The Chaim Herzog Center

THE CHAIM HERZOG CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST STUDIES & DIPLOMACY מרכז חיים הרצוג לחקר המזרח התיכון והדיפלומטיה مركز حايم هرتصوغ لدراسات الشرق األوسط والدبلوماسية Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel Vol. 17 Nov. 2012 The Transformation in the Middle East and its Challenges Prof. Yoram Meital Chair, The Chaim Herzog Center

he civil uprising that T erupted in the beginning of 2011 marks a turning point in the history of the modern Middle East. The slogan “The people want the fall of the regime” continues to reverberate throughout the Middle East, and in some of its centers the uprising is already generating a variety of changes in various areas. The establishment of post-authoritarian regimes is the most complex challenge that the revolutionaries are currently facing. This historical process poses also

In this Issue: Arab civil protest 2012 The Transformation in the 1-3 Middle East and its Challenges a complex challenge for scholars In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi’s studying the Middle East. regime was defeated only after Conferences & Workshops 3-11 The dynamics of the protest that months of bloody armed conflict. Events 11-15 turned into an uprising have taken Massive public pressure brought different forms since the vendor Ali Abdullah Saleh’s presidency Cinema 16-18 Mohamed Bouazizi set himself in Yemen to an end. In Syria the Book Events 18-20 on fire, but have also important Assad regime employs particularly distinctive features. In Tunisia and brutal measures to repress the civil Jama‘a 21 Egypt the mass protests managed to uprising. The protest against the Scholarships 22-23 overcome the repressive measures regime in Bahrain was suppressed, taken by the regimes of Zine al- but its causes are still topical. Calls Calendar 24 Abidine Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak. for significant change in leadership

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1 and policy are also heard in Sudan, Jordan and in the West Bank. One of the distinctive features of the dramatic and profound change affecting these Arab societies is the crucial role played by “power of the masses”. Wherever a significant uprising occurred, it was clearly not associated merely with a single sector or party. The absence of a single “address” during the critical phase of the difficult confrontation strengthened the camp of the uprising, allowing various social sectors to identify with its main goals and to join its ranks. The banner of the uprising was raised by the men and women of the younger generation. They were able to utilize the new media in various ways in their struggle. Online social networks, email, blogs, text messaging and mobile phone cameras were not only used to establish vital contacts and to recruit activists and supporters, but also functioned as a framework for creating solidarity in the Internet age. Satellite TV channels (in particular, al-Jazeera) provided a sympathetic Tahrir Square (Cairo), May 2011 platform for the civil uprising. Yet, the oung people’s protest The more brutal the repression Egyptians’ well-known sense of would not have developed into a became, the wider became the humor provided an everyday venue popular uprising, if it had not been resistance camp, rallying support to criticize “the situation”. Zakaria joined by other social sectors, from all social strata. The “power Tamer’s short stories revealed including many who are not of the masses” emerged in this the brutality of the Assad regime. connected to Facebook, do not context; they could rightly carry Intellectuals in exile wrote endlessly read emails, and do not have mobile the banner of the uprising as “the about the tyranny of the regimes phones. Millions participating in the people” and demand “the fall of the in Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and uprising expressed their dissent by regime”. Morocco. “Prison literature” became “traditional” means: They marched * * * a popular genre. The leaders of on foot; shouted with hoarse Living for decades under various regimes set ground rules throats: “The people want the fall authoritarian regimes turned most that effectively thwarted the option of the regime”; thousands were of the population in many Arab of changing the government by killed; and huge sums of money are societies into a “silent majority”. legal means. Political, security and required to fix the damage caused Various silencing mechanisms were economic interests provided the to infrastructure and property. put in place, from the imposition authoritarian regimes throughout the The brutal repression turned in of the hegemonic narrative and Middle East with broad international a horrifying manner into a major the censorship of opinions and support. The preservation of the factor that widened the resistance creativity, to the persecution, status quo was top priority for camp. In the eyes of the general imprisonment and torture of these oppressive regimes and their public, the repressive measures dissidents. Expressions of dissent partners in the international arena. employed by the security forces were apparent, especially in the The “stability” that they aimed to proved above all that the regime works of writers, poets, playwrights, preserve collapsed like a house of and its leaders lost their legitimacy. film makers and artists. The cards in the civil uprising.

2 Two tools were dominant in of the traditional power centers, influence, the future character of the early days of the uprising: the and in the public sphere there were the regime and its policies and of truncheons of the internal security spectacles characteristic of large- society. This extensive process of forces and the police; and the scale uprisings. The power of the change has significant implications determination of the first wave of Arab civil society was revealed in a for the regional policies of the protesters, most of whom were totally unanticipated manner, and leading states in the international youngsters, male and female (who the entire world watched, be it in community. proudly carried the title “shabab” amazement and admiration, or in * * * [youth]). The more brutal the fear and panic. The dramatic changes in the Middle means of repression employed The actions of the “masses” East pose a considerable challenge by the regime became, the more charged terms like “freedom”, to scholars. The overthrow of the numerous became the citizens “change” and “social justice” with authoritarian regimes (mostly from among the “masses” who new, concrete meanings. Indeed, presidential republics) and the supported the demonstrators the euphoria and expectations for new role played by civil society and gradually joined their ranks. rapid change were soon replaced have been addressed in countless Surmounting the “fear barrier” by fierce debates on crucial issues conferences and academic brought a dramatic change in and serious concerns mainly for the publications. Researchers from the power relations in the public social implications of the dramatic various disciplines have examined sphere. In the confrontation with change. Alongside expressions of the events and shared their the security forces, and at times continuity, changes in the system insights. Different answers have the army, a feeling of solidarity of government and in policy are been offered to the question how emerged among the protesters also clearly visible. A new political one should deal with the current that became the source of infinite discourse is being created in transformation in the Middle East. energy to continue their struggle. everyday social practices and The Chaim Herzog Center intends The solidarity was formed without activities in urban public spaces to give this issue priority in the next intermediaries and became one and in the discussions in the five years. In addition to symposia of the prominent features of this media, be it new or traditional. in which prominent researchers unique “moment”. The fury was Institutions of civil society began to will present their work in their the external expression of the operate in a range of fields. At the respective fields of expertise, awareness that the just struggle same time, the transitional phase we intend to hold a conference has a chance this time. The is characterized by the collapse of at the beginning of the academic “submissive” Arab citizen claimed the internal security systems (which year 2012-13, that will focus on his rights and was ready to fight were a pillar of the repressive how the Israeli government and for his voice to be heard. As the regimes) and by severe economic society experience the historical uprising gathered strength, the problems. Crucial struggles changes in the Middle East, and tables turned. Now there was an between the new and old political the political, social and economic atmosphere of fear in the chambers forces are fought over positions of implications for Israel. CONFERENCES & W or k s h o p s

In Search for Peace in Middle East Turmoil

he Chaim Herzog Center already resigned, and the civil war the Gulf Emirates. Taking these T held its annual international in Libya had reached a climax, events into consideration as well conference on June 1-2, before Gaddafi was captured. as the initiative launched by Israeli 2011. The conference focused The uprising in Syria was still in public figures, prior to the Arab on the Israeli reaction to the its initial stage; in Yemen an ever Spring, in response to the Arab Arab peace initiative against the growing number of voices called peace initiative of 2002, the Chaim background of the wave of dramatic for the resignation of President Herzog Center perceived the developments that already then Saleh; and demonstrations of need for a conference combining were called ‘the Arab Spring.’ By various sizes were seen in all these two burning issues. The June 2011 President Mubarak had Arab states from North Africa to changes that begin to emerge 3 Israel and the Palestinians. It offers an initial formula for solving the refugee problem and issue of Jerusalem, as well as for the borders of the Palestinian state and a basic outline for a regulation of Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon. Formulated by Israelis from different walks of life, including ordinary citizens, public figures, politicians, former members of the military and security forces, the Israeli initiative seeks to put the Arab initiative back on the political and public agenda and to provide an Israeli response acceptable to wide sectors of the Israeli public. Juan Cole, Yoram Meital, Sufian Abu-Zaida Before the opening of the conference a message arrived from Ahmed Qurei (Abu Alaa), the former in the Middle East seem to have for their research that took place at prime minister of the Palestinian the potential to renew the political the end of the conference. Authority, who was unable to attend process and – in conjunction with The Israeli initiative was first the conference due to last-minute the Israeli initiative – to provide a published at the beginning of April changes in his schedule. Abu Alaa’s basis for creating further options 2011; following the Arab peace message elaborates his political for a solution. As in the previous initiative of 2002, it aims at ending philosophy regarding a solution in conferences of the Chaim Herzog all claims and disputes in the light of the impasse in the Israeli- Center, senior researchers from region in order to achieve peace, Palestinian negotiations and the Israel and from abroad, journalists, prosperity and normalization changing regional context. For the as well as Israeli and Palestinian between Israel and its Arab and full text of Abu Alaa’s message, public figures participated in the Palestinian neighbors. The Israeli please see below. 2011 conference. Among them initiative sees the Arab initiative were Ziad Abu Zayyad, Sufian Abu- as a framework for negotiations It is also available on the website Zaida, Juan Cole from Michigan over regional peace and seeks of the Chaim Herzog Center: University, Ilai Alon from Tel Aviv to specify the Israeli vision of a http://humweb2.bgu.ac.il/herzog/ University, David Kretchmer permanent settlement between he/events/conferences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tamar Hermann from the Open University, Walid Salem from al-Quds University; Kobi Huberman and Colette Avital, both members of the group that launched the Israeli initiative; senior journalists, including Avi Issacharoff, Ronen Bergman and Amnon Lord; as well as Brigadier General (Res.) Mike Herzog, son of Chaim Herzog, who is a research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. Mike Herzog participated also in the annual award ceremony of the Center’s scholarships to graduate students Ronen Bergman, Yoram Meital, Walid Salem, Tamar Hermann, Juan Cole

