August 23, 2010
The meeting was called to order by club President Carlton Nielsen. Susie Smelser gave the pledge and Ron Pierre led the invocation after he said Mike Moreland was recovering and reminded us to continue prayers for Mike.
Our new exchange student Gabriel Umidon from Milan, Italy attended his second Eureka Rotary meeting, and Eric Bergel introduced Charlotte Plancquaert our former exchange student from France.
Visiting Rotarians
John Bartholomew introduced Cindy Denbo, Heidi Benzonelli, and John Dalby, all of the Southwest Rotary Club of Eureka.
Guests of Rotarians
Kim Bauriedel had his wife Sile at his side. Virginia Bass introduced her son, Jason Wattle, a “Major” in United States Marine Corp. (well he’s actually a Sergeant, but Mom gave him a promotion). Jason took a few minutes to tell us about his deployments, but asked this reporter to say nothing about his particular assignments. He was welcomed warmly and received a standing ovation for his service to our country.
Greg Williston brought Arnie Henskovic and John Macbeth’s guest was Dale Marmouth.
(There were a few others and I apologize for missing the names. DJP)
Program
Tom McMurray introduced Gideon Lustig, Israeli Consul General to the Pacific Northwest.
Prior to serving as a diplomat, Mr. Lustig served as an officer in the Israeli defense forces, rising to the rank of major. He was his wife to be’s commanding officer at the time, and they get along better now. Gideon articulated the Israeli position regarding relations between Israel and its neighbors. He approves the prospect of peace talks soon to begin. What took so long? Palestinians refused to talk unless Israel promised to stop building on the West Bank. This was not an easy request for Israel, but recently, the Israeli government promised an eight-month moratorium on building in the West Bank. Palestine also wanted Israel to stop building in Jerusalem. Israel said, “No” to this request. But outside pressures have led to the table. Both sides are very skeptical that the talks will be productive, perhaps because of the leadership of Presidents Netanyahu of Israel and Abbas of Palestine. There is distrust on both sides.
Israel is small, easily fitting within California between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is a narrow-wasted land from east to West, sandwiched between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Since its founding in 1947 Israel is composed of many Jewish refugees mostly from Europe, but also from neighboring Arab countries.
In the 1967 War Israel conquered both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank: respectively belonging to Egypt and Jordan. When those territories were conquered none of the Arab countries would grant them citizenship except Jordan and Israel. Israel wants recognition as a Jewish Homeland and shuns the idea of allowing the West Bank to become a second Palestinian country next to Jordan.
Gaza was given to the Palestinian Authority in 2005 but neither the Palestinian Authority, nor the Hamas government has treated the Palestinians well. Mr. Lustig reminded us that since the Gaza Strip was given back to Palestinians in 2005 over 10,000 missiles have been launched into Israel from Gaza.
Mr. Lustig says Iran desires to be the hegemonic country of the Middle East, having stated its intention to wipe Israel off the map. Iran hopes to extend its influence through its military and the acquisition of a nuclear weapon. Iran poses a threat not only to Israel but also to other countries within the Middle East. Therefore a nuclear threat issuing from Iran would make many of the neighboring Arab countries feel threatened because they are Sunni rather than Shiite. Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon also poses a threat to Israel and peace in the Middle East.
Mr. Lustig concluded with two points:
1. There is a bigger picture than just Israel. The radical camp of Islam is headed by Iran and Syria and the more moderate camp centers around Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These factions will likely be fighting for control of the Middle East for a long time.
2. Israel must side with the moderate Islamic nations and seek peace.
During the question and answer time Gideon said that over 100,000 Israelis have died in their various wars since being founded in 1948 and he hopes for a day when Israel will not have to have an army.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Price
Photography: Ron Schoenherr
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