with as much empathy and knowledge as any patriot on either side.  The article below shares the story of how an academic and grassroots activist (who incidentally serves on the OneVoice Israel Board) was key to this historic deal.  Lots to be admired here.

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OneVoice brought Israeli leaders, running the political gamete, to meet with 500 participants in order to discus the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The event took place at Tel Aviv’s Cinematheque, and OneVoice conducted 30 roundtable discussions ranging from women’s role in peace building to Israel’s relationship with Turkey. 

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

In case anyone has doubts as to Hamas and Iran’s intentions: nothing less than Israel’s destruction.  Their extremism prolongs the conflict and the suffering of both: ordinary Palestinians and Israelis.

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The following article in the Washington Jewish Week illustrates the work of two OneVoice Youth Leaders in DC, and the overall goal that they and OneVoice strive to achieve.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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It is worthwhile to read the speeches given by President Obama, PM Netanyahu, and President Abbas at the UN.  These speeches are a window into how each leader perceives his nation’s position and narrative, and are crucial in understanding the varying sides of the debate over statehood.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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Settlements are a HUGE obstacle to achieving a resolution to the conflict. Daunting. Must be condemned.

But this, below, is the biggest obstacle – Palestinians’ refusal to come to terms with a finality of the conflict and the need to accept co-existence with Israel as a Jewish State (or pluralistic homeland or whatever you want to call it as long as you don’t delude yourself trying to think you will destroy it in stages).  Without that, no change will come, and no peace or prosperity or safe or quiet future for either side will come.

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Thomas Friedman’s column addresses the exact concerns that haunt the Middle East peace process today.  It is crucial for both sides to make compromises in the negotiations; instead of making speeches that delineate what’s in their own country’s best interest, Netanyahu and Abbas must make some concessions in good faith.  Netanyahu must fully freeze the settlements; Abbas must recognize that Israel will be the homeland of the Jewish people.  If these leaders do not look to acknowledge each other, this peace process will crumble, and there will be devastating, reverberating effects that reach far beyond the immediate region.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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An exhibit at the Jerusalem Bloomfield Musuem is celebrating Israel’s top 45 greatest inventions, including amazing innovations like the electric car grid, surgical robots, the cherry tomato, and solar power systems.

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According to an article in Foreign Policy, Former President Bill Clinton blames PM Netanyahu for the lack of peace process progress.  Clinton specifically pointed to Netanyahu’s Administration for failing to accept the Camp David terms, as well as a change in Israeli demographic, making Israeli’s less open to peace.  As Clinton argues in this article, the peace process would benefit immensely from Netanyahu’s administration being more amenable to compromise. 

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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