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Israeli-Palestinian conflictWhy is there even a conflict between Israel and

Palestine in the first place? Well, biblically after the Israelites fled from Egypt, the Lord told the Israelite nation to take the land of Canaan, which is the Palestine of today. But after that the Romans conquered them, and the Arabs overtook the them in turn.

The land which the Arabs took power included the Jewish Holy Land of Jerusalem. This was a reason for their religious war.

After World War I, there was an attempt to grant the Israelite people their own nation, but this meant that the land would be taken from the Palestinians. After World War II, relocation of the Jewish people after the Holocaust increased their immigration into Palestine.

In 1948, The UN security Council declared Israel it’s own state, resulting in the relocation of Palestinians into concentration camps in Giza and the Western Bank.

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MAIN EXISTING CONFLICTS• TERRITORIAL. Who owns the land?

• RELIGION. Holy land dispute, and difference in beliefs.

• WATER. The water in arid climate is scarce, and Israel controls most of the water distribution in that area, giving priority to its people.

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Territorial conflict

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WHY SHOULD THE PEACE TALKS PULL THROUGH?it should push through because both nations only have the end goal of

conflict resolution and establishment of borders. But beyond that, say, Unity or community for a stronger future, there is no action being taken on the large scale.

By supporting this event…

1)the appreciation of and respect for each other's cultures, similarities and differences present.

2) The youth is given a chance to effect change in matters that concern them greatly. Very often is the effect of war on youth overlooked, even when they are the ones who are most traumatized and scarred by such events.

3) It illustrates the harmony men can have with each other, placed under the right circumstances of civility and communication. It fosters a sense of commonality and communion.

LOGISTICS:

• Location : •New York City, United Nations Headquarters (open grass area)•CONCERT: grass area•EVENING MEAL: large tent

• Participants of Event•Delegates of Israel and Palestine to “A Night Beyond Borders”•Scholars from top Universities, and youth leaders from both countries. • Youth talent

LOCATION: NYC, United Nations HQ (grass

area)

LOGISTICS:

Theme and aesthetics:

DECOR: Garden of Eden, because in the time before adam and eve has sinned the garden was a perfect place, there was no conflict, no misunderstanding, no pride, no arrogance, and no greediness. It was a peaceful place that God has set for his people. Back then there was only balance and peace.

Theme and aesthetics:

CONCERT STAGE:

Theme and aesthetics:

TABLE ARRANGEMENT: Round Tablesit is custom in both cultures to seat leaders at the head of the table, and honored guests

to the right of the head. By chosing round tables, it symbolic of the equality among men that we are trying to promote.

Theme and aesthetics:

MAIN TENT:

Schedule:

4:30-4:50pm General Assembly

5:00pm Foreword and introduction made by UN head

5:10pm Start of Concert

5:11-5:30pm Arab Jewish youth orchestra (classical music-Eine Klein Nacht Mozart/Symphony 9 Sherzo Beethoven ) with Mier Wiesel as conductor

5:23-5:47pm DAM from Palestine (showcase hip-hop infused with traditional Israeli-Palestinian dance moves)

5:50-6:05pm Zenn (Israeli band based in Milwaukee Jewish Day School performing 2 covers of Palestinian music group,  Checkpoint Rock)

6:05-6:20pm 15 minute intermission

6:20-6:35pm YONIM (performing a classical Israeli folk dance and 2 contemporary rendition pieces)

6:40-6:55pm Palestinian Children’s Orchestra with vocals and strings (Classical Bach and Choir)

7:30-10:00pm Evening Meal

Schedule:

EVENING MEAL (7:30-10:00)

Since the venue is a large white tent, Israeli and Palestinian Art wil be projected onto the walls of the tent, providing entertainment and ambiance to the delegates and the youth. The featured pieces will range from paintings, to graphic design, sculptures, ideas, yet all by budding young artists.

EVENING MEAL

MENU:Fruit juices (lemon, orange,

pomegranate)Water infused with mint leaves or lemon juiceFresh sweetened milk

 Olives, (in olive oil with pita bread for dipping

Wild Honey with bread for dipping

Dried fruits  and nuts (ie dates, raisins, figs)

Fresh fruits (CItrus fruits, pomegranates, grapes, dates, figs, and other selection of fruits)

ART EXHIBIT(theme: life stories and aspirations)Images of the art will be flashed along the sides of the tent throughout the night, showcasing the potential and talent availbale in their communities.

