PEOPLE IntErvIEw wIth thE cyPrIOt AmbAssAdOr tO IsrAEL EvEnt

48 Pages·2013·4.11 MB·English

September 2013
PEOPLE
IntErvIEw wIth thE
cyPrIOt AmbAssAdOr
tO IsrAEL
EvEnt
trIP tO JudEA & sAmArIA
sPEcIAL:
PhOtOgrAPhy IssuE-
wInnErs And mOrE

Editor's Letter
10 Karlibah St., Tel-Aviv
Dear Friends,
P.O. Box 20344, Tel Aviv 61200, Israel
Like every year in the diplomatic community, summer is a time of changes. So, we are
happy to welcome all the new diplomatic staff to Israel. As well, we’d like to wish our
708 Third Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10017, U.S.A. veteran diplomats a fruitful year starting straight after the summer break.
This issue was composed close to the Jewish High Holidays: Rosh HaShana (the
Club Diplomatique de Geneva Jewish New Years), Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (the Feast of
P.O. Box 228, Geneva, Switzerland the Tabernacles).
So, I am taking this opportunity to wish all of you good health and prosperity during
Publisher The Diplomatic Club Ltd. the year 5774 on the Hebrew calendar.
More than three thousand years ago, the descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel,
General Manager Julia Verdel
united under the leadership of Saul, David and Solomon, the first three Kings of
Israel. These people with their own unique religion joined to become one nation with
Contributing Editor David Rhodes
a Temple and a capitol in Jerusalem which formed the foundation of what is called
the “Old City” today.
Writers Barry Rubin We can learn from this that people of different tribes and cultures can unite under a
Anthony J. Dennis common purpose and when doing so can accomplish great feats together.
Patricia e Hemricourt, Israel
Let hope, that lesson will be carry throughout the region.
Ira Moskowitz, Israel
Bernard Marks, Israel In August, The Diplomatic Club celebrated its 15 year birthday.
Christopher Barder, UK As I look back, it is like a 15 year old adolescent, not fully mature, but not an infant
Ilan Berman, USA either. We have been over the same stages: the challenges of birth, the pain of teething,
the broken voice of puberty and developing our own personality.
Now, we can say with some confidence that we have learned a lot (but are still learning)
Reporter Neil Sander
and have done a lot (but still have much more we want to accomplish) and we are
Ksenia Svetlov
definitely mature enough to say:
Eveline Erfolg
David Rhodes The Diplomatic Club in Israel is proud about its activity over the last 15 years and
looking forward to what we can accomplish together with our readers in the future.
Advertising Tel: [phone] Here, in Israel, at the crossing of three major monotheistic religions and three
[email protected] continents was born the idea of people reaching out to another as diplomats to provide
links between different countries, their people and their leaders. An open mind and
Layout Chana Leah Dror “togetherness” - this has been the philosophy of the Diplomatic Club since 1998.
On the occasion of Israel’s 65 Years of Independence and the International Friendship
Accounting Roded Rinegold
Day the Diplomatic club initiated a photo competition “Israel through Foreign Lenses”.
Diplomats from over the world, foreign journalists, representatives of foreign religions
Legal Support Mati Simchowitz
and UN staff have been exhibiting their photographs of how they view Israel according
Law Office
to several categories:
1) Family 2) Nature & Environment 3) Daily Life 4) Fine Art 5) Religion.
Cover: All of the pictures submitted were appreciated and opened a lot of eyes to how Israel
and Israelis are seen by visitors.
Photo credit: Natalie Ben Dara
The Diplomatic Club is particularly proud of the participation of the young
Chinese movie production of "Old Cinderella" photographers Charlotte Veldkamp and Luka Tomic and hope that their participation
Article on p. 27 and other young photographers becomes a
tradition.
We hope, this exciting experience will be
The Diplomatic Club Magazine
something that you will never forget – a present
Printed Monthly
for a lifetime!
Shana Tova/ a Sweet New Years.