4 Making a New Peace Process Ahmed Qurie (Abu Ala) A member of PLO executive committee heading the Jerusalem Affairs Department A written statement for the conference In Search for Peace in Middle East Turmoil

Ladies and gentlemen The outcomes of these uprisings will bring about a new more democratic Middle East, which will be Allow me first to thank Chaim Hertzog Center for Middle more effective and perhaps more responsive to old East Studies and Diplomacy of Ben-Gurion University challenges. The new Middle East will have new spirit of the Negev, which I was honored by taking part in its and new will to deal with the old challenges, including inauguration in 1996, for their invitation and giving me those of peace and of war. the opportunity to address this distinguished students, The Arab young at heart democratic uprisings have thinkers, and scholars, about the current events and and will change the face of the Middle East. They developments that tackle the present and future of the have changed the lists of priorities of the nations of the two nations who share living on this sanctified part of Middle East. Such nations are no longer marginalized the world. and beleaguered. The difficult labor and birth of the I have had similar opportunities where I addressed freedom and democracy uprisings have disturbed the Israeli intellectuals and media people. I had the chance stagnant situation and gave a new lease of life to the to debate issues with officials and leaders of the Israeli Palestinian cause, which is the mutual cause of all governments and the opposition. I was also involved Arab nations. in countless negotiations with many successive Israeli Time has changed: the old ways of dealing with governments. issues that used to be valid before the Arab uprisings The debates and negotiations had limited outcomes are no longer valid. The people have taken control and humble results; however, I have never had any of their destinies. They are the key players of a new doubts that dialogue is the best way to escape the trap play, which they have written and showed through it we had fallen into; hence, I have always responded how much they longed for freedom, independence, positively to Israeli invitations. democracy, and dignity. Let me be honest with you. The marathon of It may be too early to address the issue of new speeches of last week at Washington DC show that balance of power relations in the Middle East. It could we are now closer than ever to the dead end, that we also be too early to arrive to conclusion concerning are one step away from this dead end, and that we the labor and birth of the internally interactive events; are minutes away from a violent collision with a wall of however, we can rest assured that there is a new Arab chaos, which the frustration and despair of the Israeli era made by young powers. This era is a mixture of policies have built. democratic and liberal developments on the one hand We have come together to this dead end, to and patriotic and Islamic on the other. There is no square one, as if the endless negotiations and huge going back now for the uprisings, which have worked legacy of working papers, accords, initiatives, and with modern means of telecommunications that did not understandings had gone with the wind. Mr. Benjamin exist before to topple the very structure of the ruling Netanyahu’s bragging and nihilist speech before regimes, their laws, their constitutions, their social and the U.S. Congress has given this impression. Mr. cultural rhetoric, and their age-old political system. Netanyahu’s series of coordinated speeches starting Since these developments have come from the from his speech at Bar-Ilan University, the Knesset, heart of the Arab communities and reflect the legitimate the White House, the Congress, and before AIPAC in yearnings of these communities for democracy, Washington, has been sufficient to arrive to this painful including participation, accountability, and peaceful diagnosis of the status quo. transition of power, the external impact on these historic It is fortunate that this important ideological meeting developments has been too little or nil. The external has shown interest in the changing political scenes of impact includes that of the western countries mainly the region and has assigned time for exploring them. the United States of America. Israel was flabbergasted There are unprecedented uprisings in Arab countries. and was unable to influence the uprisings especially

5 the uprising in Egypt. Israel is also deeply confused Arriving to this conclusion is not a baseless theory. about the outcome of the uprising in Syria. Let me pinpoint a number of facts that cannot be Today we face transitional situation on the Arab disputed at all: and Palestinian levels. It is a promising situation with First: The time the peace process has consumed is positive outcomes that are becoming more and more a foolproof evidence of the futility of the negotiations realistic. This includes the fact that Arab people are approach and the restricted efficiency of the more concerned and more involved in the Palestinian mechanisms of this approach. There has been no issue, which was pushed back temporarily before. respect for deadlines, including the deadline for the This was made obvious by the marches made on the interim period. None on the deadlines has revived this Nakba Day in south Lebanon, in the Golan Heights, failing approach. and in Al Areesh as well as the reopening of Rafah Second: The Declaration of Principles contains border crossing. Some of the events’ positive outcome commitments followed by agreements, texts, and have also affected the Palestinian scene where a understandings. These were not voluntary adhered to reconciliation paper was signed ending the Palestinian by the powerful party that holds the trump card. They division. were not even respected as a result of international It would be useful if we reassess the positive impact arbitration. on the Arab and Palestinian levels, including the Third: Almost all eight Israeli successive governments Palestinian reconciliation, in a more comprehensive – right from the start of the peace process in Madrid framework that goes beyond what one can see on in 1991 – opted for going back to square one of the the surface. The reconciliation, which constituted an peace process. They would reopen old files and come obstacle to any progress, can be seen as an objective up with new ideas and proposals that fitted their vision. moving force of progress of any serious diplomatic Such ideas and proposals had never reached the level move towards the achievement of peace. The division of threats, challenges, and historic opportunities made led to weak structure and caused severe damage and available by the Oslo Accords of 1993. Moreover, the would have undermined the achievement of peace new ideas and proposal would eventually disappear. and would have stood in the way of any progress in Fourth: The international “protectors” of the peace the long road to peace. process headed by the United States of America, Hence, this reconciliation, which Israel had gone have failed to establish the necessary regional and berserk about, boosts the Palestinians’ confidence international links, including the Quartet. They have as they knock with bare hands on the Israeli tightly also failed to set forth practical solutions to the key locked door of peace and makes them readier and issues, including the two-state solution and the more responsive to the requirements of a just peace. Roadmap. This has taken us over and over again to severe predicaments. * * * Fifth: The negotiations approach, which has been This takes us to the purpose of the above argument; a mixture of joint suspicions right from the start, has it is necessary to move fast towards benefiting from lack of trust and has been eroding gradually and this moment in history. This moment must be exploited continuously. It eroded every time a violation was by all stakeholders to look back on past agreements, committed in occupied Jerusalem, every time new end disputes, move closer, end tit-for-tat policies, end settlements’ expansion occurred, every time Israel exaggerated obsessions, and end pretending. We said no, and every time commitments were avoided may then get back on peace tracks and realize mutual and attempts to impose were made. peace, mutual security, good neighbors’ relations, and Therefore, and in light of the developing events mutual respect. in the surrounding Arab world that may have direct I am not saying that we need to retell opposing impact on the Palestinian and Israeli situation, I call for events of history, exchange accusations, sell outdated a new approach; making a new credible and real peace political products, or retry what has been tested over process based on lessons learnt from the long years and over again and failed. We need to learn from the of negotiations and be inspired by the joint aspirations, past. We need to objectively review past experiences interests, and fears. The new approach invites new in order to arrive to a sound ideological approach that regional and international players. It uses international shows us that the tangible facts on the ground say that references and previous bilateral agreements and the two-decade long bilateral negotiations approach benefit from the accumulative legacy of negotiations has expired and is definitely futile. that is stored in collective drawers and memories.