• Latzet Mehakufsa (Getting Out of the Box)

• Painted cans CityArt Pieces for Peace Peace wall in Jaffa

• Israel Palestine Youth Photographers • A number of other Palestinian and

Israeli artists who exhibit experiences and realizations on conflict. (ie. JUMANA MANNA, ABDALLAH AL RUZZI, Hannah Sahar, Yochay Avrahami, Tel Aviv,  etc.)  

EVENING MEAL

WORDS OF THE YOUTHAs a closing for the night, young people will share

their personal experiences on how much the youth can impact the state of the conflict. They will aslo make cheers to peace and unity, cheers to fulfilled dreams, and future aspirations, with sparkling grape juice. Others will share short experiences they had growing in such an environment.

 Onevoice Youth Program Innovate Palestine Youth

Federation for World Peace, and the children who participated in the International Youth Leadership project in Israel and Palestine. Innovate Palestine Scholars and other community youth leaders.  

EVENING MEAL

RELEVANCE:

YOUTHS: As found in Dr. Del Felice's study, Young people, as members of a dynamic group in society, play a crucial role in positively transforming conflict situations and in building the foundations of democratic and peaceful. The youth of today are the future leaders, and spear heads, and world shakers of tomorrow. Invest in the youth, and you invest in the future. Listen to what the young people have to say, what hey have to share, and they won;t be afraid of standing up for what is right in the future.

THE GUESTS:

RELEVANCE:

IMMERSION of Delegates and youth leaders: to encourage each party to being open minded of the children's fresh perspectives, and in turn be more willing to listen to each other. By opening a line of discourse, through the means of youth participation, we help alleviate the tension. Delegates would practice restraint and act accordingly to set a right example for the young people.

THE GUESTS:

RELEVANCE:

ART AND MUSIC ACTIVITIES, because art appreciation and art expression is subjective, yet complete. The freedom of expression stands, and it can inspire in a way words or treaties cannot. Art and music can speak the most profound things, yet say nothing.

ACTIVITIES

EVENING MEAL, since in their culture, they don't really like dinner, we just made it an evening meal, targeted more on fellowship and conversation rather than making them full.

RELEVANCE:

We decided to host the Event outside of that area, to ease the tension. It would also be a risk to host it in either one of their lands, due to the risk of terrorism. Since UN is holding the event, what better venue than the UN headquarters itself?

LOCATION

1. What are your learning experiences while doing the project?In this project, we saw how hard it is to appease such an intense, long-running conflict as the one between Israel and Palestine. Planning such an event is very hard, especially when you have to consider culture of two groups that hate each other.2. What helped you in finishing your task?Online sources helped a lot, especially since the conflict we chose is getting a lot of heat in terms of media. Israel and Palestine are actually very similar cultures since they are situated so close to each other, which made it easier for us to plan the event.

REFLECTION:

REFLECTION:

3. What made it difficult for you in finishing the task?Thinking of the right combination of performances, the order, how to remain neutral yet still nurture an atmosphere of cultural pride and respect.

4. What realizations and insights did you gain from our topic, Culture?we have realized that it isn't so much as slandering your brother or disrespecting him that causes conflict. Such things can be appeased. It is the disrespect of his culture and heritages. We have aslo learned to look at such delicate situations at every angle, and be more objective in making decisions.

SOURCES:

http://cityarts.org/Pieces-for-Peace/about-pieces-for-peace/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/palestinian-refugee-camp-children-orchestrahttp://www.jewishchronicle.org/article.php?article_id=5940http://www.israel21c.org/social-action/painting-israeli-youth-in-colors-of-successhttp://israelipalestinian.procon.org/http://www.usip.org/publications/palestinian-israeli-youth-leaders-brief-usip-staff-peacebuilding-effortshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_cuisineisrael - Junior World Cultures - Site Searchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_cuisinehttp://www.peacestudiesjournal.org.uk/dl/PCD%20ISSUE%2011%20ARTICLE-The%20Unexplored%20Power%20and%20Potential%20of%20Youth%20as%20Peace-Builders_Celina%20Del%20Felice%20and%20Andria%20Wisler.pdf