Tel: [phone]
Sincerely,
Fax: [phone]
Julia Verdel
[email protected]
www.diplomacy-club.com Publisher
And the Editorial Team
People
A Good NeiGhbor SeeS
briGhter dAyS AheAd:
AN iNterview of AmbASSAdor
dimitriS hAtziArGyrou of CypruS
By David Rhodes
Cyprus has been in the international Greek debt was unsustainable the decision that affect Cyprus as center for offshore
news recently for its economic challenges to proceed with a PSI (haircut) of the banking center in the future?
and its dramatic bailout by international Greek debt caused massive losses in the
Actually this is the first case in the
organizations. Looking back, how could neighborhood of 4.5 billion euros, a quarter
Eurozone of a case of “bail in”. This means
have it been avoided on Cyprus’s part and of Cyprus’ GNP, to the Cypriot banks
that to recapitalize the banks which is
what steps is Cyprus taking to make sure which had earlier purchased Greek bonds
a necessary condition for any economy
it doesn’t happen again? at very attractive rates. As the banks had
to jump start, these huge amounts were
The problem faced by Cyprus is something to be bailed out by the state, the national
decided by the Eurogroup decision of 15
that other countries have faced over the debt of Cyprus, which up until then was
March and subsequently of the following
years. It concerns primarily irresponsible manageable, reached unsustainable levels.
decision of 25 March, that they would
policies of expansion pursued by the two Then the downgrades of the country’s
have to be raised by Cyprus, something
major banks of our country which landed credit worthiness begun which meant
that would make the debt of the state
them in financial trouble. As a result of that we could no longer turn to the
unsustainable pushing the country into
their behavior Cyprus faced successive international markets to refinance our
default. That is how the decision was taken
downgrades by the major credit rating debt (as all countries do).
to proceed with the haircut of deposits.
houses and as a result of that for the last
As part of an 18 billion Euro bailout Cyprus thus became a guinea pig on how
two years we could not secure refinancing
Cyprus is expected to come up with banks that run into trouble in the future
of the national debt. This was the reason
about 7 billion Euro of its own. Is that will be dealt with. That is, other than
why we had to apply to the European
realistic? Much of it is targeting large the 100,000 euros of depositors, which
Stability Mechanism for a bailout.
depositors in your banks. How much is are insured, the banks themselves, their
How much was what happened to Cyprus that from foreign depositors and how will stock holders, the holders of their bonds
self-afflicted and how much part of
being part of the European Union? Did
the collapse of Greek economy play a
crucial role in dragging down the Cypriot
economy?
The over-expansion of the banks cannot be
said to be necessarily a bad development.
Unfortunately in the case of Cyprus,
this over-expansion was followed by
irresponsible policies by the banks which
created a lot of problems. The fact that
Cyprus was a member of the Eurozone did
not of itself cause the problems. The lack
of proper oversight on the other hand did
its part in bringing the banks down and
led the country, which had to bail them
out,into dire financial straits.
The problems of the Cyprus banks begun
Ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou
when the Greek economy collapsed and
had to apply for a bailout. And as the
4 The Diplomatic Club Magazine
People
and the rest of the depositors will have to would expect, for the provision of the 10 included raising taxes, substantial cutbacks
contribute for the recapitalization of the billion euro bailout, aim at achieving fiscal in salaries and reduction of spending. The
banks. A considerable amount of these consolidation so that the country can face result of this was a reduction in economic
deposits come from foreign depositors the immediate challenges and move ahead activity with all that that entails. One
although Cypriots (and by that I mean, out of this crisis. As in previous bailouts particular negative development was an
individuals as well as institutions) were in Eurozone countries (and not only) the increase in unemployment, particularly
the bigger losers. This development will exit from the crisis requires policies that among the young. Our GNP is expected
certainly affect Cyprus as an international reduce expenses and increase government to shrink for the next couple of years which
banking center but it does not mean that revenues. This, in almost all cases, requires will impact negatively on many, mostly
it will cease to exist. The international sacrifices by everyone. small and medium size companies. And
banking sector will shrink and we hope this will increase unemployment. A lot of
The initial reaction by the average Cypriot
with proper oversight it will be able to people and real estate companies are facing
at the decision of 15 March was one of
bounce back in due time. There are already problems paying their mortgages but we
shock and apprehension. Cypriots did not
many companies with operations in Cyprus have not yet seen massive foreclosures. The
go out into the street to protest against
which have announced that they will be government is taking measures to avoid
the government. There was, naturally,
staying in Cyprus and continue to benefit this scenario which we have witnessed in
disappointment at the way that Cyprus
from its low corporate tax rate and high other countries by, for example, reaching
became a guinea pig of its European
levels of professional services. agreements with the banks, to lengthen
partners and at the lack of solidarity
repayment periods.
