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For the second year in a row, TALKERS magazine teamed up with the American Jewish Committee's Project Interchange and sent a group of radio talk show hosts to the Middle East on an intensive fact finding mission. The hosts met with leaders and spokespersons from both the Israeli and Palestinian perspectives and had the opportunity to see, first hand, the realities of one of the most volatile, complex situations facing today's troubled world. These brave hosts brought their microphones to a land beset by violence and uncertainty, returning home with fresh information for their listeners and colleagues.
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Did you know...
- Every baby born in Israel is fitted and sent home with a gas mask.
- Every building in Israel has to have a bomb shelter. That means every home home, school, office building, hospital, etc.
- The $1.8 billion that the U.S. gives in military aid to Israel has to be spent on goods from American companies (example, Boeing). That means the money goes right back into the US economy.
- There are only 5.9 million citizens in Israel, a million of which are Arab-Israelis. There are over eight million people living in Los Angeles.
- Every Jew who wants to move to Israel is welcome and becomes a citizen as soon as they step off the plane — immediately being entitled to vote, receive medical coverage and housing.
- Israel is barely the size of New Jersey, surrounded by over 25,000 hostile neighbors who seek her demise.
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There is a different reality that you're thrust into when you live in Israel. This became painfully clear as we spent time there, meeting and talking, walking and viewing, and absorbing all that we could in a short period of time.
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The second annual talk radio trip to Israel was sponsored and hosted by Project Interchange, an Institute of the American Jewish committee, and coordinated through TALKERS Magazine. Founded in 1982, Project Interchange's goal is to bring influential groups from many areas of American life to Israel, with the goal of educating American policy makers and opinion leaders through through firsthand experience about Israel and the Middle East peace process. To their credit, they do try to present both sides of these complex issues, including Palestinian and Arab speakers, along with the Israelis.
We departed from New York's JFK on Saturday (2/16/02), landing on Tel Aviv on Sunday evening, and hit the ground running! We spent the next eight days traveling the country and in seminars discussing issues with a diverse and intriguing selection of experts, scholars and fellow journalists, from all ends of the political spectrum.
Participating were various religious leaders, Israeli talk radio hosts, Palestinian journalists, Arab-Israelis, Army generals and political leaders. Topics ranged from "Palestinian Politics and Press" to "The history and Vision of Zionism" with a lot of discussion on "censorship in the media" thrown into the mix.
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Our group consisted of radio talk show hosts John DePetro of WHJJ, Providence; Al Gardner of WBT, Charlotte; Lars Larson of KXL; Portland and the Talk Radio Network; Danielle Lin of the Salt Lake city based, nationally syndicated Danielle Lin Show; Ron Rosenbaum of KSTP, St. Paul; and Michael Sampson of public station KWMU-FM, St. Louis. David Bernstein, the area director of the Washington, DC chapter of the American Jewish Committee represented Project Interchange and yours truly (Sue Steinberg) represented TALKERS Magazine.
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Lars "Superman" Larson managed to do daily live broadcasts of his four hour show every night, and Ron called into his station daily wherever we were. Al taped daily reports, and John DePetro also managed to do his show from Israel.
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When going to Israel, you pack among your many things, preconceived notions of what it would take for there to be peace in the region. As we all commented after only the first day, the more you (think you) know, the more you realize how little you know. Trying to keep an open mind and see both sides is the goal, but not necessarily easy to do. The passions run deep on both sides. You can't really come away NOT having an opinion. The situation is intense, and you can't help but get involved.
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All of the participants on this trip experienced the exact same reaction when we told our family and friends we were going to Israel: "WHY? Are you crazy? It's a war zone over there! You could get hurt... or worse!" OK, they all had a point. But the reality is that we all felt extremely safe from the moment we landed until the moment we left to go back home. I think the feeling of safety comes from the Israeli's attitude of "not giving in to terrorists and the fear they cause" and the emphasis on living as "normal" a life as they can, all things considered. There's calmness amongst the madness, an almost acceptance of their life being in danger. It makes you wonder how strong and dedicated these people have to be to live here. We also had an armed guard with us at all times. He's only 23 years old and this is the life he knows. Thank you Gil for risking your life to keep us safe.
Sure, there were incidents all around us. There were terrorist activities (and responses) EVERY DAY we were there! In one day for example, there were eight terrorist attempts in Israel, and NONE of them were reported in the International news that we saw.
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So why did we all decide to go to this global hot spot? Certainly there are safer places in the world to be! I think we all felt it was important to see for ourselves the situation in one of the most volatile and talked about places on the planet. It's important for talk radio hosts to be educated. It's too easy to rip and read information from filtered and biased reporting, and not look deeper into the real stories and facts of what is happening there. If you don't investigate both sides of the issues, you stand the chance of becoming vulnerable and sounding ignorant. Going to Israel to gather information first hand would give one true credibility and insight into the complex issues in the Middle East. This was a fact-finding mission, and the more facts we gathered, the more complicated and involved the issues became.
