GEOFF GOODSON
<Contributor>
As I write this article I am in a shierut (shuttle), from the Ben Gurion airport in Tele Viv to Hebrew University’s Beit Maiserdorf faculty club, which will be our home for the next month. The sparse palm trees and occasional bright flowers contrast against the ubiquitous side-reel running by my window. Everywhere, box-like buildings seem to be made from the same grey stone, which causes the architecture to appear almost like a military compound, blending in with the other dusty hues of the rocky desert. The many high fences and assault rifles don’t help this impression and I feel there is a certain sense of foreboding in this country, although the people are extremely friendly.
We are here for Osgoode’s Israel summer program. Many of us thought that our courses would “interfere with our vacation” and this apprehension was partially true as it was difficult to juggle school and sight-seeing. However, much of the work was very rewarding. Hebrew U exposed us to some extremely unique perspectives in the field of law and economics, which were fascinating and challenging (especially for a bone fide math drop-out like myself.) But, more important in my mind and especially if you are considering this opportunity, Professor Harpaz’s Public International law class will certainly be for you. Harpaz grappled with the difficult legal history of Israel with such great sensitivity to the many stakes involved, both internationally and domestically. He was an even-handed guide to the intricacies of one of the most contested sites in history and truly, to navigate this legal landscape was fascinating, eye-opening and perplexing.
But I’m not going to lie, my mind wanders easily here and I had trouble concentrating on my studies. Israel’s long rocky hills are not what one might expect when they picture the middle east, but many histories seem to come alive here. Jesus is preaching on the mount of Olives, or walking through the desert in sandals. Mohammad is ascending to the heavens from the dome of the rock. The old temple is rising over us and the Romans are coming back to haunt the far reaches of their empire. And all this in the shadow of a suicide bomber, unequal civil rights, or equally so, in the shadow of the holocaust and the Jewish struggle for nationhood. Israel is a teacher that says do as I say but not as I do. Its history and religious heritage speaks to humanity’s reverence for life in the starkest of environments, but also shows us how humanity can turn in on itself in conflict. But then again, the country is so many things to so many people. I would highly recommend taking the trip and having the experience for yourself.
