Geography Education
Geography Education
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Global news with a spatial perspective: Interesting, current supplemental materials for geography students and teachers. http://geographyeducation.org
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U.N. approves Palestinian 'observer state' bid

U.N. approves Palestinian 'observer state' bid | Geography Education | Scoop.it
From edition.cnn.com - November 29, 2012 8:58 PM
The United Nations General Assembly approved an upgraded U.N. status for the Palestinian Authority, despite U.S. and Israeli opposition.


While this may be primarily symbolic, it is still a highly significant move on the part of the United Nations.  65 years ago, the United Nations called for a two-state system.  This map of the vote that I found on Facebook (can't find another source as of yet) is quite intriguing. 

 

Questions to Ponder: Why might a country choose to abstain?  Can you think of a specific reason why a particular country abstained?  With this new geopolitical fact, how will Israel and Palestine move forward?   

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Seth Dixon's comment, November 30, 2012 7:32 AM
I found this comment from Shaul Cohen, a Jewish Geography Professor who lived in Israel and served in the IDF: "Sixty-five years ago today the United Nations voted in favor of an independent Israel, a vote that was opposed by Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. That opposition was a mistake, and they also were voting against the creation of a Palestinian state. Today the United Nations moved one step closer to the establishment of that Palestinian state, a move that was opposed by Israel and the United States. That opposition was a mistake.
In the intervening decades many lives have been lost, many families have been shattered, and the course of two nations has been warped by violence and hostility. Unfortunately, there are still too many people on each side that refuse to recognize the basic rights and fundamental humanity of the other community, and see the situation as a zero-sum contest. Indeed, there are those that celebrate when the other loses even more so than working toward realizing their own goals. This is a tragedy, and the guilt lies with the leadership on both sides, but also with those who justify their actions on fear and hatred… something that is too easily mobilized and manipulated by those opposed to compromise.
It’s way past time for Israelis to recognize that when Palestinians lose, they themselves lose, and for Palestinians to recognize that when Israelis lose, they too lose. The communities are too bound up with one another to suffer in isolation. In the long run Israel will not have what it wants before there is a Palestinian state, and Palestinians will not have their state so long as they contemplate war against Israel. The way forward, despite it all, remains two states for two nations, a configuration that has broad endorsement and a simple logic. ANYONE WHO ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF PALESTINIANS MUST ALSO BE A SUPPORTER OF A SECURE ISRAEL; AND ANYONE WHO ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL HAS TO SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT AND VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE. Anything else is a recipe for continued failure and bloodshed, and there’s been far too much of that already. Today is less a day for celebration than a day for reflection, and even more for dedication to a just and lasting peace. All the rest is just vanity…."
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Anger Over Film Fuels Anti-American Attacks in Libya and Egypt

Anger Over Film Fuels Anti-American Attacks in Libya and Egypt | Geography Education | Scoop.it
From www.nytimes.com - September 12, 2012 3:46 PM
Protesters upset over an American-made video denouncing Islam attacked the United States Consulate in Libya, while Egyptian demonstrators stormed over the walls of the United States Embassy in Cairo.


The idea of anti-U.S. protests in the Middle East and Northa Africa on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 was initially quite shocking. As always, a greater understanding of the cultural context and timing helps explain (not necessarily justify) the situation. The video produced by "Sam Bacile" that has sparked the controversy is truly reprehensible and as cultural insensitive as it gets. Still, the protests, by blindly lashing out at the United States embassy, only exacerbate the cultural problems. 

UPDATE: This public gathering of Libyan's in Benghazi to apologize for the death of Chris Stevens is quite poignant.  


Questions to Ponder: How does one single YouTube video impact geopolitics?  Culturally speaking, what makes this such a powerfully charged issue?  Will this issue become fodder for the election? 


Tags: MiddleEast, political, culture, Islam, religion.

Jeff F's comment, September 17, 2012 6:46 PM
I find it unsetteling that such violence can erupt from the content of one film. It's also curious that only in Islam does such violence occur due to that religion's view of blasphemy. It makes me ponder what exactly is going on in Islamic culture that allows for this scenario to keep popping up. Rarely in modern times does violence happen in response to blasphemy against other religions and when it does happen, it tends to be isolated events rather than mass protests.

I think the most likely answer is that societies which are based upon other religions tend to be much more secular. Religion tends to play less of a role in most people's life.

Mark V's comment, September 17, 2012 9:38 PM
Reading the accounts of Libyan protests and violence that culminated in the death of Ambassador Stevens leaves many questions. Notwithstanding of which is the role of religion in an increasingly secular globalized world economy. Of course there are many back stories here as well. The ghost of 9/11, the Arab Spring, uneasiness between Israel and Iran, US military presence in the Mideast; etc. The trigger for the violence-we are led to believe- was the video “Innocence of Muslims” by a California man named Sam Bacile. Bacile’s video while short, was cartoonish and ruthless in its appraisal of Muhammad and Islam, Bacile is on record stating that “Islam is a cancer”. Bacile an Israeli-American feels no need to engage in any cultural sensitivity on the issue, and his video has clearly caused much consternation in the Arab world.
The cultural sensitivity issue is probably the hardest issue for America and West in general to overcome. Religion in the US is more of a decoration, a footnote, something that is on the decline, it is not the center of life here. For Muslims it’s the focal point , a prism from which they look at the world through. Marginalized by the world, brutalized and manipulated within their own countries, Arabs look to their religion to be a rock on which they can build themselves. To dismiss it as ridiculous, comical, or evil can only foster great distrust and anger. Within the communities of the Mideast sentiment varies and many expressed horror over the embassy attacks, blaming extremists like the Muslim Brotherhood.
Within all the confusion I think of the situation in Syria, the ongoing genocide and the chess pieces within a larger world stage. I wonder if there is a workable solution to any of the issues from North Africa to Afghanistan. One thing is certain Israel must feel insecure in the days, weeks, and months ahead, as things trend toward “us” versus ‘them”.
Don Brown Jr's comment, September 18, 2012 6:33 PM

This video effects geopolitics in the region in a number of ways as the US may find itself bearing the brunt of the Islamic world reaction from this video since the producer was a American. The fact that Jewish donors provided funds for the film will likely further strain relations between Israel, the United States and the Islamic countries. Likewise in the upcoming 2012 election how both parties choose to address this while trying to appeal to “Christian” voters will add another layer of complexity to this issue.
This video is a clear example of just how interconnected the world we live in today really is and how a single actions can affect many others creating unforeseen consequences. Hopefully the lesson that can be learned from the “Innocence of Islam” U-Tube trailer is that people need to be more cultural sensitive when it comes to displaying public information that can be easy diffused around the world. The largely negative reaction from the global Muslim community has shown us that we cannot afford to be ignorant or cultural incentive to others in an increasing globalized and connected world. However another lesson that both the US, Libya, Egypt and the world at large should take note of is that nations should not become the focal point of acts of violence due to the actions of a few individual whether it is a terrorist or Sam Bacile. We in the West need to take into account that in the Muslim world there isn’t really a separation between church and state like there is in the here so religious matters affect every aspect of society. We should also take into mind that this was also the case in Europe not to many centuries ago, remember the Middle Ages and the inquisition.
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Back to the Future: "The Libyans!"

From www.youtube.com - October 26, 2011 9:37 AM

Why in the United States popular culture of the 1980's would the evil villains are portrayed as Libyans?  How has the perception of Libya changed over the years?  With the toppling of Qaddafi's regime and his death, how do we see Libya today?    

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