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On our first night (after traveling 12 hours in the air) we landed in Tel Aviv and immediately set out to meet Dr. Eran Lerman, Director of the American Jewish Committee in Israel, and a retired Colonel. We were meeting him in a restaurant in town for dinner. On the way there, we experienced firsthand what it's like to live in Israel. We hit a traffic jam, caused by a roadblock... caused by a suspected car bomb. Everyone just calmly turns their car around and takes an an alternate route. No big deal. Just life in Israel. We found out later that in another area just outside of Tel Aviv, there was in fact a terrorist with a pipe bomb, and one Israeli soldier was killed. We were on that very road the next day, not even 12 hours later, and it looked like nothing had happened.
The next morning, we started bright and early, and were joined by Al Gardner and John DePetro who had to take later flights due to their work obligations. We heard from experts on Israeli Security and the "peace process", including more in depth discussions with Dr. Lerman, who works with Israeli Military Intelligence, and has been a member of Israel's arms control delegation to the Arab-Israeli peace talks since 1992. We then had a brief tour of Tel Aviv, including a visit to Rabin Square, the site of Prime Minister Rabin's assassination, and an (all too brief) tour of Tel Aviv, with out walking text book historian and guide, Menachem Hefetz.
Then it was back to the hotel, and some fascinating discussions about Israeli talk radio with Idele Ross Slepkov, an American-Israeli (she left Detroit 30 years ago) who is a reporter for the Israeli Radio English News Service, as well as a freelancer; and the multi-talented and very personable Elihu Ben Onn, who is a retired General, with great insights and firsthand strategic knowledge which he brings to his radio show.
The subject of censorship came up, and Elihu told us there are very few things which are off limits in Israeli talk radio, but the few topics that are (which is very different from talk radio her in the US) include:
- You can't talk about a person's private life. Private or public figures — doesn't matter.
- You can't compromise national security.
- No inciting of violence or mayhem. You can NOT say "kill Arafat" no matter how much you may want to. You can discuss him , argue policy, but you can't advocate violence.
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We continued on to the Israeli-Arab town of Baqa Al-Gharbiya to learn about Arab-Jewish coexistence. We had lunch and discussions with our gracious hostess Kifah Massarwi, who is an Arab-Israeli very active in social and political change. It was mentioned that she was part of the "tour" last year, and then, as it was this time, discussion of coexistence was to be the topic. Apparently this year, the tone of the discussion had taken a much more "us vs. them" feel, and that the subject of "Israeli occupation and oppression" was omnipresent.
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After leaving Kifah, we continued into Northern Israel up to the Golan Heights. This strategic bit of land has been written about, read about, and become a focal point since Israel captured it in the 1967 war. But nothing prepares you until you're actually there, looking over to the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan and realizing how close in proximity these countries are. We stayed at Kibbutz Merom Goilan, which was just down the hill from the military outpost. There was something very lonely and eerie about being there. Maybe because we arrived at night when it was already dark, or maybe it was the sound of the coyotes howling in the distance. But this was not one of my favorite stops, and needless to say, I don't think any of us had a real good night's sleep.
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We left the base and continued our tour of Israel by visiting some historical and religious sights while traveling towards Jerusalem We traveled along the Sea of Galilee, stopping at the historic town of Capernaum, where Jesus lived and saw the ruins of a synagogue where he had worshiped. We also stopped at the Mount of the Beatitudes where Al Gardner so eloquently read the "sermon on the mount" passage from the Bible, at the same spot where Jesus himself had been. It was very moving for all of us, Christians and Jews alike.
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Day 5 (Thursday) started with a panel discussion with Father Michael McGarry, who is the Rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, where Israelis and Palestinians are able to come together for some much needed dialogue.
The other panel guest was Dr. Muhammad Hourani, an Arab-Israeli who is a coordinator of the Center for Peace and Reconciliation and is a member of the Israel Interfaith Association. A soft-spoken man, his frustrations with the escalating violence and reprisals could be felt. He also indicated that he had to leave early to make it to the hotel in time for our meeting this morning because of the Israeli roadblocks and check points coming into Jerusalem from where he lives. This got quite a debate going, both in this session, and for the rest of the trip. This was mostly between Lars Larson ("a tool for Sharon") and John DePetro ("Arafat's boy"). Although we all joined the debate, you could often hear those two discussing opposing views in the back of the bus while traveling around. Made for VERY lively discussions.
The roadblock issue would go something like this: How DARE the Israeli's set up roadblocks. It's oppressive. But roadblocks don't kill innocent people, their purpose is to PREVENT terrorist activities. I'm OK with the extra security. Look at what El Al has to do. It's understandable why they're doing it. But there wouldn't be as many terrorist activities if there weren't the roadblocks humiliating the Palestinians with their being singled out and checked all of the time. But they wouldn't have to check the Palestinians and search for weapons and explosives if it wasn't a constant problem. The roadblocks obviously don't work if people are still getting in and attacking the population. Yes, but they catch 80% of those trying to come into the areas with weapons and explosives. Imagine what the carnage would be like if they DIDN'T have these checkpoints.