6 It pleases me to reiterate an initiative that I had Japan (for the environment), Russia and the United recently proposed to a number of regional and States of America for (for arms control and regional international parties and discussed with many security), and China. political and government officials as well as thinkers. Three tracks of bilateral negotiations will be The initiative is based on a more solid negotiations launched for a comprehensive peace: foundation, discussed more openly, and within a Palestinian – Israeli track framework that ensures more necessary dynamism Syrian – Israeli track and more trust. Lebanese – Israeli track My initiative contains mechanism, term of reference, If the negotiations succeed and agreements suitable international “protector”, and a timetable were reached, the expanded second international of new serious negotiations leading to enduring just conference would be held to endorse the agreements peace; a viable peace. and host the official signing ceremony. This initiative is expected to overcome the The outlines of the initiative: stalemate of the current situation of joint conditions Hold an international conference similar to the one and preconditions. It is also expected to be consistent held in Madrid and Annapolis. The conference will with the proposal made by the American President launch the peace process anew in accordance with Barak Obama with respect to the 1967 borders as specific references based on the Arab Peace Initiative. basis for the borders of the two states. The initiative The peace process has a specific timeframe. The does not require any of the parties to relinquish their conference shall be held twice; first to launch a peace demands beforehand. process between the Palestinians, the Syrians, and I am sure that there is only a tiny minority of Israeli the Lebanese and the Israelis. And the second time to people who still think that Israel could live forever be held once an agreement is reached and outcomes protected by arms. However, this tiny minority, as one are announced. can see, is the one that is calling the shots especially The conference will have an offshoot permanent with the latest developments in Arab occupied international conference or regional and international Jerusalem. On the other hand, the majority of Israelis, steering committee that meets bimonthly or whenever who believe in the peace alternative, seem to have necessary to assess the negotiations between the given up and left this minority of fanatics in control. parties. The offshoot permanent international conference Once again, the escalation of settlements activities in comprises the following parties: the Palestinian territories and specifically in Jerusalem Relevant parties: Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel and the political stalemate are pulling the Israelis and Regional parties: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United the Palestinians into the abyss, into a hellish circle, Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Iran (if Iran consents and to no real partnership with any Palestinians today to this) or tomorrow. The Quartet: The United Nations, the United States of We want just and enduring peace where rights are America, Russia, and the European Union given back to their rightful owners and a new era of International Gavel-Holders of the multilateral tolerance and cooperation in the region and an end to negotiations working groups: Canada (for the refugees), hatred and aggression. Europe (for the regional economic development),

Celebration of Naguib Mahfouz’s Centennial Birthday

n 2011 was the centenary conference was made possible by days, the conference was held I of the birth of the Egyptian the unique and unusual cooperation every day at another university. It writer Naguib Mahfouz. with three other academic was a huge success. Among the To mark the occasion the Chaim institutions: the Arabic Language participants were writers, including Herzog Center held a three-day Academy, headed by Prof. Mahmud Sami Michael and the Iraqi writer in conference, in cooperation with the Ghanayim; Haifa University; and exile Najem Wali; senior scholars Literature Department at BGU. The Tel Aviv University. During the three of literature and Arabic literature,

7 Orientalist tendency prevalent in research for a long time. The conference aimed at strengthening the innovative universalistic trend. On the first day, the conference was held at Haifa University. The proceedings were well attended by an audience, mainly from Haifa and the surrounding area. Following greetings by Reuven Snir, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Haifa University, and by Ibrahim Taha, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Menahem Milson and Mahmud Ghanayim, two senior scholars on Mahfouz in Israel, presented an Naguib Mahfouz’s Conference overview of his literary work. Sami Michael, the notable translator of Mahfouz’ works to Hebrew, gave led by Sasson Somekh, Menahem system; corruption in the state a talk on Mahfouz as secular Milson, Mahmud Ghanayim, apparatus and the individual’s writer. Graduate students were the Nabih al-Qasim, Irit Getreuer, righteousness; social and political prominent participants from the Mahmoud Kayyal, Alon Fragman criticism; issues of tradition and audience in the discussion, that and Yigal Schwartz, as well as modernity; identity and the place focused entirely on an analysis of young scholars, including Clara of the past in the experience of the artistic nature of such motifs as Srouji-Shajrawi, Kawthar Jabir the collective – all these are only Pharaonism or ‘dream’ and of the and Mas’ud Hamdan. Among the some of the issues addressed dialogues in Mahfouz’ writings. participants were also translators by Mahfouz in his writings that On the second day, the and researchers focusing on are relevant to any person living conference was held at Tel Aviv translation, such as Rafi Weichert in a modern state and society. A University and opened with and Ran HaCohen, who dealt with special panel was dedicated to greetings by Eyal Zisser, Dean the basic issues of the meaning translation. Though not dealing of the Faculty of Humanities, and interpretation of culture arising with Mahfouz or Arabic literature, and by Yishai Peled, Head of the in the context of the translation the participating translation experts Department for Arabic and Islamic of literary works. Among the aimed in their presentations at Studies. Then Sasson Somekh, actively participating audience providing general basic insights a leading scholar specializing in were Reuven Snir, Ibrahim Taha, allowing to deduce, for example, Mahfouz’ work, who was awarded Aharon Geva-Kleinberger, Eyal the implications for the translation the Israel Prize for Middle East Zisser, Yishai Peled, Jeries Khoury, to Hebrew of Mahfouz’ works. Studies in 2005, gave a talk on the Yossi Yonah, Tamar Alexander, Similarly, another panel focused city of Cairo in Mahfouz’ writings. Daniella Talmon-Heller and Nissim on the writer’s place in society Nabih al-Qasim and Irit Getreuer Calderon. which developed into a discussion focused on the novel as genre The rationale informing the on the basic issues regarding the in Mahfouz’ works; al-Qasim program was quite innovative. use of literary texts for historical dealt with his historical novels, The goal was to place Naguib research and for recovering the while Getreuer discussed various Mahfouz and his work not only experience of a given society. A models of that genre in his writings. within the Egyptian and Arab discussion of such perspectives In a panel on translation, Mahmoud cultural-literary field, but also with regard to Mahfouz and his Kayyal considered Mahfouz’ within a wider spectrum, given that writings allows placing him within reception in the Hebrew culture, his works dealing with Egyptian the wider context of the literary not least due to the fact that so history, culture, society and politics field and of world literature and many of his works were translated address also universal issues. The thus freeing him and the research to Hebrew. Ran HaCohen individual facing the government, on him from an exclusive Arab- and Rafi Weichert, who both the bureaucracy and the justice Egyptian contextualization – an translate, publish and research

8 the first elections in Iraq in 2005. political and social conditions, and In his opening lecture, Wali mainly due to the false illusion, stressed Mahfouz’ commitment created by the Syrian dictatorship, to democracy and the ways it of living a seemingly normal life in finds expression in his writings, the country, while actually death, in particular, in his tendency and violence and silencing are part of ability to present a multitude of a daily routine to which everyone voices reflecting diverse social is exposed. strata, and to express – through Based on the lectures by his characters – his own inner Schwartz and Fragman, Esmail dilemmas and conflicts. Especially Nashef conducted a lively debate in in a society that lacks a democratic which the audience, BGU students political tradition and a civil society, and faculty, participated. Nashef where a single voice takes force, aimed at challenging the tendency namely that of the dictator, the to switch from the literary sphere writer has the task to give voice to reality and back, which is to his to those who are silenced. Wali mind too simplistic and obvious. declared that Mahfouz was his In particular, he questioned the Najem Wali model in this respect. assumption that literature has to be In the next panel two case understood through the historical studies were presented that reflect context, and not in and by itself, literature, dealt with translation as writers’ ties to the society and the or through an internal organizing facilitating encounters and contact historical context in which they order that cannot be reduced to the between cultures, even if they are operated and wrote, that are also political reality. This gave rise to a linguistically or geographically represented in their works. Yigal discussion on the ways historians distant from each other, or if they Schwartz, Head of Heksherim: can use literary texts and on the represent minor cultures; as well The Research Center for Jewish extent to which reality is reflected as with the factors influencing and Israeli Culture at BGU, spoke in literary texts. the degree of “presencing” of in his lecture about the conflicting The conference concluded with one culture in another and the identities and narratives that the a fascinating conversation led problems arising when editing establishment of State of Israel in by Nissim Calderon with Sasson translations from unfamiliar 1948 created among writers of the Somekh about his personal languages. Although most of its generation of Independence War acquaintance and meetings deliberations did not directly relate and the generation that followed. with Naguib Mahfouz over the to Mahfouz, the panel received Although the establishment of the years. Somekh peppered the most enthusiastic responses from state was a formative event, it also conversation with a wealth of the audience. caused crises, as exposed by the examples and insights regarding The last day of the conference dialectic between the political and Mahfouz’ personality and his was held in Beer Sheva and the cultural situation, between the views, that only someone so deeply opened with greetings by David local and the national, as well as by and thoroughly acquainted with his Newman, Dean of the Faculty of the ensuing lack of synchronization writings could express. Somekh Humanities and Social Science, in their writings. talked also about his early years by Tamar Alexander, Head of the Alon Fragman, Head of the as a scholar of literature and as a Literature Department, and by Arabic Language and Literature writer, and about his experience Daniella Talmon-Heller, Head of the Department at Beit Berl College, as an Iraqi Jew in Israel during his Department of Middle East Studies. talked about the Syrian writer early years in the country. The opening lecture was give by Zakaria Tamer and the way he the Iraqi writer in exile Najem Wali. consciously uses literature to A recording of the conference He has been living in Germany for express opposition in covert and sessions held in Beer Sheva is many years, since he left Iraq after overt ways to Hafez al-Assad’s available on the website of the refusing military service during the regime in Syria. His talk also Chaim Herzog Center: Iraq-Iran war under the regime addressed the writer’s experience http://humweb2.bgu.ac.il/herzog/he of Saddam Hussein. He teaches of alienation stemming from life literature in Germany and was – in exile. Tamer left Syria out of from exile – involved in organizing his own volition, due the existing

