The Doha Debates
The BBC in its world edition broadcasts the Doha Debates monthly. Doha is the main city of Qatar, one of the independent Gulf States, that has become one of the leaders of modernization and development in the Arab world. The Chair of these Debates is usually Tim Sebastian, well-known former interviewer of the BBC series called "Hard Talk." The Debates are supported by the Qatar Association for Education, Science and Social Development. These Debates usually take a classic form, a motion is proposed, there are two speakers on each side, the audience asks questions and then an electronic vote is taken. It all appears so civilized.
Of course, although there are Israelis present at some of these Debates, since it is taking place in Doha, Qatar, and since it is being run by the BBC, only left-wing Israelis who are either known to be "soft" in their views towards the Arabs or outright self-haters of Israel are allowed to speak. The first time they had an Israeli was Deputy PM Peres a few months ago, who answered questions mainly from students at the local University. This was at least a good forum for the Arab students to hear some Israeli views.
This month's Debate was on the question "should the Arabs give up the 'right of return' of Palestinians to Israel?" Speaking for the motion were Yossi Beilin, Chairman of the left-wing Meretz Party, who made the point that Israel can never accept the "right of return," so continuing to support that was effectively preventing a peaceful settlement. Also for the motion to drop the "right of return" was Bassam Eid, the Palestinian Human Rights leader, who resides in East Jerusalem, and who said that Palestinian suffering must end and the Arabs must be practical and not emotional.
Speaking against the motion were Ilan Pappe, the ultra left-wing Jewish anti-Israel academic from Haifa University, who is leaving Israel for the UK, and Ali Abu Nimah, the son of Palestinian refugees, who co-founded the "electronic intifada," who called Israel " a racist state." The audience was mixed, from all over the Arab world, young and old, extremist and pragmatic. One young man spoke about the need for the Arabs to break from the past, and to compromise with Israel to solve the conflict. One young woman said that although she lived in Qatar, she would willingly give up her comfortable life and go to Palestine and fight against Israel for the "right of return" (but as Bassam Eid said "that is emotional rhetoric").
Not surprisingly, when it was put to the vote, this Arab audience voted overwhelmingly against the motion, by a margin of 82% to 18% against giving up the Palestinian Arab's "right of return" to Israel, i.e. they voted for a continuation of the conflict and no compromise. Unfortunately that is the reality of the Arab position, even in this "civilized" and "modern" corner of the Arab world.
Perhaps one day they will allow mainstream Israelis to participate in these Debates, and perhaps the Arab audience will not be so overwhelmingly extreme. But, until that day dawns in the far distant future nothing will change. However, the Doha Debates at least represent an insight into how the "modern" and "civilized" Arabs are thinking. Not much different from the ossified and uncivilized ones.
Of course, although there are Israelis present at some of these Debates, since it is taking place in Doha, Qatar, and since it is being run by the BBC, only left-wing Israelis who are either known to be "soft" in their views towards the Arabs or outright self-haters of Israel are allowed to speak. The first time they had an Israeli was Deputy PM Peres a few months ago, who answered questions mainly from students at the local University. This was at least a good forum for the Arab students to hear some Israeli views.
This month's Debate was on the question "should the Arabs give up the 'right of return' of Palestinians to Israel?" Speaking for the motion were Yossi Beilin, Chairman of the left-wing Meretz Party, who made the point that Israel can never accept the "right of return," so continuing to support that was effectively preventing a peaceful settlement. Also for the motion to drop the "right of return" was Bassam Eid, the Palestinian Human Rights leader, who resides in East Jerusalem, and who said that Palestinian suffering must end and the Arabs must be practical and not emotional.
Speaking against the motion were Ilan Pappe, the ultra left-wing Jewish anti-Israel academic from Haifa University, who is leaving Israel for the UK, and Ali Abu Nimah, the son of Palestinian refugees, who co-founded the "electronic intifada," who called Israel " a racist state." The audience was mixed, from all over the Arab world, young and old, extremist and pragmatic. One young man spoke about the need for the Arabs to break from the past, and to compromise with Israel to solve the conflict. One young woman said that although she lived in Qatar, she would willingly give up her comfortable life and go to Palestine and fight against Israel for the "right of return" (but as Bassam Eid said "that is emotional rhetoric").
Not surprisingly, when it was put to the vote, this Arab audience voted overwhelmingly against the motion, by a margin of 82% to 18% against giving up the Palestinian Arab's "right of return" to Israel, i.e. they voted for a continuation of the conflict and no compromise. Unfortunately that is the reality of the Arab position, even in this "civilized" and "modern" corner of the Arab world.
Perhaps one day they will allow mainstream Israelis to participate in these Debates, and perhaps the Arab audience will not be so overwhelmingly extreme. But, until that day dawns in the far distant future nothing will change. However, the Doha Debates at least represent an insight into how the "modern" and "civilized" Arabs are thinking. Not much different from the ossified and uncivilized ones.
posted by Jack Cohen at 2:00 PM
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