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Our action packed day didn't end here. A phone call was placed to the Prime Minister's office, informing them that there were seven American journalists who would like to attend the press conference that evening, and within a couple hours, and after getting security clearance, we were given the OK to attend. This was quite an exciting moment as the feeling of anticipation of what the Prime Minister was going to say was being discussed all over Israel, not to mention the world.
Security at the Prime Minister's office was through, but polite (as is usually the case in Israel). We got our press credentials, and proceeded to sit in the very front row at the press conference, with all the world's press cameras and reporters packed into the room.
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Journalistic curiosity was getting the better of John DePetro, and he decided to see for himself the living conditions in Ramallah (the Palestinian section just outside of Jerusalem where Arafat is based). He hired a taxi (had to be an Arab driver to get him in since Israelis can't go there) and wasn't able to go too far before they had to turn around for their own safety. Hey John, does the name Daniel Pearl mean anything?!
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Day 6 (Friday) and more seminars with religious scholars who talked about what it's like "living in a fishbowl" and how the Jewish tradition of searching for answers has led to a lot of diversity and dissent among the Israeli government, as well as the general population.
We then visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, which I found moving, disquietingly beautiful, and yet, disturbing.
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Our day continued with a fascinating discussion with a woman journalist with the Jerusalem Post named Etta Prince Gibson — another transplanted American who writes on many subjects, including lifestyle, political and social issues.
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Our last speaker of the day, over a Shabbat dinner, was one of the most entertaining and fascinating of the week. His name is Avraham Infeld, with credits too long to list, but I'll mention that he's a prominent lecturer in Israel and all around the world. He moved from Israel to South Africa ("I don't have an accent... you do!") He was both funny and very thought provoking. One of my favorite quotes of his was from his father: "I'm an Atheist, thank God!" He has a gift of making very complex issues understandable, and able to put issues into terms that can be discussed and looked at from both sides. Get this man to the peace negotiations immediately!
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Day 7 (Saturday), I think was my favorite. We covered a lot of ground (literally) starting with walking through Old Jerusalem. Although it was the Jewish Sabbath, and the marketplace was generally quiet, there were still a few Arab vendors open for business, and glad to see tourists (something they haven't seen too much of lately). We visited holy sites for both Christian and Jews while we were there, making you aware that this was a city that is important and should be open and shared by all religions.
We went inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and were able to go and actually see and touch places where Jesus had been. It's open to anyone who wants to go there. Inside there's an alter, where there is an opening underneath, and you can touch the ground where supposedly Jesus had been crucified and where his cross actually stood.
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We had to hurry, because we were going to be traveling a ways to the historical site of Masada and then for a swim in the Dead Sea. Getting there involved driving through the West Bank, and passing many Bedouin encampments along the way. It's amazing to see these nomads living in crude metal and and wooden "tents" yet you still see a satellite dish and a new tractor along with goats and mules! I sense the Bedouins and the Israelis have a "live and let live" attitude, which is refreshing to see. We had to go through only a couple of check points... there had been recent terrorist attacks on that very road.
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Day 8... Our last full day, and it couldn't have been any fuller! We started with meeting someone truly in the eye of the storm, Gideon Meir, the Deputy Director General for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We met in a room that also serves as a bunker, where Gideon proceeded to tell us how in that very room, during the Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein was sending SCUD missiles into Israel (then) Prime Minister Shamir couldn't get a call into the US Secretary of State (Baker) as the phones didn't work because all the phone company workers in Israel were in bomb shelters! Gideon was able to reach a friend who worked at the phone company, and 45 minutes later they were able to reach the White House (and were told NOT to respond to the scuds). The next day they had a SATELLITE phone system installed.
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Our last official seminar was a discussion of "Israel at the Crossroads" with Author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevi. Born in New York, he immigrated to Israel in 1982, and had some brilliant observations on the changing policies and behind-the-scene happenings in the region over the years. Discussion centered about how Arafat says one thing in English to the media and says completely the opposite in Arabic to his supporters.
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Israel is a tiny country, where everybody seems to know each other. This was never more evident than when we went to a "farewell dinner" at a lovely Moroccan restaurant in the heart of Jerusalem. As we were going in, we noticed more security than usual, and as it turned out, Hillary Clinton was having dinner there with a group of people, including Shimon Peres. Our guide, Menachem, knew some of the security at the door, so we had no problem getting in.
Senator Clinton graciously for a quick chat and a photo op with the group of American talk show hosts upon being told we were there.
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Has there been an increase in violence since we've been back, or am I just more sensitive to it? I think I've always been aware of it, but now I recognize the places they're talking about, and worry about the people I've met who live and work there. They're not just statistics any more. Now it's personal.
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Sue Steinberg is the west coast editor of TALKERS Magazine.
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