How are Cypriots reacting to the displayed. And let us not forget the role
Prices are not skyrocketing; on the contrary
economic crisis? How is it playing out of certain circles in Europe which, using
we have seen a reduction as people are
as far as cutting government programs? the too-eager press, particularly in one
more cautious with their money. Inflation
Are business’s closing? Homes being
member state, undertook a fierce campaign
is stable. Construction has practically
foreclosed? Are prices skyrocketing or
to portray our country as a haven of
come to a standstill, even though this
is inflation staying stable? Are loans
dirty Russian money. The recent results
was a sector of the economy which had
for businesses and mortgages frozen? Is
of a committee to investigate that claim,
experienced a slowdown 18 months or so
new construction dormant until this all
in which Moneyval and DeLoitte were
before the crisis; but, nonetheless, there is
plays out?
involved, proved that this was highly
a glut of properties on the market at very
exaggerated.
The result of this unprecedented decision competitive prices. This was because there
by the Eurogroup has pushed the country My government took a series of substantial was a huge boom in construction after
into recession. The strings attached, as one measures to limit the fiscal deficit. These 2004 when we acceded to the EU and
The Cyprus Coastine
The Diplomatic Club Magazine 5
People
buyers were flooding the market. As these Cyprus and Israel have had traditionally In Cyprus we view the current division not
properties are being sold and the banking good relations. Over the last 3 years, in terms of religion – pitting Christians
sector is stabilized and recapitalized we way before the crisis, the relationship against Moslems but rather in terms
expect that the construction sector will qualitatively expanded. We have seen an of an invasion and illegal occupation
start to move again. 2013 and 2014 will increase in Israeli tourists and investors in of a sovereign country, in violation of
be tough years but we hope that by 2015 Cyprus and we have concluded an array international law by one of its neighbors.
the economy’s engines will start to rev up of bilateral agreements which create the The relationship between Greek Cypriots
again. legal institutional framework for expanding and Turkish Cypriots is not one of deep
cooperation in many areas and of course hatred. Let us not forget that in Cyprus we
Other than all the international
bodies that have stepped in, have there are the prospects of cooperation in have had a clash of imported nationalisms
neighboring countries been able to the energy sector where both our countries which led to the Turkish invasion of our
country in 1974. That invasion is the cause
offer any assistance? Has it affected the have been blessed with substantial amounts
of the division of the island, and it is being
relationship between Israel and Cyprus? of natural gas. This last development is
perpetuated by the presence of a large,
another area from which we hope to
Cyprus enjoys good relations with all benefit from in coming out of the current heavily armed, Turkish occupying force
its neighbors (except of course Turkey economic doldrums. which has isolated the Turkish Cypriot
which continues to occupy 37% of its community. Greek Cypriots and Turkish
territory). We have not requested What is the current political situation Cypriots lived peacefully on the island for
assistance from our neighbors but we feel like in Cyprus? It’s a divided isle with centuries and they proved that they can
that the prospects are there for mutually 1/3 Turkish/Muslim Cypriots in the do so again when in 2003 the Turkish
beneficial cooperation. There are many north and mostly Greek Christians in occupying army allowed people to cross
opportunities for investment in Cyprus and the south, how do the two parts of the the dividing line. This is testified by the
our country has a lot to offer. The stability island get along? Do people travel to the fact that since 2003 with millions of
of EU membership, an investment friendly other sides? Is there trade between the crossings taking place there have been no
environment, a highly educated workforce two sides? Is there much violence? Is major incidents, and certainly absolutely
and competitive investment opportunities. the relationship of Greek and Turkish no violence, between the two Cypriot
Our tourism sector will continue to grow, Cypriots reflective of relationship communities.