9 Islam in Israel: A Reappraisal

slam is the religion of the who discussed a wide array of topics and activities, such as women and I majority of the Arab citizens including the evolving religious and Bedouin notables – thus providing in Israel. According to the legal theology, religious authority, a social dimension and a "bottom latest reports of the Israeli Central popular Islam, Islam and gender, as up" perspective on the topic under Bureau of Statistics, there are 1.2 well as Islamic political movements. discussion. Other presentations million Muslim Israeli citizens, about The discussion focused on focused on discerning the nuances in 80 percent of the Arab population. several research questions: What the dynamic interrelations between Over the past four decades, Islam is the theological and legal nature of various religious actors: ulama, Sufis, has become an important factor Islam in Israel? What is the primary and Islamists. The contributions were in the political and socio-cultural religious authority for Muslims in able to show that these interrelations identity of the Arab minority in Israel; Israel? To what extent has Islam are marked by dissonance, but also the number of Muslims in Israel shaped the identity of the Arab by rapprochement and even shared who define their identity, first and minority in the State of Israel? How agendas. foremost, in relation to their religious does this affect the socio-cultural By approaching a wide range affiliation has steadily grown. aspects of Muslim life in Israel? of aspects and themes from the In light of these facts, a The conference also provided perspectives of various disciplines conference on Islam in Israel was a comparative perspective from and combining the discussion with held at BGU on May 25-26, 2012, the Jewish Haredi community in comparative insights, the conference under the auspices of the Chaim Israel, and from Muslim immigrant made a distinctive contribution Herzog Center and the Nehemia communities in Europe. to a better understanding of the Levtzion Center for Islamic Studies, Some of the presentations Islamic phenomenon in Israel. the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. were based on fieldwork and The conference proceedings are The conference provided a forum for personal interviews, and explored scheduled for publication. renowned experts as well as young relatively marginalized voices also scholars from various disciplines involved in religious discourses

The Authority of Legal Texts — Jewish and Islamic Perspectives

ewish and Islamic legal CNRS and CRFJ, the participating among the scholars of their day, or J cultures share a common scholars explored how the textual the commitment of their disciples feature – both are based authority of specific texts was to disseminate and advocate the on legal texts that have been constructed, sustained, challenged text’s doctrine. Another set of authored and interpreted by jurists. and lost. The deliberations also papers examined cases in which The authority of such texts rose and dealt with views of Jewish and scholars disparaged or promoted declined over the centuries. When Muslim scholars who were critical texts, particularly in the context they were at their peak, these of the literary tradition and rejected of competition between several texts were considered by jurists the authority of legal texts in respected texts. Other papers as expressing the definitive legal principal. Lastly, the scholars examined Jewish and Muslim doctrine of their day. In a workshop asked what happened to the status criticism of the textual tradition as on "The Authority of Legal Texts – of these texts and legal traditions a whole. The last panel examined Jewish and Islamic Perspectives," when they ran into state generated the impact of modern states, in held on May 31 and June 1, 2011, statutory law. particular the challenge posed by that was convened by Dr. Ted The workshop included papers statutory legislation to the authority Fram, Dr. Eric Chaumont and Dr. that examined the authority of of the textual tradition. Nimrod Hurvitz, with the support texts by looking at social factors, The comparative perspective of the Chaim Herzog Center, such as the authors' reputation aims at enabling scholars of both 10 legal cultures to discern which of scholars specializing in Jewish It is also available on the website of the factors influencing the and Islamic legal cultures to each of the Chaim Herzog Center: authority of Jewish and Islamic others' scholarly tradition may http://humweb2.bgu.ac.il/herzog/ texts are culturally specific and improve their analytic tools and he/events/conferences which are common to both legal lead to a fruitful cross-fertilization cultures. Moreover, the exposure of ideas. EVENTS A Public Panel: The Arab Spring

n December 2010, after I Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest of the economic situation in Tunisia, a wave of protests swept through the Middle East that today can already be defined as an earthquake, as a real revolution, that was initially called “the Arab Spring”. In January 2011, the wave of protests reached Egypt, and in early February President Mubarak was ousted. A few months later the regimes of Muammar al-Gaddafi in Libya and of Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen were toppled. That drama that continues to unfold in these days with great violence in Syria, and in constitutional ways The Arab Spring Panel in Egypt, was still in its beginnings when the Chaim Herzog Center organized two panels in February from the Department of Middle regard to the Palestinians and the and May 2011 in order to try and East Studies at BGU participated Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two understand at least some of the in the two panels, including panels were held in the midst of the implications. At that time, nobody Yoram Meital, Chairman of the unfolding events, and despite the could foresee the fate of Gaddafi Chaim Herzog Center, and Yossi speakers’ attempts to understand or of the regime in Yemen, the Amitai, both addressing mainly them properly, it was clear to intensity of the violence in Syria, the developments in Egypt; everybody that the Middle East is or the outcome of the uprising in Muhammad al-Atawneh, who opening a new dramatic chapter Bahrain. At this early stage of the focused on the Gulf states and in the history of the societies and civil uprising nobody anticipated especially on Saudi Arabia; and nations in the regions – a chapter that a candidate of the Muslim guests like Judith Ronen from Tel that will attract the attention of Brotherhood will be elected as Aviv University, who presented researchers and of the general president in Egypt or that social the developments in Libya; public for many years to come. protests will sweep Israel in a scale David Ricci from the Hebrew The huge audience attracted by unseen since the time of the “Black University, who discussed the the panels testifies not only to the Panthers”. role of the media in the decision- great interest that the Israeli public The panels were open to making process determining the takes in the Arab Spring, but also students and university staff US position; and the journalist to an intuitive understanding of the who filled the Senate Hall well Avi Issacharoff, who address the events’ intensity. beyond capacity. Senior scholars implications of the events with 11 ‘Middle East Transformation’: A Panel at BGU Board of Governors

he annual BGU Board of structural change transforming the masses are another central factor T Governors Meeting is held entire system of power relations that will not only be decisive in May. In the framework of in the Arab states, the outcome of during the elections but also in this year’s 42nd Board of Governors which is still unclear. In intensity the political game in future. The Meeting, the Chaim Herzog Center he even compared the events third very important factor in the organized a special panel on the to the French Revolution. In his political game is the army that will Arab Spring, with the participation talk, Prof. Sivan emphasized play an influential central role also of such renowned experts as Prof. the concepts of citizenship and after the presidential elections, Emeritus Emmanuel Sivan, Prof. authority that, in his opinion, are behind the scenes though. Egypt Yoram Meital and Prof. Haggai at the center of the discourse and is currently in the stage of revising Ram, three scholars of Middle the developments taking place in its constitution; these deliberations East Studies, and Dr. Ronen Arab countries, especially Egypt. center on the character of the state Bergman, a senior journalist at These concepts give expression to and the authority of its institutions, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. The the currently occurring change as including the presidency. This is panel was held at the Joya Claire a change “from below” attesting to a process of debate in which the Sonnenfeld Auditorium that was the existence of public opinion as three factors mentioned participate. filled to capacity by participants of the central force that also raises Prof. Meital said that although it is the Board of Governors Meeting high expectations. impossible to predict who will win and invited BGU faculty and Prof. Yoram Meital agreed the presidential elections, it is clear students. Dr. Iris Agmon from the with the assessment regarding that Egypt will be entirely different Department of Middle East Studies the centrality of the concepts of from what we have known until now. gracefully chaired the panel. The authority and citizenship that, in After the elections the institution speakers briefly presented their his view, indicates the emergence of the president will become the assessments of the events of the of a new political game in Egypt fourth power center affecting the Arab Spring in order to allow for with three main players. One is the formation of the second Egyptian time to answer questions from parliament that will in all probability republic. During this formative the audience. Prof. Emmanuel have much more authority under phase Egypt will primarily be Sivan, the first speaker, defined the expected new constitution. preoccupied with internal matters, the events of the Arab Spring as a Despite their heterogeneity, the but its positions regarding regional issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be totally different from what they used to be in the past. Prof. Haggai Ram spoke about Iran and especially about the similarities and differences between the events of the Arab Spring and the Green Movement in Iran. The conditions that gave rise to these two types of protest movements were identical: both stem from a crisis of the nation state, in particular a lack of democracy and the fact that a tiny elite controls the wealth at the expense of the people. Prof. Ram even argued that the protests Panel at the Board of Governors Meeting (May 2012) against the election results in Iran in 2009 that occurred long before

