Historic Moment For Israel Tied to Southbury
Seven years ago, the Palestinian city of Jenin in the West Bank embodied the fierce struggle between Israel and Palestine. It was a breeding ground for suicide bombers and also was the scene of the Battle of Jenin, one of the bloodiest in the area's history.
At that time, it would never have been possible for two politicians from different sides of the Israeli Defense Forces' wall snaking along the West Bank border to collaborate on a hopeful and enterprising model for peace.
Yet, seven years later an Israeli mayor and a Palestinian governor have done just that, as part of a larger international movement that involves former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and seeks to generate economic growth in order to create positive relations across the wall.
The Federation-Jewish Communities of Western CT, located in Southbury, will host both of those men at the end of August in series of events and meetings. The culmination will be a public forum on Sunday, Aug. 30, during which Mayor Daniel Attar of Gilboa, the small Northern Israeli town, and Governor Qaddoura Moussa of Jenin will explain their partnership and plans for change, as well as show the "Now" report on them and reactions and contributors to their alliance. "Now" is a PBS news program.
"I think a big part of [initiative] has to do with the relationship between Mr. Attar and Governor Moussa," said Robert Zwang, executive director of the Federation. "They recognize the value of a quiet border and prosperity. They're moderate individuals."
The plan identifies economic stability for Jenin, once a flourishing commercial center frequented by Israelis and Palestinians, as the necessary progress toward peace. As Mr. Zwang explains, Gilboa is uniquely situated, having the longest "seam line" and a history trade ties with the Arab city. One of the goals is to construct a massive industrial zone in Jenin, creating much-needed jobs.
The Connecticut organization maintains close associations with municipalities in Northern Israel, specifically Afula and Gilboa. As such, the federation has a vested interest in the towns' neighbors, such as Jenin.
"Rather than start from the top down, [the two men] are looking to build from the ground up," Mr. Zwang said, noting that an evident improvement in the quality of life through economic development might be more meaningful than debates between heads of state. "They're hoping this initiative will set the stage for further negotiations," he said.
The federation is no stranger to working at the ground level. In 1999, the organization and John Wallach, founder of the Maine camp Seeds of Peace, sponsored a summer camp in Kent for children from the border areas of Jordan, Israel and Palestine. The focus of teaching conflict resolution and tolerance, as well as the exposure to their forbidden neighbors, aimed to endow the children with experiences they could use as the potential future leaders of their communities.
"These were kids who lived 20 minutes from each other but could never see each other," said Mr. Zwang.
Unfortunately, tensions and attacks in the Jenin area increased between 2000 and 2002. When Mr. Zwang and his colleagues spotted a New York Times article in September 2008, profiling the partnership between Mr. Attar and Mr. Moussa, they felt that perhaps the tide was turning.
In November of last year, a group from the federation visited the two men and Mr. Zwang extended an invitation to the Palestinian politician to return the visit. The latter had one condition: his partner in the venture would have to come too.
While the two men are in America, a first time for Mr. Moussa, who had to obtain permission for the trip, they will meet with Jewish federations from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with the intension of developing helpful business contacts in this country. Mr. Attar and Mr. Moussa are also set to meet with a group of national "key opinion makers" in Manhattan.
According to Mr. Zwang, another objective of the weekend is to "introduce a new paradigm from within the Jewish community that is not at all familiar."
He admits that some will not accept the collaboration easily, while he thinks others will pinpoint why it is an engaging and logical place to start. He also allows that his organization, in endorsing the work of Mr. Attar and Mr. Moussa, is acting outside of what some would characterize as the normal procedures for a Jewish federation. His justification is very simple.
"It's called leadership," Mr. Zwang said.
The public forum, which costs $36 per person, will be held Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. There is also a pre-event reception at 11:30 a.m. and a dinner at a private home in Washington on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. The minimum gift for the former is $365 and for the latter, $1,000. Reservations to all events are requested and photo identification is required. To reserve seats, call 203-267-3177. For more information, visit the Web site at www.jfed.net.