Dateline 29 November 1995

ACTIVITY #2: SIMULATED DEBATE

Synopsis

Simulation of Israeli political party views on territorial concessions present and past, followed by an out-of-role review.

Aims

Facilitate an internalization of Israel's political debate;

Enable a presentation and evaluation of all the viewpoints in the debate, without prejudice;

Enable acquisition of knowledge through full participation.

Time-frame:

30 minutes for input and 90 minutes for simulation & debate.

Preparation

Spreadsheet for input from mini-survey;

Current Knesset list in several copies ;

Large sheets of sketching paper and stationery requirements;

Role-sheets in several copies ;

Writing materials;

Israeli responses to polls in several copies;

Either: Martin Gilbert Historical Atlases: relevant maps of Israel from 1947 to the present day in several copies or on transparency [with overhead projector].

Or: accompanying maps on Web;
Tape, blu-tack, etc... {C}

Procedure

{C}

1. {C}
   • Participants have about 10-15 minutes to mark up their input from the mini-survey. {C}

   • Share general impressions and feelings about interviewing, people's reactions. Use the break and the debate time if possible to collate the data and prepare results.
     

   • Short break.
     

   • Hand out the current [13th] Knesset party line-up and split the group into 9 factions [of equal size].
     

   • Quietly and by agreement, the groups have to construct together a left-to-right diagram on large sketch paper, showing a logical arrangement of the parliamentary parties, writing their number of mandates in parentheses.
     

   • Each Knesset faction is handed their role sheet and participants should work out a peace process platform based on the questions 1-7 from the mini-survey.
     

   • Each party now has to write up their platform on a large sheet of paper and post it on the wall.
     

   • Allow a few minutes for everyone to review the collection of positions.
     

   • Introduce the maps from 1947-1967. Explain where the border fell under the Partition provisions and where it fell after the cease-fire agreements. Split into parties again.
     

   • Would you have opposed or accepted the 1947 Partition Plan as presented? Why/why not?
     

   • Now compare the concessions of 1947 with the concessions proposed today. Could you change your opinion in respect of the current proposals? Why? How?
     

   • Which of the following options would you vote for in the Knesset? Formulate each of the following ideas into a title for a draft bill to present for a Knesset vote.
     * Introduce a law to provide for a national referendum on major territorial concessions;
     * Legislate for a two-thirds majority on these issues;
     * A regular Knesset vote would suffice?
     Each party decides its own position and then tries to join coalitions with other factions, to improve the chances of winning the vote.
     Factions are allowed to make compromises.
     Choose one speaker for and against each proposal; speakers will have two minutes to present ideas.
     

   • Nominate a Speaker of the Knesset to run the debate. Speakers are heard in a regular For/Against. The vote is taken according to the number of Knesset mandates each party holds. Parties can only vote "yes" on one of the proposals!
     

   • Participants express their personal preferences.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HOLD THE FINAL DISCUSSION, OR IF THERE IS NOT TIME FOR IT IN YOUR NEXT MEETING/CLASS, YOU WILL NEED THE USE THE FOLLOWING "QUICK REVIEW" TO WIND UP.

Quick review

1. What are the similarities and differences of attitude between the real Israeli parties and people surveyed in our community?
   

2. What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the situation in 1947 and the situation today?
   

3. What are Israel's chances of peace without major territorial concessions? {C}
   

4. Are there any other options you would recommend?

{C}

{C}