Ever since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 there has been conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians who were displaced by the creation of Israel. On October 7, 2023 this conflict escalated when Israel was invaded from the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip. Over 1100 Israeli and foreign nationals were killed and around 250 people were taken as hostages back to Gaza. Reports have also emerged of sexual assault and rape against Israeli civilians. In response, Israeli forces invaded Gaza, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that Israel's goal is "straightforward: to bring home hostages and defeat Hamas." Time Magazine has reported that over 30,000 people were killed in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and March 15, 2024.
Tonight we will be discussing this globally important conflict.
- Do you believe that the Israeli - Palestinian conflict can ever be FULLY resolved? Why or why not?
- There are reports that Israel was aware of Hamas plans to attack long before October 7. Do you believe that this is true? Why or why not?
- Do you think that Israel's INITIAL response to the October 7 attack was appropriate? Why or why not?
- Do you think that Israel's CONTINUING response to the October 7 attack is appropriate? Why or why not?
- Is there a way to resolve the currently escalated tensions between Israel and the Palestinians? If so, what and why? If not, why not?
- Is "an eye for an eye" an effective strategy for some kinds of conflict? If so, for which and why? If not, why not?
- After almost 6 months, is the Israeli - Palestinian conflict "fading" from the public attention? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that there are non-Middle-Eastern third parties who are covertly complicit in this conflict? If so, who and why? If not, why not?
- Who benefits the most from instability in the Middle East? Why?
- There are reports that Iran may accelerate its nuclear program. If this proves to be true, do you think that Israel would be justified in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that the students who are protesting at Columbia, Yale and other universities should be suspended by the schools? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that the US is acting wisely in its continued financial support of Israel? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that protestors at the Legislature in Victoria who are demanding an end to the conflict in Palestine should be arrested? Should the counter-protestors supporting Israel be arrested? Why or why not?
- Should Canada open its doors to Palestinian war refugees as we have for Ukrainians and Syrians in the past? Why or why not?
- What role, if any, should Canada play in seeking a resolution to this conflict? Why?
- Some have said that Israel's response to the October 7 attack is tantamount to a genocide against the Palestinian people. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- How would you propose that the remaining Israeli hostages be released or rescued? Why?
- What impact do you think that this conflict will have on future generations of Palestinians and Israelis? Why?
- Has the West "done" enough? Should we leave this issue to be resolved by regional participants? Why or why not?
- What role, if any, do you think that education can play in providing a long-term solution to this conflict? Why?
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Given the success of this format we are going to be continuing to gather via Zoom.
We will be allowing up to 30 participants for this meeting and, after a brief introduction, we will be splitting off into virtual "tables" of six.
As long as you have RSVP'd before 5:30PM on the day of the event you should receive an email from either Robert or Josh prior to 6:30PM giving you the Zoom meetup credentials.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
If you are a member of Table Conversations and you didn't receive an email announcing THIS Table Conversations meetup then you likely won't receive the email with the Zoom information on the evening of the event. Please confirm that your Meetup.com profile is configured correctly by carefully following the step-by-step instructions in this link: https://www.meetup.com/tableconversations/events/270360456/
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* Room opens at 6:45PM (often earlier) for socialization
* Discussion starts at 7:15 and finishes at 8:45ish
* Keep talking until dawn!
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