"Boycott of YESHA Products Proves How Productive We Are"

Many years ago, I heard that message from Women in Green founder Nadia Matar, and it's relevant today, too.

The fact that there's industry in Judea, Samaria, Jordan Valley and the Golan Heights owned by Jews is a wonderful thing. And the fact that the BDS and their fellow travelers love to list them makes it much easier for people to davka patronize them.

There's industry here, and the products are sold and used all over the world, not just locally.

Too many people even in Israel still like to think that we somehow live in tents and caravans commuting to work in "Israel." The "settlement enterprise," sic has been thriving for about forty years already.

Besides the traditional, going back to Biblical times, of wines, olive oil etc, there's also high tech here and all sorts of other industries, international, too. And contrary to what people like to think, Arabs work together with Jews in some of them.

The Ariel University is probably the fastest growing one in Israel. And it, too, benefits Arabs.

Nothing is apartheid against Arabs. The only people restricted are Jews. There are places where are warned not to enter, roads not to drive on, businesses we are kept out of and schools we are forbidden to study or teach in.

BDS and the like-minded actually do us a favor by mentioning all of the businesses and educational opportunities here. Patronize them, please.

Worldwide Delegates Participate in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center

Worldwide Delegates Participate in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center  By Baruch Shomron  September 11, 2012  as appeared in the JEWISH PRESS, Aussies, Danes,Swedes Turks, and Bedouins Learn New Media & Public Diplomacy at Ariel University

The Turkish delegate: "My friends are shocked that I came to Israel."                 The Denmark delegate: "It's a rare opportunity - you can't just call the army and ask to be shown around."                                                   

   Photograph credit: Naama Hirsh

 Photograph credit: Naama Hirsh

The hot Israeli sun brought warmth to the faces of the delegates who just got off the bus. They have arrived from all over the world including Denmark, Sweden, Turkey and Australia to take part in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center in the Shomron. Their formal goal is to "gain a better understanding, of how public diplomacy shapes the Middle East conflict," but they are also counting on having a lot of fun.

"It is wonderful to be here again," said Turkish delegate Aga Beck.  Although he had recently visited Israel two months ago, this was his first time over the 1967 green line. "I'm not shocked to be here, since I don't believe the news in Turkey" he said. But his friends from home see it differently: "My friends are shocked that I came to Israel, because they have really 'interesting' views concerning Israel."  

       

I met Diana Nujidaat, from the Galilee, at the entrance to the dormitories. She's in her last year of high school and dreams of becoming a member of the Israeli parliament. She has lived her entire life in Israel yet she's never been over the 1967 green line. "It's my first time here and I'm very excited to be here." Nujidaat hails from a Beduii tribe in Israel and explained that "It's an Israeli state, the majority is Jewish, and I accept that, but this is also my state."   

         

Magnos Frank, a delegate from Denmark, is very exited to have come to Israel. "I'm very glad to be here, and I'm looking forward to this seminar." The program’s field trips are of special interest to him as he pointed out that "it's a rare opportunity, you can't just call the army and ask to be shown around."   

The seminar is sponsored by The Communications School at the Ariel university center, and the Ministry of Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs. It will take place throughout the coming week concluding on September 14^th. During the program the delegates will meet with Israeli officials, reporters, professors and political activists such as the 'watch' women and settlers. The delegates will also travel in the West Bank and visit sensitive area in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.          

Baruch Shomron is a communication/journalism student at the Ariel University Center.