12 the events in Tunis were inspiration talk saying that people are able to the Arab Spring illustrates Israel’s and theme for what is happening liberate themselves, but this can “siege mentality”; it sees these now in the Middle East. Prof. Ram only be achieved if sanctions and events as proof that there is no point also sustained his claim from a bombs do not threaten their very in pursuing the political process, historical perspective showing how existence. given that political instability in the throughout the twentieth century Ronen Bergman, the last region may call agreements into Iran served as exemplary model for speaker, dealt with the Israeli question. Bergman regretted that anti-colonial struggles in the Middle perspective. He opened his talk contrary to Europe, Israel does not East: the constitutional revolution arguing that one of the factors perceive the events of the Arab in 1905, the nationalization of the that sparked the events in Tunis Spring as an opportunity and a oil industry during the Mosaddegh was WikiLeaks’ publication of chance to reach an agreement, era which had a profound impact documents concerning US- and that the negotiations held on the nationalization of the Suez Tunisian relations according to with Egypt concerning the release Canal in 1956; and as mentioned, which the US would not support of Gilad Shalit were not used for the events of 2009. It is also the president and his family in advancing the political process with often forgotten that until the take- case of a revolution. Another the Palestinians and strengthening over by the Islamists, the 1979 factor was, of course, Facebook relations with Egypt. revolution was primarily inspired which enabled integrating different After the short presentations by democratic and anti-colonial forces. Bergman considered the the discussion was opened to messages. Against this background assessments of most senior Israeli questions from the audience. The Prof. Ram argues that Iran is part intelligence officials, primarily the great number of questions was of the Arab Spring and that the Mossad, that on the eve of the indicative of the great interest that Iranian issue that is today on the Arab Spring had noted the stability the audience takes in the dramatic international agenda is an integral of Mubarak’s regime and stated events in the Middle East. part of the current developments emphatically that his son Gamal in the region. He concluded his will succeed him. The events of

The Ambassadors Forum

Talks by H.R. Andreas Michaelis & H.R. Dan Shapiro, Germany and US Ambassadors to Israel

n the framework of the I ‘Ambassadors Forum’, the Chaim Herzog Center in cooperation with the Center for the Study of European Politics and Society hosts foreign ambassadors resident in Israel. This year’s guests at the Forum were the German Ambassador Andreas Michaelis in January; and the US Ambassador Dan Shapiro in March. Both events met with great interest from among the students and faculty, which is partly due to the fact that the Forum has become well established by now, but mainly due to the dramatic events H.R. Andreas Michaelis, David Newman, Sharon Pardo and developments in the region

13 in the last year: the civil uprisings by various Arab societies and the international tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Both issues were at the center of the talks given by the two ambassadors. Yet, each event had also unique features stemming from the specific relations between Israel and each of the two states: Germany playing a central role in the European Union; and the USA, being Israel’s strongest ally. In the course of his impressive diplomatic career, the German Ambassador Michaelis got very well acquainted with the region’s Rivka Carmi, Dan Shapiro, David Newman economic and strategic problems and with Israel. He presented himself as a fluent speaker, with a ensure Israel’s existence and dangerous, but for that very sense of mission in his diplomatic security. That commitment is reason Israel has to try now more role, yet at the same time with a translated into a ramifying network than ever to resolve the conflict, deep sense of commitment and of close cooperation and a range in order to stabilize its position responsibility toward Israel. His of partnerships in economic, in the region, even if that means talk had a personal note; and technological and cultural projects, taking risks. With regard to Iran, the meeting with him was quite and even cooperation in intelligence Ambassador Michaelis said that informal. Before addressing the and security matters. Iran seeks regional hegemony. German position on the burning Official Israeli representatives Though Iran is dangerous, one regional issues, he opened his talk who explain the Israeli position in has to differentiate between the by stressing time and again the Germany are under the impression Iranian issue and the events of the special relations between Israel and that the average German citizen Arab Spring. In this context Israel Germany in light of the burdens of fails to agree with Israel’s policy in has an important role to play in the the past, before and after German the conflict with the Palestinians and emerging tendency in Europe and unification. Ambassador Michaelis cannot to understand it, especially the USA to improve the relations emphasized the difference between given Israel’s advantaged position with Sunni regimes in the region. the Israeli-German relations in in economic, military, and political The central question is how Israel the 1950s, a period dominated by terms over the Palestinians. The will deal politically and strategically the reparation agreements, and challenge that Germans face in with the situation in the region; but the warm and open relations that this context is the need to integrate it has currently no clear policy. exist today. In his view, it was the the discursive fields, the political In the question-and-answer fact that Germany, both on the discourse with the historical and session, Michaelis focused his collective and on the individual emotional ones, for only such comments on the German and levels, deeply engaged in a process integration will allow Germans to EU policy toward the Palestinian of dealing with its past, that made understand better Israel’s position territories and stressed that there the normalization in Israeli-German in the conflict. Ambassador is no contradiction between the relations possible, and the open Michaelis pointed out, however, close German-Israeli relations and atmosphere between them. As that Israel should adopt a policy the European Union’s concerted Israeli identity is undeniably shaped that will enable a solution. effort to assist an improvement by the trauma of the Holocaust, In his comments on the situation in the infrastructure and the living so play issues of crime and guilt in the region, Ambassador conditions of Palestinians in the a central role in the construction Michaelis emphasized that the PA administered territories. He of identity in postwar Germany, changes currently taking place in also expressed reservations about which has a significant impact on the Middle East are to be seen as the steps taken by the Palestinians the empathy that Germany has a revolution. The developments at the United Nations in order to for Israel and its commitment to in the region might be quite be admitted as a member state,

14 and voiced his concern that areas and on all levels, between Like Ambassador Michaelis, these steps might aggravate the the two countries and their Ambassador Shapiro expressed conflict. Ambassador Michaelis alliance are unshakable. The his support for the principle of a emphasized that in the conflict benefits that the US derives from two-state solution for the Israeli- Germany is walking between these relations are by no means Palestinian conflict and emphasized the rain drops and taking ad hoc smaller than Israel’s benefits; that this can be achieved only by decisions within the framework of as, for example, illustrated in direct negotiations. Although the its general positions regarding the the successful use made by the US opposes the steps taken by the two-state solution. With regard US in Iraq and Afghanistan of PA at the UN, the United States to Iran, Ambassador Michaelis devises developed by the Israeli supports economic and security stressed that the window of Hi-tech industry, that actually cooperation with Salam Fayyad’s opportunity is closing, and if an saved human lives. In addition to government and considers this to embargo is imposed on Iran, their close cooperation, the two be also in Israel’s interest. Germany will support it. countries have also common rivals Ambassador Shapiro ascribed Some two months after and enemies. Currently, this is Iran major importance to the economic Ambassador Michaelis’ visit, the and its capability to attain nuclear relations between Israel and the US US Ambassador to Israel, Dan weapons. The US and Israel and stressed that Israel’s stability Shapiro, visited the Forum within have a common understanding and economic prosperity are in the framework of the ‘America of the nature of that threat, and America’s interest. As in security Day’ held on campus, which they work together in the field issues, the US supports Israel in added a festive atmosphere. of intelligence and cooperate civil and economic matters. The Music and dance performances in strategic matters such as the US purchases Israeli technologies, were presenting contemporary imposition of economic sanctions assists Israeli companies American culture. The festivity was against Iran, given that nuclear financially as well as American overshadowed by the fact that the weapons in Iran pose a strategic companies that invest in Israel and city Beer Sheva was hit by a Grad threat also to the United States. create jobs for Israelis. Moreover rocket on the previous evening Therefore, President Obama is the two countries cooperate in which cast doubt on whether the determined to prevent Iran from educational, cultural, science and event could actually take place. realizing its nuclear potential, energy matters. In this context, The meeting with Ambassador believing in the effectiveness of Ambassador Shapiro noted in Shapiro was held at the Senate economic sanctions including particular the alternative energy hall, which was filled with dozens the fields of energy, finances projects of the Arava Institute for of students and faculty. He opened and transportation, alongside Environmental Studies. his talk in Hebrew sketching his diplomatic efforts. Ambassador In the question-and-answer impressions from his short campus Shapiro expressed his belief that session, the Ambassador repeated tour on this colorful ‘America Day.’ a combination of sanctions and the US position on the issue of the Ambassador Shapiro spoke at international political pressure will nuclear threat and the importance some length about how he was bring Iran to consider a diplomatic of the strategic cooperation feeling and sympathizing with solution, especially in light of between Israel and the US. He Israelis facing the atmosphere and the fact that Iran is increasingly stressed again that President difficulties that the rocket threat isolated; but he stressed that the Obama ascribes high priority to creates for their daily life, especially window of opportunity is closing. the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations as father of small children. His talk The events of the Arab Spring and appointed Special Envoy naturally centered on the situation are another common challenge for George Mitchell in order to facilitate and on the fact that rocket attacks Israel and the United States. The the process in every possible way. on Israel are not acceptable to the US sees them as an opportunity Unfortunately, his efforts were in United States. Its support for the to strengthen and encourage the vein. The Israeli and Palestinian Iron Dome air-defense system moderate forces in Arab societies, governments understand that the is one expression of the United to honor treaties, like the Israeli- conflict can only be resolved by a States’ firm commitment to Israel’s Egyptian peace treaty, to promote two-state solution, but the problem security, and so is also its financial democracy as well as civil and lies in getting back to negotiations. assistance in the acquisition of human rights. The new forces advanced American technology, in the Arab countries are to be such as the F-35 fighter jet. The evaluated by their deeds and not unique close cooperation, in all just by their declarations.

