culture gap

I'm doing another graduate degree while I continue to work two jobs, and despite the difficulty in meeting assignment deadlines and finding the time to complete my course readings, I'm loving every minute of the program.

But something struck me today.

My class consists of professionals from many differant fields. We have lawyers, UN workers, NGO directors, Diplomants, and etc as members of the small class. Out of 32 students, at least 20 are non-jewish and have come to study in Israel specifically because of the strength of the program.

The class diversity means that we tend to have exceptionally interesting discussions. But what hit me wasn't so much a discussion as a few emails from a close friend and classmate from Japan.

This morning she posted a facebook notice that she's heading to Gaza for a picnic. Someone posted a comment that she should say hello to Gilad and maybe even use some of that sweet doll like charm to persuade Hama's henchmen to release him. I thought it was a peculiar choice of locale for a picnic.

After a morning of facebook exchanges, I noticed that she sent our class an email telling us that she had developed an interest in the french perspective on the holocaust. She suggested some books written in the french language and noted how she preferred a pro zionist take on the holocaust experience. I thought it was unusual that she would out of the blue feel the need to discuss the holocaust interest right after expressing her interest in going to gaza, as if she assumed a need to appease our jewish and arab classmates at the same time. It felt like a small person was stretching over too far a chasm that was only imaginary.

Is this what we've (Israel) created? A situation where our global friends and family constantly assume it's necessary to balance an israeli action with an arab action. Why can't we just frame things on their own? Realistically, Israel has so little to do with resolution in conflict ridden regions that constantly tying actions together is leading everyone in the wrong direction.