Full recording of the simulation is below.
Professor Juergensmeyer teaches Global Studies, Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He said that to a large extend the Israeli Palestinian conflict is a “war in our minds”.
In each simulation participants assume the role of Israeli Prime Minister, Hamas leader and Palestinian Authority President. The rest of the audience act as either Palestinian or Israeli Parliament members.
The simulation requires participants to assume that nationwide elections were held for the entire area of Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. That 5 million people voted, 300 Parliament embers, president and vice President were elected.
Working within that framework the parliament
1) Ratified the Constitution.
2) Passed a declaration of peace.
3) Passed legislation requiring the teaching of tolerance and understanding in the Israeli and Palestinian educational system.
4) Passed legislation requesting other countries to limit their arms supply to the region.
Each legislation was accepted by the leaders of Israel and Palestine.
Professor Juergensmeyer compared the Israeli Palestinian conflict to the Cold War which ended in the collapse of the Berlin Wall. He said that the U.S was afraid of the Communists only to understand later that the Cold War was not a real war but a “War in our Minds”. He believes that the Israeli Palestinian conflict to a large extend is a the same. He believes the IPC formula could become a reality faster than we think just like the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
Meeting Recording:
