Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Picture Show
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/493/picture-show?act=1#play
Click on the link above and listen to a segment from the National Public Radio show called This American Life. This particular episode has a segment about life for Palestinian Settlers in the West Bank. Photographs and other means of "mapping" are done by Israeli soldiers. The question becomes: Why do this and how does this bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict?
Listen to this segment and answer the following questions:
1. What do you believe is the ultimate purpose to these techniques used by the Israeli military?
2. What benefits and consequences are provided to Israel and the Palestinians through this?
3. Defend or refute these measures used by the Israeli army. Why?
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The Israeli military does this "mapping" to let the Palestinians know that they are being watched all the time, and that the Israelis are always there. They are "demonstrating their presence." It gives the Palestinians no sense of peace or privacy; it weakens their morale. Because of this Israel can feel that they are keeping the Palestinians in check, but they have to keep up with their efforts or else it will seem as though their presence is weakened. For the Palestinians, the mapping doesn't seem to have any benefits, but the consequences are that they are afraid at night and cannot have a sense of calm or rest. I do not like the motive for this tactic by the Israelis; it is like something out of a dystopian world, like Big Brother watching, or telescreens in every room. However, it is a, so far, nonviolent way of "demonstrating their presence," so it is preferable to other tactics that cause more destruction, death, and pain.
ReplyDeleteClarity Phillips