Politicization of Israel

[Mutanatia]

(LINK www.npr.org/2012/08/31/160346085/israel-finds-itself-a-partisan-election-issue-in-u-s )

Welcome to week #4 of NPR’s World Story of the Day from NPR This is also our 14th week. This unit, we’ll hear about various stories from across the world. This unit also has a heavy emphasis on the Middle East. September and August were ripe times for international news. This marks the beginning of a spotlight on two other Middle-Eastern countries: Israel and Afghanistan.


This lesson comes from August 31st, 2012. The central issue behind this one is: What if you’re a nation being used as a political issue, much like Israel has been used? Is it a good thing for your nation, or, is it a bad thing?

Here are the discussion questions:
1) Why is this election “different” in terms of Israel’s role in the election?
2) Why is the “politicization” of Israel a bad thing in the eyes of the speaker in the article?
3) According to the other speaker, why is the politicization of Israel a good thing?


Homework:
1) If your country was politicized, would this be a good thing or bad thing for your country?

[TomJeffia]

I think an important starting point is to determine who is being used. The mere question immediately places Israel in a perceived place of weakness. It also might point towards arrogance on the behalf of the United States in that they can actually use another country as a pawn in their political process. I think both parties are mutually benefiting from the others needs. The real question might be who is using who?