15 Cinema The Law in These Parts

he documentary The Law the entire Israeli system, and how functioning of the legal system in T in These Parts (“Shilton the Supreme Court itself took the connection with the settlements, haHoq”), by Ra’anan lead and assisted in undermining an issue with which she is well Alexandrowicz, deals with the Israeli Israeli democracy and civil rights, in acquainted due to her past and legal system that operates in the the name of which it operates. present functions. She saw the occupied territories since 1967. The What distinguishes the importance of the film in the fact documentary received a special documentary is the fact that it is that it documents an era and the award at the Canadian International entirely based on interviews with influence that the occupation and Documentary Festival – Hot Docs, legal professionals, mostly judges, rule of the West Bank had on the in Toronto, in the beginning of who worked in the military court existence of the State of Israel. May 2012; the World Cinema Jury system in the occupied territories; The documentary shows the legal Prize for 2012 in the category all those interviewed served also system as an instrument of the ‘Documentary” at the Sundance Film in the civic court system in Israel, occupation and illustrates how it Festival; and the best-documentary- including most senior justices, was used and instrumentalized to movie award at the Jerusalem Film such as the former president of seize land for settlement purposes. Festival in 2011. the Supreme Court, Justice Meir It shows the problematic nature The screening of the documentary Shamgar; and Judge Amnon inherent to the part that judges play and the following discussion, Straschnov. The documentary in the way this system operates, chaired by Iris Agmon, in which incorporates excerpts from existing as well as the problematic nature Adv. Talia Sasson, Udi Sommer, film material, the most instructive of the legal situation itself arising and the film’s director Ra’anan of which were actually old black- from the political reality in the Alexandrowicz participated, met and-white films, documenting occupied territories. In their own with great interest among students Israeli presence in the territories view the judges represent a and faculty, who filled the hall. since 1967. Whether intended democratic system, whereas the The documentary (about 100 min. or not, the interviews in the Palestinian side sees this system long) shows the development and documentary recapture the legal as representative of Israeli rule functioning of the Israeli military situation itself in which the judges and therefore as non-objective legal system, especially in the West turned into the accused. It was from the start. To this comes that Bank since 1967. In particular, clear that the interviewees felt at the state sends the judges to it focuses on the symbiotic times uncomfortable, especially uphold the law on its behalf while relationship between this legal when exposed to the internal legal- the state has clearly a vested system and the security system; on ethical contradiction in which they interest; it wants the land of the the way it was open to security and operated as judges and the inherent occupied. She raised the question political considerations and served presence of that contradiction in of how, given all this, the state them, be it in connection with the the Israeli legal system itself. copes with the internal conflict in detention of Palestinians suspected Adv. Talia Sasson was the the justice system. To Sasson’s of security offences, or be by legally first speaker in the discussion. regret, the state deals with the sanctioning the expropriation of Among other present and past problem by granting Palestinians land from Palestinians as well as the positions, Adv. Sasson headed the option of appealing to the entire settlement enterprise. The the department for special tasks Supreme Court that can review documentary shows how, despite at State Attorney’s Office, and the activities in the territories the pretension to uphold law and a prepared a report on outposts and was forced to participate in legal system in an objective manner for the Sharon government. She the laundering of political terms as part of Israel’s democracy, also is a member of the Peace and that assists in ignoring what is the Supreme Court was dragged Security Council, and heads the in plain sight. In many cases, as into the catch created by the political organization Yesh Din. In her for example with regard to the situation in occupied territories for talk she mainly addressed the separation fence, the political 16 considerations are presented as that citizens do not distinguish Udi Sommer, from the security considerations, which between legal and political Department of Political Science at the Supreme Court accepts as decisions. The Supreme Court Tel Aviv University, specializes in truth, given that it is based on the placed itself into the political arena, research on political institutions, assumption that the truth be told. to its own disadvantage, which political methodology and public Or could there be a court of law if the political establishment uses law. In his research Sommer it were otherwise? Sasson raised to fight off criticism by struggling studied the US Supreme Court another problem, one that the endlessly against the Supreme and legal development in documentary does not address. Court and eventually weakening comparative perspective. In his The documentary shows the legal it. Occupation and democracy are talk that was largely of theoretical system as a tool of the occupation, incompatible, given that the former nature, he dealt mainly with the but it does not deal with the gnaws away at the latter. This is term ‘rule of law’ (Shilton haHoq) other side of the coin – what the the result of a situation where in and its implications. Sommer occupation does to the legal the same territory, the West Bank, distinguished between the rule system. Though the latter opened there are two populations under of law and rule by (means of) the Supreme Court to petitions two legal systems, the Israeli civic law. The definition of the latter by Palestinians, but this creates one that applies to the settlements fits the situation depicted in the situations where the army does and the military one that applies to documentary. Rule by law is a not come out as being right, given the Palestinian population. situation where the law serves as a means for the authorities to implement the policy of an occupying power or a junta that changes the legal for its own convenience. The use of law as a means to rule implies that people loose the possibility to anticipate their future as well as everything granted by law until now. Such use of law means a change of the law in order to promote the interests of the government turning it into the ultimate goal. The documentary provides an illustration of such a situation where the legal system serves the state and its interests. The law used by Israel in the territories stems from three sources: Ottoman law, Mandatory law, and the laws of the State of Israel. All three are simultaneously valid in the territories and allow the system to move from one to another and to do as it pleases. The rule of law in a democratic system stems from the sovereign, that is the people, and expresses that sovereign’s will and voice. The documentary does not give voice to the Palestinians, which may not be its goals, but it shows that principles are not upheld; for example, the fact that the army that is also subject to the law and should uphold it, does not do so, and paradoxically, should at the same time also enforce it. In

17 the rest of his talk Sommer placed population, were in various periods was opened for questions that this situation into a comparative subject to another legal system were mainly directed to Ra’anan perspective. called the ‘debt regime’ – a title Alexandrowicz, the director of In Sommer’s view, the situation embodying its essence. As in the the film. He was mostly asked in colonial Algeria is similar to Israeli case, there was a colonial about the way the documentary the Israeli case. With regard situation in Algeria that necessitated was made, which included many to everything related to land, a complex administration. It more hours of recorded interviews employment and other aspects of mainly included the presence of that could not be included in the daily life, the European settlers in the interests of the occupier that documentary and raise issues Algeria were clearly privileged over pursued these interests by means not presented in the film. It was local Algerians. Yet, this preference of the legal system and ruled by a fascinating discussion that existed also in the legal system. In means of law rather than by rule raised many questions among the Algeria there was a legal system of law, whereas the local interests student audience with regard to that resembled the legal system were totally different and could not the functioning of the legal system of a democratic state. In practice be realized. in the territories. it applied to the European settlers, After the talks of Adv. Sasson whereas the Algerians, the native and Sommer, the discussion B oo k E V E N T s Threat: Palestinian Political Prisoners in Israel

n November 16, 2011 the as human rights activists. The book aims at emphasizing the O Chaim Herzog Center examination of various aspects of political nature of the prisoners’ held a panel dealing the issue of Palestinian prisoners actions, especially given that in with the book Threat: in Israel testifies that the issue is the Israeli public discourse they Palestinian Political Prisoners much more complex than usually are perceived as a threat to state in Israel (2011), edited by Anat assumed by the Israeli public. security and as potential suicide Matar and Adv. Abeer Baker, an The book deals with the prisoners bombers. The book’s main thesis independent lawyer heading the themselves, with the conditions is that the legal system employs Legal Clinic for Prisoners’ Rights of their detention, as well as various measures in order to at Haifa University, who provides with various legal and discursive classify and identify them as legal representation for political practices employed by the Israeli criminals, and thus to de-politicize and other Palestinian prisoners. legal system and the military courts their actions. This unique book is a collection towards them; with their status in Among the participants in the of articles written by jurists, international law and in Palestinian panel were some of the authors researchers, actual and former society, and with their place as of articles included in the book, Palestinian prisoners as well active factor in the conflict. The such as Esmail Nashef from