a decision was taken to proceed with the between Greece and Turkey and how The big challenge before us now and for
development of casinos in the island, the are these two countries getting along? the last 39 years is how we secure a solution
maritime sector seems to be unaffected by What are the long term prospects for a that will reunify the island and will allow
the crisis and our offshore sector and even more unified Cyprus and better relations all Cypriots to live in the land of their
the banking sector will rebound. between Greece and Turkey? ancestors without foreign interference.
That is the crux of the problem. The
international community via the Good
Offices of the Secretary General of the
United Nations has invested heavily in
attempting to arrive at a solution of the
Cyprus Problem. The problem, despite
often verbal declarations in support for
a solution emanating from Ankara, is
Turkish policy on Cyprus. A policy that
wants to maintain control by using the
Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus,
as a tool in achieving its aims in the
area. The government of Cyprus and the
recently elected President Anastasiades
are determined to pursue a just and viable
solution to this anachronism that would
guarantee the reunification of the island
with full rights and protections for all its
citizens. We hope that by this Fall the
discussions will begin again for yet another
6 The Diplomatic Club Magazine
People
effort at tackling the problem. Greece international community supports a two- affinity with western culture while at the
does not interfere in the decisions of the state solution. same time being cognizant of his or her
government of Cyprus and steadfastly Mediterranean identity.
Cyprus is one country with no borders
supports the efforts of the United Nations
and movement within it should be free. What’s the short history of the
in this respect. It fully respects the fact
Cyprus is a geographical island. Israel on relationship between Israel and Cyprus
that Cyprus is an independent country, a
the other hand has defined borders and it is and where is it today and how do you see
member of the UN and the EU, and will
more of a question of its relationship with it evolving?
determine its own future. I wish I could
its neighbors that gives the impression of
say the same for Turkey. The history of the region that both people
“an island in the sand”.
live in is a very turbulent one. Cypriots and
How do you think Cyprus unresolved
I imagine Cyprus considers itself part of Jews have interacted throughout history. In
divided nature compares to Israel’s
the Eastern Mediterranean region rather the First Century A.D. the island hosted a
unresolved borders? Also Israel is sort of
than part of the Middle East (although great number of Jews. During Roman rule
an “island in the sand” with its neighbors
it is greatly affected by events nearby). in the Second Century the Romans wiped
being destinations Israeli citizens can’t
Many Israelis are trying to rebrand Israel out the Jewish population of the island in
(Syria and Lebanon) or generally don’t
as part of the Eastern Med rather than their effort to maintain their control on the
(Egypt and Jordan) travel to. So do you
part of the Middle East since the whole island. Since then there was only limited
see similarities here to life in Israel to
country is within 1 1/2 hours drive of presence of Jews on Cyprus. In more recent
that in Cyprus?
the Mediterranean and culturally we times, in the 1930’s and 40’s a number
Cyprus is a clear case of invasion and have more in common with countries of Jews moved to the island in order to
foreign occupation of an independent and like Greece and Cyprus than Israel does escape the rise of Nazism in Europe.
sovereign member of the United Nations with Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Having They set up businesses there and did well.
Organization perpetrated by another lived in Cyprus and Israel, do you see a lot My own grandfather worked for a Jewish
country also a member of the UN. There of similarities in the cultures and how? man who had set up a workshop in my
are many UNGA and UNSC resolutions hometown of Larnaka and made dentures.
calling on Turkey to withdraw its troops Yes I do see similarities between the two After the Second World War, Cyprus was
from Cyprus. Turkey refuses to do that. In Mediterranean peoples. I do not feel out used as a stepping stone for Jews moving
the case of Israel, although there are also of place when I walk down Rothschild to Palestine. Most of the Cypriot Jews
UN resolutions concerning the case, the Blvd or down Makariou Street in Nicosia. moved to Israel after its establishment.
