Bringing the Parties to the Table:

Simulating a Middle East Peace Summit

A WebQuest

Joyce Valenza and Jeff MacFarland

"There has been enough destruction, enough death, enough waste. And it's time that together we occupy a place beyond ourselves, our peoples, that is worthy of . . .the descendants of the children of Abraham."

King Hussein of Jordan

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Resources

Introduction

For well over fifty years, the state of Israel has seen conflict. It is a complicated conflict over land, religion, resources, human rights, political freedom, security, and national identity. The triumph of the establishment of the Jewish homeland, seen by much of the world as an inspiring achievement, is seen by the Arab world as the dispossession of an indigenous people. Arguments over the ownership of the Holy Land of Jews and Christians and Moslems, and the status and treatment of Palestinians, have been the cause of wars in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973 and 1982.

Though the world has watched the efforts toward peace over the past twenty years, Israel today is the site of new waves of violent uprisings, with each side blaming the other for the violence. Osama Bin Laden recently broadcast this threat to the world, "Neither America nor the people who live in it will dream of security before we live it in Palestine, and not before all the infidel armies leave the land of Muhammad."

Is lasting peace possible between Israel's Jews and the Palestinian people? Can Prime Minister Sharon, the fifth leader in eight years, unite Israel's people and its divided Parliament? Can Palestinian leaders unite the many factions within their own people? Is it possible for two peoples--with diverse opinions, values, and characters--to share the land to which they both lay claim? What role will the pressure from outside terrorist groups play? What compromises and concessions must be made to assure a stable future?

Get ready! You will be an active participant in an historic United Nations peace summit. We have gathered a group of important leaders, as well as individuals who will testify to the point of view of the average people involved. Your mission is to create a lasting and viable peace!

The Task

Preparation/Research (in the library--Days One and Two):

Be prepared to answer these Essential Questions from your assigned perspective before you come to the table! (You may want to print this organizer to help you record your notes.)

Your speech (in the classroom--Day Three):

During the talks:

Open Discussion (Day four):

Be prepared to present your resolution in the UN open forum led by Kofi Annan. Be prepared to defend the resolutions you have signed.

The Process

You will each assume the role of an important player in the crisis. Though one person in each group, or pair, will be the active speaker, s/he will be supported by their partner(s), who will collaborate on the opening speech and support the speaker with information and advice during the panel discussion.

Roles:

Moderator
  • Ban Ki-Moon UN Secretary General, moderating the peace talks.  Represent the perspective of the United Nations.  Look at relevant Resolutions as 181, 194, 242, 338, etc.

Israeli Contingent

                        

 
Palestinian Contingent

                    

 
Heads of State
   

For more information on these individuals and groups, check the resource page ,

Catalogs and Databases,  Biography Resource Center, and Biography Reference Bank  in ACCESS PA POWER Library

 

The links above may provide a basic introduction to your roles. For more information our Global Studies Pathfinder and our Middle East Crisis resource page. You are responsible for teaching this lesson through your research, your presentation, and your dialog. To be truly ready, you will definitely want to "mine" this entire page for important documents, current news, and the perspectives of the various parties involved.  Remember, you can use Biography Resource Center,  Facts On File's Newsmaker Profiles, and Biography Reference Bank in ACCESS PA's POWER Library.

Evaluation

 

You will be graded on your written work, your oral participation, and the depth of your research. .

  Criteria Poor (1) Adequate (2) Good (3) Exemplary (4) Score
Speech Speech is logically organized and presents the major arguments in a compelling manner.          
Depth of research Students used a variety of high quality resources and incorporated documents and news.          
Documentation Students documented sources appropriately in the written product.          
Participation in discussion and costume Contributions were meaningful, thoughtful, and appropriate. Students will also be assessed based on frequency of input.          

Group work,

productivity, and 

conference

 Work displays evidence of collaboration. Students worked effectively as a team incorporating the talents of all members.          
Notes on others groups' speeches Notes reflect the major arguments of each group without copying verbatim.          
Character representation Student faithfully represented character's views in speech, discussions, and written work.          
Resolution Students developed a  resolution reflecting your party's perspective.          

Conclusion

This exercise is about global studies, but it is also about perspective, compromise, and conflict resolution. Perhaps neither side of the Arab-Israel crisis is currently ready for peace. Will a solution require the initiative of a leader with the "wisdom of Solomon"? The only safe prediction for the region is that things cannot continue as they are. No change is possible, no one wins, if people on either side of an issue do not listen to each other.

"Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to truth." Thomas Jefferson

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