Looking Back

The forcible removal of settlers from Gaza by Ariel Sharon is a turning point in the settlement policy practiced by all Israeli governments, both Labor and Likud, since the 1967 War.  The Conversations with History archive has several interviews worth looking at for an understanding of what brought Israel to this traumatic moment in its history.  I recommend three interviews:  “Coming to Terms with Israel ,” a conversation with Ian Lustick, Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennyslvania. http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people2/Lustick/lustick-con0.html  Ian has studied the interplay between Israeli fundamentalists and Israeli political leaders that inexorably led to today’s events.  Moreover, his analysis is embedded in a rich understanding of comparative politics, well versed in the story of former colonial powers that confronted independence movements and settler resistance.   A second interview is with historian Tom Segev, a commentator for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people4/Segev/segev-con0.html  The interview, “Israeli National Identity.” includes a fascinating discussion of the critical question “Who is an Israeli?” a question that needs to be addressed as new waves of immigration and increased dependency on the United States have both left their mark.  Finally, turn to my interview with Haaretz commentator Amira Hass, for a discussion of “Occupation and Terrorism.”  http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people3/Hass/hass-con0.html   Here there are insights into the intended and unintended consequences of Israel ’s occupation policies.