18 the Sociology and Anthropology length. The discrimination finds where each party in the power Department at BGU. Also Adv. expression also in other ways, relations represents an opposing Smadar Ben Natan participated including ‘small things,’ such as ideological party in the Israeli- in the panel, as well as Ofer Shiff the way of detention, the conduct Palestinian conflict. Thus the from the Ben-Gurion Research of the courts, the treatment in prison system in Israel embodies Institute for the Study of Israel and prison, the prison conditions, etc. one variation of the relations Zionism in Sede Boker, who was The legal system does also not between the Palestinian and Israeli the discussant in the panel. He specify their punishment. The most collectives. Nashef wanted to go raised a number of critical points conspicuous expression of the beyond a discussion framework regarding the book and responded discrimination is the administrative that simply sees the Israeli prisons to the presentations. detention, where the detention is as a microcosm of the conflict, The entire subject and carried out with the approval of and beyond the terminology of especially the meaning inherent a judge, but where the period of nationalism. He showed how the in the book’s title that defines detention is unknown and may issue of food in the prisons is an Palestinian prisoners in Israel as last for many years without the arena for the struggle between the ‘political’ prisoners is a sensitive detainees knowing either the prison authorities, the human rights issue for the Israeli public, which reason or the duration, which also organizations and the Palestinian found also expression in the way does not allow them any recourse national movement. the discussion was conducted. to legal action. The system’s Advocate Smadar Ben Natan, a The audience, mostly students, discrimination is also very obvious lawyer specializing in human rights was relatively big for that kind of with regard to Jewish political in Israeli and international law, who event. prisoners, imprisoned for terror also deals with prisoners’ rights and Anat Matar, one of the acts on political grounds; but none political trials, addressed the legal collection’s editors and lecturer in of what is applied to Palestinian aspects of the term ‘prisoner of the Philosophy Department at Tel prisoners is applied to them. war.’ In her talk she questioned the Aviv University, presented the book Esmail Nashef contributed an definition of Palestinian prisoners as a whole and mainly elaborated article to the book that is based as ‘prisoners of war’ and the on the term ‘political prisoner’ by on his dissertation. The latter is relevancy of the laws of war and the placing it in historical perspective a study on Palestinian prisoners conventions on prisoners of war to and in different political contexts in Israel from 1967 until 1993, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and such as Russia, Greece and South focusing in particular on their to prisoners who are members of Africa. She referred to the Irish considerable role in the dynamics Palestinian organizations. Ben context in some detail mentioning of the conflict between Israel and Natan’s main thesis was that the story of Bobby Sands, the IRA the Palestinians and of the political changes in international law since activist who died in prison after a negotiations between the two the 1960s give legitimate status to lengthy hunger strike in demand parties. Also in his talk, Nashef organizations fighting occupation, for recognizing him and his follow dealt with complex aspects of an oppressive regime or foreign inmates as political prisoners. the Palestinian prisoners issue, rule, and that these rules do not Among other things, Matar argued as for example the ways of only apply to conflicts between that the definition of Palestinian coping with the incarceration and states but also to situations prisoners as ‘political’ necessarily punishment practices, and their where a group seeks liberation entails political punishment, use as a platform for creating from another, hostile group. which is currently not the case. Palestinian identity. Drawing on While it is impossible to say that She also pointed out the inherent the theoretical conceptions of Palestinians are definitely entitled discrimination against Palestinian the French philosopher Michel to the status of prisoners of war, security-related/political prisoners. Foucault, Nashef approaches the but the existence of a Palestinian Some of them have been phenomenon of the Palestinian state is not a precondition for the imprisoned for their political prisoners as an embodiment of recognition of Palestinian prisoners activities for very long periods, at the characteristics of oppression as ‘prisoners of war.’ The right to times between twenty and thirty and oppressive power relations self-determination is recognized by years. By such long prison terms in modern societies. The use of international law, and it has to be the system places them in the modern mechanisms of control checked if this applies also to the same category as murderers who and punishment is not unique Palestinian context, for example, committed terrible acts and were to Israel, but in this case there in the wake of the recognition sentenced to prison terms of similar is also the national dimension, of the PLO as the legitimate

19 for reproducing these methods rather than abandoning them, and for copying such labeling while depriving the other side, the Israeli side, of the opportunity to listen. Moreover, Shiff argued that the labeling of Palestinian prisoners as threat cannot be understood unless the actual sense of threat that exists on the Israeli side is taken into consideration. He criticized the editors for a lack of balance in their approach. The required balance cannot be achieved by dealing with Jewish political prisoners, such as the prisoners belonging to the Jewish underground, but rather by giving due expression to the real sense of threat that exists on the Israeli side and is actually Conference In Search for Peace an integral part of the labeling of Ilai Alon, Ziad Abu Zayyad, Colette Avital, Koby Huberman the Palestinian prisoners as threat. It should be remembered that also representative of the Palestinians Palestinian prisoners, as a threat the Israeli party to the conflict falls or of the Oslo Accords. At present and to objectify them. Once they victim to labeling. And also this the issue is topical again, this time are labeled, there is a tendency aspect inherent to the relations in the context of the steps pursued to avoid seeing them as human between the two sides does not by the Palestinians at the UN. beings and to ignore everything find expression in the book. Giving Ofer Shiff from the Ben-Gurion they have to say. Shiff aimed at consideration of both the dialectic Research Institute for the Study criticizing the labeling mechanism of the conflict and the humanist of Israel and Zionism was the only and the inherent essentialism. aspect is the political and civic speaker on the panel who did not Shiff sees the book’s importance challenge faced by Israeli society. contribute a text to the book. He in the connection between the Following Shiff’s talk, the opened his talk on a personal note labeling mechanism and other discussion was opened to pointing out various levels of his mechanisms in Israeli society. In questions from the audience. own connection to the book and his view, the book does not remove From the beginning the panel’s its main issue. For one his parents labeling, but actually reproduces proceedings were extraordinarily were political prisoners during it. Shiff thought it necessary to heated and subject to recurring the Mandate period; they were get out of the swamps created interruptions by comments of a sentenced to long prison terms by that mechanism, something political nature from the audience. and were incarcerated in the Acre that the book does not sufficiently The atmosphere changed prison. Shiff mentioned that he do. The way to remove labeling gradually during the participants’ could identify with the images of the is by breaking up the group into presentations, and especially excitement and joy of Palestinians individuals in order to see the after Ofer Shiff had presented his meeting released family members, human beings in it, even if the comments in a cordial manner; sons, brothers and parents, that group has a collective national and thus the question-and-answer were shown on television screens message. The Israeli system part of the panel session could a few week earlier during the uses different ways to validate nonetheless be conducted in a coverage of Gilad Shalit’s release and facilitate such labeling – for dignified, factual and engaging as part of the implementation of example, by emphasizing the large fashion. The discussion on the the deal reached. number of Palestinian prisoners issue itself that developed in this Furthermore, Shiff stated that which exacerbates the threat and part demonstrated the importance in his view, the main issue raised shows that that the system sees of putting the issue on the agenda. by the book is the tendency to every Palestinian as a security label people, in this case the threat. Shiff criticized the book

