Throughout the program our group
embarked on site visits, had lectures, and enjoyed informational tours on a
variety of topics. However, in order to
truly grasp the current state of Israeli politics it was necessary to meet with
those who actually represent the government as policy-makers and experts. Two specific days in the jam-packed 2 ½ week
schedule fulfilled this job of hearing directly from those who play a role in
Israel’s current political and governmental scene. The first of these days included a trip to
the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, with the next being a visit to
the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
In our trip to the Knesset the
class met with two current Members of Knesset (MKs), MK Boaz Toporovsky of Yesh
Atid and MK Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsour of Ra’am Ta’al. In preparation for these meetings the class
listened to a lecture from Professor Ziv on the state of domestic Israeli politics,
including the background of Israeli political parties and make-up of the political
left and right in Israel. In meeting with
MK Toporovsky the class got the valuable chance to hear from an MK in the rising
Yesh Atid party, known for its success in the latest election cycle and for
party head Yair Lapid (Minister of Finance).
The young MK, with a background in student activism, discussed his personal
and party’s interest in tackling the pressing social issues in Israel
today. Toporovsky fielded questions from
the class on the issues of importance to the MK, as well as challenging
inquires to his party’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Following the meeting with a young Yesh Atid
MK, the class switched gears to meet with MK Sheikh Sarsour. In contrast to the social agenda of
Toporovsky, MK Sarsour passionately lectured on the status of Israeli Arabs and
Palestinians in today’s Israeli society.
The Ra’am Ta’al representative called for significant improvement in the
treatment of Israeli Arabs, and discussed an array of topics in relation to
equality in education, employment, and political rights. By meeting with a pair of contrasting MKs
from parties that differ significantly, the class benefited from seeing the
diversity which makes up the Knesset. While,
even for the casual observer, it is relatively easy to grasp the party system
in American politics, I think the class came away from our Knesset visits with
an appreciation for the more in-depth party structure of Israeli politics.
(Us with MK Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsour of Ra'am Ta'al)
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