situation is not as clear cut as in Cyprus. In Cyprus feels European and at the same More than 50,000 European Jews trying to
Cyprus the UN calls for the reunification time part of the Eastern Mediterranean. reach Israel in the years 1946 – 1949 were
of the territory while in the MEPP the I imagine that the average Israeli feels an interned on the island by the British who
The Diplomatic Club Magazine 7
People
held Cyprus as a colony. 2,000 children population, do they travel much to truly exceptional experience.
were born in these internment camps. The Israel as pilgrims or for recreation? Is
Are there anythings you especially miss
Cypriot population at the time provided a visa required? How many Israelis visit
from Cyprus? It's not that far away how
help, on a human level, to these people and Cyprus? It is often stated that some
often do you travel back and forth?
assisted a small number of them to escape Israelis travel to Cyprus for civil unions
and reach Palestine. that aren’t accessible in Israel. What else
Of course I miss Cyprus, family and
Following the establishment of the is attracting Israelis to Cyprus? friends as well as watching my favorite
independent Republic of Cyprus in 1960,
football team and but as it is so close (36
Trade between the two countries stands
the two countries established diplomatic
at 700 million euros annually. Israelis go minutes flying time) I visit there very often
relations immediately. Since then the
to Cyprus for tourism and many Cypriot (every couple of months).
relations have been friendly. In more
pilgrims come to Israel to visit the Holy
recent years, as I mentioned before, the What vision do Cypriot officials have
Land. The number of Israeli tourists to
relationship between Cyprus and Israel for a future Cyprus and Israel together
Cyprus stands at about 90,000 annually
has progressed rapidly. In 1995 the first and separately?
while about 15,000 Cypriots visit Israel.
synagogue was established in Larnaka to
cater to the more than 300 Israelis who A visa is not required for Cypriot and The job of every ambassador is to see the
now live or have holiday homes on the Israeli passport holders. A good number of relations of the country he represents to
weddings take place in Cyprus, from our
island. There is a wide array of cooperation grow during his tenure in the country
records, about 600 last year alone.
on many levels. Tourism is increasing that hosts him. My experience here
steadily while many Cypriot doctors come What attracts Israelis to Cyprus is the easy over the last two years is that there is
to Israel to specialize in many fields of going way of life on the island coupled tremendous political will on both sides to
medicine. A Cypriot university, a British with the beauty of the country and its further enhance our relationship. We are
University and Tel Aviv University are beautiful climate and particularly its great working hard, on both sides, to achieve
cooperating to set up a medical school in beaches. The same can be said for the more that. This is testified by the many official
Cyprus. In short, the omens are good for than 3 million other tourists that flock to
visits including that of former President
expanding these relations. our country every year. Proximity is also
Christofias in March of 2011, President
another factor. It takes 36 minutes for the
What kind of commerce and assistance Peres to Cyprus in November of the same
flight to Cyprus and we would like to see
exists between the two countries? year, the first ever visit by an Israeli Prime
more Israelis spend their weekends there.
We know there is a mostly Christian Minister when PM Netanyahu visited
Do you have family with you in Israel? Cyprus in February of last year and the
What kind of activities do you enjoy newly elected President Anastasiades in
together or separately? What have some May of this year. Not to mention the many
you favorite places to visit in Israel? Ministerial and Senior Officials visits to
both countries.
I am here in Israel with my wife Elpida.
I have a son who is currently attending We are neighbors and as such we are
university in the United States. I am an avid destined to cooperate. So we are constantly
lover of the sea (being a Mediterranean) looking for opportunities to cooperate.
and thus I adore swimming and snorkeling. There is very good will on both sides.
