Nick Kristof is a good guy. He writes for the New York Times, but he is unlike some of their other writers (cough cough Judy Miller). He has helpfully provided a gift link to his latest OpEd, which is his advice to the protesting students. I agree with almost everything he says, and it largely mirrors the advice I have been giving to my own daughters.
Please use the gift link to read the article in full.
He closes with this..
Second, this may sound zany, but how about raising money to send as many of your student leaders as possible this summer to live in the West Bank and learn from Palestinians there (while engaging with Israelis on the way in or out)? West Bank monitors say that a recent Israeli crackdown on foreigners helping Palestinians, by denying entry or deporting people, has made this more difficult but not impossible.
Student visitors must be prudent and cautious but could study Arabic, teach English and volunteer with human rights organizations on the ground. Palestinians in parts of the West Bank are under siege, periodically attacked by settlers and in need of observers and advocates.
Those students returning at the end of the summer would have a much deeper understanding of the issues and how to help. It would be life-changing, an education as rich as any you’re getting on campus.
If you have been following the crisis, looking for voices of reason and sanity, then you may have noticed a common theme in that. Those voices of sanity tend to be Israeli (Jewish) guys who have studied Islamic history, and Palestinians who have studied Western (including Jewish and Christian) history.
Jewish guys like this one (yes, I am making a plug for you to follow these guys)
And Palestinian guys like this one (yes, please follow this one as well)
By contrast, in my view, the disappointments have been with our elite (the ones we trust to take care of our Government) who have been unable to transcend tribal loyalties.
This is not some sort of a secret formula for understanding conflict. The Bible of All Conflicts was written down by Greek Historian Thucydides. His “History of the Peloponnesian war” remains the Bible, including for modern historians who seek to understand all conflicts in history. What was Thuycidedes’ background? He was a trained historian (a student of Herodotus) and a soldier. But, here is the thing….there are many trained historians who are also soldiers. None of them go on to become a Thuycidedes. What made Thuycidedes special? Fate mostly! He was a General in the Athenian Army, but he lost a battle and was blamed by his side (i.e., the Athenians) for that loss. As a result of that, he was expelled (that was something that Athens could do back then), and forced to live with, and spend time with the enemy (i.e. the Spartans). He thus saw the conflict from both sides. The resulting treatise offers a unique insight into why people fight; and a one line summary of his book is as follows: wars are fought because of (in order of importance) (1) fear (2) honor & (3) resources.
So, Nick Kristof’s advice is very salient. Students who are protesting for a better world have my full support. But they would make a bigger difference if they spent time understanding & documenting the world they are trying to improve. Such as by spending time in the West Bank (and, when it is possible.. also in Gaza). They don't have to accept the Israeli spin on how Palestinians are not deserving of human rights.
For my own daughters, I generally add a caveat: finish college first.