The Observer, February 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18
Caravan for Democracy prompts discussion about Middle East
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The Most Powerful Learning Environment in the World is nothing without the Most Internationally Aware Students in the World. On Thursday, Feb. 16, Case and Hillel hosted Yechiel Leiter, Chief of Finance to former Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. Caravan for Democracy, a group whose goal is to foster constructive dialogue about the Middle East on college campuses throughout the United States by featuring different speakers from Israel, chose Case as one of ten campuses in the United States to receive funding for programming. Students Nadav Weinberg and Adam Zollman were chosen to be student leaders for Caravan for Democracy and have worked with the university and Hillel to provide the campus with opportunities to learn about the Middle East.
Leiter spoke to an audience of approximately seventy falafel-munching-students about the situation in the Middle East. It came to no surprise that the former Chief of Finance discussed the economic issues Israel faces. Leiter identified several problems and explained their solutions. He compared the lack of a free market to a boot pinning Israel down. Now that the boot has been lifted, Israel is free to make use of what Leiter declared its only natural resource – a highly educated population. And they have used it well: Israel was nearly bankrupt and is now one of the once world's fastest growing economies.
Democratic beliefs, elections, and the spread of democracy were also discussed. "Democracies do not go to war with democracies," said Leiter. This, in his opinion, is why the spread of democracy and programs like Caravan for Democracy are so important.
After a brief question and answer period discussing education reformation, military action against Iran, and the upcoming election, Leiter ensured the audience that he is not trying to push his beliefs on anyone. His only request is that everyone should take a trip to Israel while they are able to, before the responsibilities that come after college prevent it. He even let the audience know that he frequently takes two hour lunches at some very trendy restaurants and would encourage anyone to look him up if they were in the area.
Case and the nine other schools were each chosen because of a lack of campus activity surrounding Israeli advocacy, programming, and peace talks. Hillel has done what it can, but "Hillel is about Judaism and this is about the state of Israel, which are two very distinct things," said Weinberg. Case became involved with Caravan for Democracy only recently, and was informed of Leiter's visit only two weeks before he arrived. Despite the short notice, Weinberg declared the speech a success – more than twice the number of students attended Leiter's speech here than at the University of Arizona, a school with over seven times the undergraduate population of Case. "It was refreshing to see a good mix of students, especially Muslims and Jews, sharing a common interest," said junior Todd Jacobs.
Weinberg also discussed programs that Caravan for Democracy is in the process of planning. The grant given to the group, totaling $10,000, provides for one large and two small events. Leiter's speech was one of the smaller events – costing under $1000. The next event to take place later this semester has not been finalized but the idea of a panel consisting of "Judaic, religion, and law professors from both sides of the argument" to provide an interactive debate for the campus has been tossed around. The final say will be up to Caravan for Democracy, but Weinberg expressed that he feels that Case has had enough lecturers and needs more discussions. Weinberg hopes that the large event, to take place next year, will have a big speaker – "Someone whose name makes you wow," says Weinberg. Weinberg and Zollman will both be traveling to Israel this summer with Caravan for Democracy where they will learn about Israeli advocacy, historical information, and meet with political leaders.
Students at Case are part of an extremely diversified and intelligent campus, but any education is incomplete without programs designed to expand knowledge outside the classroom. Programs like Caravan for Democracy provide the opportunity for self-discovery that every college student needs.
