Naomi Chazan, deputy speaker of the Israeli Parliament, gave a candid account of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict before an audience of roughly 300 people in Logan Hall on Wednesday.
Chazan is one of the top legislators in Israel's parliament, the Knesset, specializing in women's rights and consumer issues. She also serves on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, among others.
Chazan juxtaposed humor and tragedy in her structured two-hour presentation and discussion before her diverse audience.
"When a sniper shoots a pregnant woman, [an] Israeli, and kills her husband, it is cruel," Chazan said.
"When Israeli soldiers, at checkpoints, humiliate people on [a] daily basis and do not let food to go into the Palestinian territories, that's cruel," she continued, emphasizing the suffering of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.
Chazan spoke candidly about her position in the often-controversial Israeli legislature
"At least once a week I understand why I didn't become a kindergarten teacher," Chazan said jokingly while commenting on her current position in the Knesset.
"However, [the Knesset] is not a kindergarten. It's a fiasco and it's appalling," she continued, no longer smiling.
Chazan outlined the present difficulties of resolving the problem, including the process of political decision making.
"Virtually every official action is emotionally driven," she said.
"We are in the midst of a legitimate struggle for independence against Israeli occupation," she said, taking the view of the Palestinians. "Most Israelis are incapable of hearing that."
Chazan advocated the creation of a separate Palestinian state to help resolve the current conflict.
"I think the only real item that is going to be discussed is a two state solution -- a viable Palestinian state along Israel," Chazan said.
However, this view was criticized by some members of the audience.
"The solution you propose is a fantasy land," responded Wharton senior Ryan Emmer. "I propose a military solution, because I don't think the Palestinians understand anything else."
"If, God forbid, Israel crushes the Palestinian people, [Israel] will lose its raison d'ˆtre," Chazan said in defense.
Other members of the audience had positive comments about the event.
"I thought she was an amazing speaker -- very objective," said Wharton freshman Hania Dawood, who is half-Palestinian.
Chazan was a professor of Political Science and African Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem prior to her election to the Knesset in 1992.
"She is a very accomplished scholar in her own right," said School of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean Walter Licht, who is also a History professor.
The event was followed by a reception at Hillel, where Chazan continued the discussion with about 50 attendees.
The event was made possible by a grant from the Fund to Encourage Women of the Trustees' Council of Penn Women. The co-sponsors of the lecture were Hillel, the Jewish Studies Department, the Solomon Asch Center, the Political Science Program and PennPAC.
