The Online Reflector

By Sarah Haefner | Feature Editor

The University of Indianapolis welcomed guest speaker Susan Nathan on Oct. 27 to discuss her personal experiences and views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The event, held in Good Recital Hall, was presented by the Honors College as a part of its annual speaker series, in which prominent members of the local, national and international community share opinions and attitudes concerning pertinent issues.

Nathan, author of “The Other Side of Israel,” was born in England and, after visiting South Africa, the birthplace of her father, she was moved by the political and social apartheid policies she discovered were in practice.

At the age of 50, Nathan took up the Jewish Law of Return and moved to Israel after experiencing anti-Semitism in Europe. She soon found, however, that her new home in the Middle East was characterized by conflict, political struggle and government policies that Nathan could only describe as “apartheid.”

“Although Israel’s policies differ from those practiced in South Africa, there is a definite deprivation of living standards, adequate budgeting and proper infrastructure for the Palestinians,” Nathan said.

Nathan described scenes in Israel that she had witnessed as a testament to her opinions on Israeli policies, including overcrowded schools, home demolition and fundamental injustices felt by the Palestinian Arabs.  Nathan also cited Arab settlements, checkpoints and the West Bank wall as elements of segregation and suppression.

Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marian College Pierre Atlas also spoke at the event, providing an alternative view of the conflict.

Describing Israel as a complex society in which everything is political, Atlas pointed out a few critiques he had of Nathan’s views, though admitted they shared many common sentiments.  Among other ideas, Atlas stressed the implications of Israel being a Jewish state.

“It isn’t just a question of giving more money to towns.  Even if [Palestinians] have full political equality, they will never have cultural equality,” Atlas said.  “The only way to dismantle Israel as a Jewish state is to destroy it.”

Although the future has yet to unfold on this prominent strip of land barely larger than the state of New Jersey, Nathan was able to divulge her hopes for both Israel and the Arabs living within it.

“My hope for the Palestinians is that they become equal citizens and for Israel, a one-state solution [providing] peace and prosperity,” Nathan said.