20 Jama‘a Vol. 19 is Out

ama’a is an inter- also an important source for the J disciplinary journal for study of the daily life of Muslims Middle East Studies, among whom Jews lived. which serves as a stage for grad- Noga Rotem discusses the students, young scholars as well process of forgetting Palestine’s as established researchers. The Ottoman past in a piece titled journal is sponsored by the Chaim “‘With a Piano, Belly-Dancing is Herzog Center for Middle East Impossible:’ Representations Studies and Diplomacy at Ben- of the Ottoman Empire in Gurion University of the Negev. Israeli ‘Realms of Memory.’” Published since 1998, Jamaa Rotem analyzes images and positioned itself as a leading representations of Ottoman Hebrew journal in Middle East rule in the ‘Land of Israel’ Studies, enabling Hebrew readers as articulated in four major (students and the general public ‘realms of memory’: the alike) to encounter cutting-edge preservation of Ottoman works in the History, Sociology, buildings, school textbooks, Anthropology, Language and children’s literature, and Literature of the Middle East. The museums. The article suggests Each issue of Jamaa includes journal serves faculty members that omissions of Ottoman history a translation into Hebrew of an as a good indicator of what the from the collective memory are not article marking a milestone in the younger generation of scholars the result of a ‘natural’ erosion of study of the Middle East. This year is engaged with these days, memory, but rather are the result the editors decided to translate and contributes to the creation of the consistent construction of an article into Arabic instead, of a vivid academic community Zionist identity. believing that it will be of interest studying the Middle East. Volume The article by Reuven Snir, to the journal’s Arabic speaking 19 was published last October. “‘The More the Vision Increases, readers. Originally published This volume contains three the More the Expression in Jamaa, this article by Haim main articles. Amir Ashur’s article Decreases’: Muslim Mysticism Yaakobi deals with the city of Lod “Protecting the Wife’s Rights in between Experience, Language (al-Lidd in Arabic), and its unique Marriage as Reflected in Pre- and Translation,” investigates Sufi social fabric, including Arabs and nuptials and Marriage Contracts mystical experience as an internal, Jews. from the Cairo Genizah and personal, emotional, and irrational In addition, the volume offers Parallel Arabic Sources,” deals event which blurs the distinction a book review section, and a with prenuptial agreements found between subject and object. It section titled “Food for Thought,” among the Genizah documents, engages with issues such as the which allows researchers to share which allow us to study measures connections between mysticism preliminary conclusions and ideas taken by the Genizah society and institutionalized religion, from on-going projects with the to protect women marital rights. ascetic practices as a preparation journal’s readers. The article particularly focuses on for the mystical experience, the Last, but not least, by launching agreements that include distinct path toward unification with the Jamaa’s Facebook account: conditions aimed at protecting divine essence, and the use of the Jamaa, the journal aims at the rights of women within the symbols of human love and wine intensifying its dialogue with its nuclear family. The Genizah parties to describe the mystical readers. documents, Ashur shows, are union.

21 The Chaim Herzog Center Annual Scholarships Awards 2011

very year the Chaim Jewish bourgeois women in Cairo one type among many types of E Herzog Center awards between the World Wars. During new communities being built over scholarships to outstanding that period Cairo underwent the last two years. graduate students based on the significant processes of political, The simulation of war in an potential excellence of their research economic, social and cultural online-game is creating a war projects. The award ceremony was change. Exploring these women's zone, filled with real people, who held at the beginning of June, during life experiences and patterns and bring into the game their identities the annual international conference, their normative perceptions during using the possibilities created by that was this year titled In Search that time of dynamic change from a this new media. These identities for Peace in Middle East Turmoil. gender-aware perspective allows to are the center of the research. The ceremony took place in the challenge some of the conventions The study argues that, the way presence of Prof. Zvi Hacohen, regarding gender relations and media technologies have developed Rector of BGU, Mr. Mike Herzog, feminine identities in a Middle over the last decade, aloud the representative of the Herzog family Eastern space and its' 'passage' to MMOs games communities via and the Chaim Herzog Memorial modernity. the cyber synthetic experience to Fund, and Prof. Yoram Meital, the recreate reality and to change the Chairman of the Chaim Herzog Dina Dayan (Department of Middle way we perceive events. Center. Four students were awarded East Studies at BGU) The effect of virtual spaces scholarships, including two students “Multi Players Online Role-Playing and virtual communities that this working on M.A. theses in Middle Games (MMORPG): The formation research describes, on public East Studies. of a virtual space, and new types of opinion and on the way that the social communities in the Middle- virtual media present events to East today” the public is changing the way we MA theses understand the world around us. The research brings to light And the boundaries between reality Liat Magid-Alon (Department of different aspects of the virtual world and virtual reality become blurred. Middle East Studies at BGU) of multi-player online games. In In the research, the cyber “Feminine Identities and Gender this fast expanding phenomenon, language is been presented and in the Jewish Community in Cairo physical and cultural borders are analyzed in order to try and hear the between the Two World Wars” challenged by a technology and an way that the combination between emerging state-of-mind, creating visual representation (avatar) and This thesis re-examines the basic premises regarding modernity in Middle Eastern societies. Specifically, it explores feminine identities that seem to integrate values and behavioral norms which tend to be seen as contradictory in the public discourse and academic research. With surprising flexibility, these identities seem to accommodate patriarchal gendered hierarchy with individualism, independence, and the growing importance given to education, professional development and employment. The study focuses on a group hitherto neglected Liat Magid-Alon, Zvi Hacohen, Yoram Meital, Mike Herzog in historical research, namely

22 Annual Scholarships Awards 2011 textual representation (Blog) is WHO), the Israeli establishment, Saadia Gaon, Yaqub al-Qirqisani challenging Middle East traditional and Jewish immigrants from the and Yefet ben Eli” narratives and exploring the world French and Italian colonies. The of the new Virtual Middle East that encounter took place in three The study analyzes the status of is presented in this research. different venues: the immigration angels in tenth-century Judaeo- camps in the colonies, the Arabic thought by examining immigration camps in Marseilles, the writings of three prominent Ph.D. Dissertations and the “Immigration Gate” camp thinkers – Rabbi Saadia Gaon, in Haifa. The main argument is that head of the academy in Iraq, the Benny Nuriely (Department of doctors played a key role in this Karaite Yaqub Qirqisani, Saadia's Politics and Government at BGU) process, in terms of the regulation contemporary in Baghdad (both “The Medical Management of the and the medicalization of racial, from first half of the tenth-century), Immigration from North Africa, gender and class differences and the late tenth-century Karaite 1947-1960” between the immigrants and Yefet ben Eli in the Land of Israel. members of the absorbing society. Their doctrines of angels will be The dissertation deals with the The research is based on archival used as a test case to examine Jewish immigration from North material from archives in the USA, changes in Jewish thought caused Africa to Israel in the years 1947- France, Israel and Switzerland. by contact with the Islamic world 1960. The analysis focuses and Greek philosophy. on the encounter of medical Nabih Bashir (Department of experts representing international Jewish Thought, BGU) organizations (such as JDC, OSE, “Angels in the Thought of Rabbi

NEWSLETTER 2012 For More Information

Writers and Editors: About the Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy, Prof. Yoram Meital its activities and conferences, research funding, scholarships Haya Bambaji-Sasportas or publications, kindly contact Haya Bambaji-Sasportas at: Translation and English Editing: Chaim Herzog Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Dr. Ursulla Wokoeck Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel Graphic Design: Tel: 972-8-6472538, Fax: 972-8-6472922 Sefi Graphics Design, Beer-Sheva [email protected] Printing by: BGU Print Unit http://humweb2.bgu.ac.il/herzog/he

23 Calendar 2011-2012 (Selected)

January, 4, 2011 November, 16, 2011 Symposium: Moroccan Jews: History, Memory Book Event: Threat: Palestinian Political and the Reality in Israel Prisoners in Israel by Anat Matar and Abeer Baker February, 14-17, 2011 International Conference at Sapir College: December, 12-14, 2011 Gaza-Sderot Moving from Crisis to Sustainability Conference at Haifa, Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Universities: Celebration of Naguib Mahfouz’s February, 23, 2011 Hundreath Birthday Symposium: The Earthquake in Egypt and its Consequences January, 18, 2012 The Ambassadors Forum: “German March, 13, 2011 Policies in the Middle East and the Book Event to Mark the Hebrew version of German-Israeli Partnership”’, H.E. Andreas Formations of the Secular: Christianity, Islam, Michaelis, German Ambassador to Israel Modernity by Talal Asad March, 19, 2012 March, 23, 2011 The Ambassadors Forum: “Expanding The Ambassadors Forum: “Britain, Israel the Israel-US Partnership in a Changing and the Region”, H.E. Matthew Gould, UK Middle East”’, H.E. Daniel b. Shapiro, Ambassador to Israel US Ambassador to Israel

March, 27, 2011 March, 21, 2012 Screening and a Discussion of the Documentary Screening and a Discussion of a Documentary Back and Forth: Four Stories from the Negev, The Law in These Parts by Ra’anan by Yusra Abu Kaff, Kamla Abu Zeila, May Alfrawna, Alexandrowicz Morad Alfrawna May, 14, 2012 May, 15, 2011 Panel at BGU Board of Governors Meeting: Symposium: The Middle East at The Eye of Storm: Middle East Transformation Trends and Challenges June, 25-26, 2012 May, 15, 2011 Conference: Islam in Israel – A Reappraisal Symposium: Religion and Politics in Modern Egypt

May, 31-June, 2, 2011 An International Conference: In Search for Peace in Middle East Turmoil 2012 2011 Who’s Who at the Center

Scientific Committee

 Chairperson: Prof. Yoram Meital ([email protected])  Prof. Yoram Meital, Dept. of Middle East Studies, BGU  Academic and Administrative Coordinator:  Prof. Steve Rosen, Archaeology Dept., BGU Haya Bambaji-Sasportas ([email protected])  Prof. Haggai Ram, Dept. of Middle East Studies, BGU  Elad Ben-Harush, Assistant  Dr. Avi Rubin, Dept. of Middle East Studies, BGU  Hussein Al-Ghol, Assistant

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