Of course, my interests include reading, After all we are friendly neighbors with
primarily history, archaeology and no divisive issues between us. Our hope,
literature. I play chess and love to travel. as Cyprus, is to see all the countries in our
I have visited Israel north to south and region cooperate for the common good.
east to west. My favorite place to visit The beautiful Mediterranean Sea is our
is the Old City of Jerusalem. One of
backyard. Let us work together to make it
the greatest experiences that I have had
truly a Sea of Peace.
was going on a private tour underneath
Jerusalem and exploring the tunnels and
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the City of David. As I have a passion Ambassador Hatziaryrou is a career diplomat
for archaeology and history (one of the with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Ambassador Dimitris Hatziargyrou
Ambassador’s diplomas is in Modern Republic Cyprus and has been serving as
Greek & Byzantine studies) this was a Ambassador to Israel since March 2011.
8 The Diplomatic Club Magazine
Middle East Digest
deep rootS ANd hiGh hopeS:
the diplomAtiC Club viSited JudeA & SAmAriA
By David Rhodes
On a Sunday morning, June 9th, 2013, vineyards belonging to Jewish families. Our second stop was the site of the ancient
the Diplomatic Club left Tel Aviv by town of Shiloh which had been the capitol
Our first stop traveling north was at
bus to tour Judea and Samaria (also of the Twelve Tribes of Israel for 369 years
the Binyamin Tourism Visitor Center
known as the West Bank). Along for before eventually moving to Jerusalem
which is a short ride north of Jerusalem
the tour were diplomats, representatives and its role in history and its location are
and also hosts the Psagot Winery, the
from NGO’s and graduate students from mentioned in the Old Testament’s Book
southern most winery on what some have
Austria, Denmark, India and Kenya and of Judges. Excavations have unearthed
called the Biblical WIne Route. We were
the Ukraine. Of special note was the antiquities and ruins dating back over 3000
treated to a satiating breakfast and a taste
presence of the Ambassador of Costa years and a modern village of Shiloh was
of the 2010 Psagot Merlot but we weren’t
Rica Rodrigo Carreras, who is serving his built nearby in 1978.
just along for a whimsical romp. Settler
second term in that role after a stint in the After a short walking tour of the ruins (we
movement representative Danny Dayan
1980’s and whose father, Benjamin Nunez, had a packed schedule) we were fortunate
met with us and gave us his perspective
also had been been the Ambassador some enough to be some of the first guests
on chances for peace in the region. He
four decades ago. As a group we were to experience a unique new theatrical
wasn’t overly optimistic on the chances of
cordially hosted by the Binyamin Tourism presentation in a state of the art facility
peace coming from a two state solution and
Council. The Binyamin region is located that projected a film onto a screen of
just north of Jerusalem leading up Route believed that instead of focusing on peace twelves pains of glass (symbolizing the
6 which follows a historic path dating back in the region, international players should aforementioned Twelves Tribes) which
thousands of years that has both Jewish focus on justice for all parties including as windows overlook the valley where
and Arab towns on either side along its Palestinian refugees still living in camps the Tabernacle housing the Ark of the
length often dotted by olive trees belonging who he claimed are there only to be used Covenant once stood. The experience
to residents of nearby Arab villages or as pawns by their leaders. serves as an effective way of connecting
the viewer with the area as its portrayed
in the film.
Additionally, recently found burnt raisins
that date back thousands of years at the
site of Ancient Shiloh give hope that a
mystery of what wine grapes were native
to the period may be answered. A nearby
winemaker aspires to being able to recreate
wine from that era once he knows which
grapes were used in that era. It remains to
be seen if wine made to be authentic to that
era which may have been watered down,
flavored and preserved with additives like
pine resin, herbs and date honey would be
very palatable to connoisseurs today or if
the winemaker would go to those extremes
in his attempt to make the wine authentic.
