Middle Eastern Israel

Living in America (or Jerusalem for that matter) it's easy to forget that Israel is in the Middle East. We all know Americans who have moved here, into towns full of English-speakers. It's easy to walk around Emek Refaim or Ben Yehudah and hear only the chatter of Anglo-tourists and seminary students. We imagine Israel to be a Western nation, fighting the terrorist battle facing the entire Western world, participating in the academic world we inhabit and embodying a Western-style democracy we can all relate to. Of course, there's an element of truth to all of these, but I think it's worthwhile reminding ourselves once in a while that Israel is a Middle Eastern countries, and that does make a difference.

I was first reminded of this last week, when a former member of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) gave a speech to a group of former Israeli Fulbright scholars. His speech was a refreshing analysis of certain aspects of the conflicts in the Middle East. Refreshing, because he is a former member of the government, and therefore is no longer required to adjust his comments to fit any party line. He gave a frank analysis of the prospects for peace in Israel, including his suggestions for future Israeli and American approaches to Iran, Syria and the Palestinian conflict. But when addressing America's role in the Middle East he reminded us that all those other entities are not the only Middle Easterners, but that Israel too is a Middle Eastern country, and many of its citizens have what may be called a Middle Eastern mentality. This is apparent in politics, and is often a reason for misunderstanding between America and Israel, and especially between America and other Middle Eastern countries.

After that reminder, I began to take note of those aspects of Israeli culture which are Middle Eastern. It's especially obvious in the arts. The international oud festival is a great example, but it also shows up in the fine arts, in the works of my classmates and in the galleries and museums. But perhaps it is most obvious in the Israeli manners. The type of hospitality and bluntness which seems to me to be characteristic of Middle Eastern cultures.