Letter: North Dakota and Israel have more in common than you might think

There’s all the time a hazard when notion turns into actuality. We develop into fixated on a story which will have a component of the reality however falls means wanting telling the total story.

That’s one thing I thought of after I visited Israel this summer season as a part of a delegation of state lawmakers.

I had by no means been to Israel, although it had lengthy been a supply of fascination. What I knew about it got here largely from media studies concerning the Israeli-Palestinian battle and portrayals of a nation beneath a continuing state of siege.

Because it turned out, what I believed I knew and what I really realized whereas in Israel had been fairly completely different. I visited as a part of Venture Interchange, an institute of the American Jewish Committee, which brings individuals like me to be taught the truth about life in Israel.

Although the journey there was an extended one—I spent the higher a part of a day and evening flying to Israel—it’s one which I can’t suggest sufficient to different North Dakotans, no matter their religion.

Israel is a wealthy and complex mosaic. Whereas Israel could formally be a Jewish state, it’s one that’s surprisingly various. The Jews who name Israel residence hail from each nook of the globe and greater than 20% of the inhabitants is Arab, each Arab Christians and Arab Muslims. Regardless of the vicious rhetoric from anti-Israel activists and politicians right here and overseas who name Israel an apartheid state, it was simple to see why you shouldn’t consider every part you learn.

What I realized is Arab residents in Israel take pleasure in the identical rights and tasks as their Jewish counterparts. There are numerous cases of Arabs and Jews dwelling facet by facet in peace, as enterprise companions, neighbors and pals. Arab political events are an important a part of the governing coalition, and there may be an Arab Muslim on Israel’s Supreme Courtroom. In different phrases, not apartheid.

In fact, relations between Israelis and their Palestinian neighbors within the West Financial institution and Gaza are difficult at finest. In talking with officers in Israel and the West Financial institution, it was clear there are not any simple options or fast fixes. That doesn’t imply there isn’t hope.

There are these on either side of the border quietly forging a brand new established order. Partnerships in manufacturing and well being care are rising. As they need to. Israel has changed into an financial powerhouse within the Center East, as a pacesetter in expertise, medication, renewable vitality and agriculture.

That’s proper, agriculture. Though Israel has develop into often called a start-up nation due to its management in high-tech and safety, practically 30% of the land is dedicated to farming. That in itself is nothing wanting outstanding, given how a lot of the land is, or was, desert.

That acquired my consideration, on condition that 89% of North Dakota land is agricultural. We perceive farming, however there are all the time alternatives to be taught extra. To make certain, Israel can be fertile floor for North Dakota State College to discover educational partnerships with a few of Israel’s high analysis universities, together with Tel Aviv College and Technion in Haifa.

Alternatives for our college students to check in Israel would undoubtedly reap dividends, and I urge NDSU to discover trade alternatives for its college students and researchers. Conversely, we must also welcome Israelis to Fargo. Each cohorts can be visiting very completely different locations from what they know, however that’s the purpose, to leverage our commonalities and be taught from our variations. I additionally suspect we’d have the Israelis rooting for the Bison very quickly.

Shannon Roers Jones represents Fargo’s District 46 within the North Dakota Home of Representatives.

This letter doesn’t essentially replicate the opinion of The Discussion board’s editorial board nor Discussion board possession.