We would break for lunch nearby at the
Tura Winery, a small family run operation
with a charming visitor center. With a long
tasting table that can accommodate dozens
Meeting between the President of Ariel University and the Diplomatic Club Mission of guests for a tasting of any of Tura’s eight
wines or a feast of various meats, an array
The Diplomatic Club Magazine 9
Middle East Digest
of salads, roasted vegetables and fresh to be a multi-cultural beacon for the that area by decades. Another project is
fruit; our day’s bounty continued as we region as it has only 500 Arab students to recycle wastewater in the area so that
enjoyed both a small feast and two of Tura’s currently attending but Danon is proud it can be reused for agricultural purposes
awarding winning red wines which were that that those students are allowed for everyone in the region: Jew, Muslim
underscored by the hospitality of our hosts. to attend without having to make any or Christian. It’s sadly ironic that the
At these first three stops we were visiting lifestyle changes they would need to make blanketing boycott of assistance that Ariel
with people who settled the area who attending other Israeli universities and the University endures includes even programs
had a passion to live in an area that had campus makes whatever accommodations that are meant to assist the people the
huge religious and cultural significance necessary for the students to fit in and boycott is meant to help.
for them as Jews returning to part of hopes more Arab students would attend Our last stop before heading back to
their ancestral homeland even though it in the future. Tel Aviv, was at a plastics factory further
was not within Israel’s border’s after its One point of frustration for the Ariel’s west in the industrial park in Barkan.
War of Independence in 1948 (or was the administration is their difficulty obtaining We were guided through the facility by
Western Wall and Temple Mount in the grants from the European Union and Yehuda Cohen who oversees the operation.
Old City for that matter, the holiest site in from the United States for being located This one factory employed an almost
Judaism). Although the future sovereignty “behind the 1967 green line.” Even for equal mix of 90 Jews and Arabs who
of this land is in question, there’s no research that would benefit Arabs in made plastic parts for plumbing as well
doubt these people have a connection the area, the university faces an uphill as consumer products most of which
to where they live and a sincere desire battle finding funding and must often were sold to customers in Israel. A recent
to preserve it as place of significance of find a research partner outside of the boycott from Palestinians has hurt business
Jewish and even Christian heritage. In territories on many projects to access tremendously but seems counter intuitive
fact, hundreds of Christians from around grants. Two projects show that the AU since many of the companies employ
the world volunteer to harvest grapes at is trying to be a good neighbor to all of Arabs at far higher salaries than they
various wineries in the region. the region’s residents. With a very low life can find in their own towns. Discussion
It was another short ride, this time west expectancy in the northern Shomron, due from Palestinian authorities to have
along Route 5 before we reached Ariel to the cancer causing fumes that are a by Arab workers quit their job never went
University, the only Israeli university product of the dominant charcoal industry, anywhere as they provide some of the best
in the region. The university just went the university has been developing new opportunities for thousands of Palestinians
through the lengthy process of obtaining charcoal processing procedures to protect who get along quite well with the Jewish
its accreditation recently transitioning Arab workers and residents from fumes co-workers who both get paid the same
from being a college. It’s expanding faculty, that lower the life expectancy for those in for the same jobs and there are Arabs
the amount of world renown research, who are even managers overseeing both
its offering of graduate and doctoral Arab and Jewish workers. Employees also
programs all played a part in it not only socialize together at company outings and
becoming a local hub for students in the politics seem to stay outside the workplace
region but drawing students from all over even during tense times such as the recent
Israel and starting to attract students Pillars of Defense conflict with Gaza.
from overseas including a special track for This kind of economic cooperation is
MBA students from Russia. The President seen by some as one ray of hope how the
of the University, Dr. Yehuda Danon, region may evolve into a perceived place
is also the former Surgeon General of of peaceful coexistence and even symbiotic
Israel. He asserted that the university synergy and not the depository of despair
has had no problem attracting quality that is portrayed often by people who never
faculty to instruct its expanding student set foot in the area to talk to its residents.
body of close to 15,000 students, 2,000 of
whom live on campus in dorms. With its
“Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in
new and expanding programs, Dr. Danon
touching them with your hands. But like the
believes aspiring academics have a greater
seafaring man on the desert of waters, you
probability of quicker career opportunities Meeting between the President
choose them as your guides, and following
than they might at older universities of Ariel University and the
them you will reach your destiny.”- Carl
with more entrenched professors. The Diplomatic Club Mission
Schurz, 1859.
university has only touched on its potential
10 The Diplomatic Club Magazine