Happy Summer!

I hope you’re all having fun in the sun (unless you live in Basingstoke, in which case, much like me, you’ll be confined inside waiting for the rain to stop).

I won’t keep you for long, just one quick question. Can someone please explain to me exactly how the new YUSU oganisation works. And by that I mean, exactly who does what?

(I’ve littered this piece with shameless plugs by the way. I’m fairly certain my colleagues aren’t going to appreciate it, but it’s my blog!)

Before you even start typing, Jason Rose, I’m not looking for directions to where I can read the constitution, nor am I looking for a quick copy and paste from the constitution. Surprisingly, the ability to read is not one that often escapes me.

No. What I want to know is who do I see for what? Obviously as Jim Bulley, News Editor, Nouse (as my email signature so confidently proclaims) I have a vaguely good idea who I should see for what, and if that doesn’t work I just whip out the old T Mobile G1 and give one of the others a ring.

The problem arises for people who don’t have the entire sabbatical team at their finger tips. Whilst it is true that we can all fire off emails, there’s nothing that really explains where we should be aiming them. I wouldn’t be surprised if YUSU haven’t got grand plans to explain this all to us next term, but what about the meantime?

As Chairman of Cheesy Pop Soc (plug1) I’m never quite sure who I should be talking to about what, and I need to sort stuff out before freshers week. It would make sense that I should be talking to Rhianna about most thing, but what about Freshers Fair? Is that a service.. I’m not sure.. better CC Lewis on any communication about that one, undoubtedly pissing him off. How about an event? Cheesy Pop Soc (plug2) is DJing the JCR at the Vanbrugh Freshers Event Planet Pop (plug3). Who do I turn to for advice? Rhianna right? But what if it’s financial.. Is that Lewis? What about Daniels & Ellis? Maybe they have something to add?

Cheesy Pop Soc (plug4), by the way, surpasses these problems. Treasurer Tom Flynn (plug5) (also GSA Treasurer) hardly has any trouble working out the finances and Secretary Laura Connor (plug6) (also Deputy News Editor, Nouse) can always track down the right person to ask. Similarly Ents Officers Kirsty Shepherd and Stephanie Smith (plug7) (stalwart Goodricke party animals) don’t have much trouble with events and Merchandise Officer Stephen O’Ryan (plug8) (Halifax Ents) knows his way around the system.

Sponsorship, Charlie Rowley (plug9) (former Conservative campaigns), P&P, Kate Taylor (plug10) (Vanbrugh Welfare) and Campaigns, Nick Scarlett (plug11) (Student Action Kids Club Coordinator) never have any problems either.

What about societies and sports teams with a less well known committee? Summer is a good time to get organised, but I bet very few people know who to ask what of. If YUSU officers are happy to get hundreds of emails that don’t apply to them, fair enough, otherwise, a bit of clarification would go a long way.

CPS‘s (plug12) final officer, by the way, is Alumni Officer Jamie Tyler (plug13). Jamie dedicated the last year to charity and student action in the Union. I know it’s late to bring this up, but I’m still not convinced that these are going to be given the attention that they deserve in this new system, a slight which seems unfair on Jamie considering his hard work..

My housemate Cat is a tree hugger. She’s an Environmental Geographer, a proper eco nut. Only 20 minutes ago she came into my room to transport a poor lost caterpillar onto the tree that thrusts itself through my window. She even likes spiders. Case in point.

There’s nothing wrong with being green. Admittedly I often can’t be bothered to follow it through (to get us to recycle this term Cat had to liberally poster the kitchen to the extent that we were forced to the green box), but that doesn’t mean that I have a problem with Environmental types. In fact, the thing that’s worrying me is that there doesn’t appear to be very many around.

I know that this University is as Green as the next, in fact I personally conducted an exit poll at the Euros which showed 24% of votes going to the Greens, as much as Labour and more than any other party. I’m sure that Freddy Vanson and his gang of activists are as big on Hemp as any other hippies, and yet these guys just aren’t pitching in on Environmental issues (nothing against Hippies by the way. I like Pink Floyd, Banksy and mud as much as the next guy).

Now don’t worry, dear eco-crazy reader, the University have not tarmacked Siward’s Howe whilst you weren’t looking, and neither have they culled the ducks (although I have my suspicions) or land filled the lake. The thing that worries me is that nobody is turning up for the politics behind the idealism.

Today’s UGM had a fantastically low turnout. It was more like a seminar than an important democratic process, with all 19 of us present having a jolly good time. Surplus Committee Member Jason Rose proposed two of the motions and even he didn’t bother pitching up until we were all thoroughly bored enough to welcome his presence. He was also carrying a lunchbox.

This UGM was all about the environment, and yet no-one gave a shit enough to turn up. Where was the bubbly woman in the bright cardigan ready to regale us with tales of how little Danny Ducky might strangle himself if we don’t be careful with our plastic bags? Where was the annoying group at the back to interrupt proceedings with an impressively bad rendition of “Ten green bottles, in the recycling bin”, complete with guitar accompaniment? This is what I wanted from a good dosing of EcoCrazy. As admirable as they maybe, the dulcet tones of Messrs Clarke and Rose don’t quite cut the organic ethnically sourced mustard.

Admittedly Cat was at a Halifax Gala Dinner, so we’ll let her off this one.

I don’t know whose fault this one is. Maybe Mr Shanks needs to communicate a bit more so that our hippies have the luxury of ruining YUSU’s serious political proceedings, or maybe York’s Team Green need to unite behind the impeccable leadership of David Clarke and Jade Flahive-Gilbert and realise that caring about the environment is more than a hemp sweater, some organic parsnips and a caterpillar out the window.

Thoughts?

Apparently there is a series of posters on the wall of the SU bar at UEA. These posters inform students exactly where every last penny they just forked out for a VK Apple is going to go. It shows them how much of the money will go to bar funds, how much will go the Union and where the Union will spend the money. Whether these posters actually exist or not (and I’m reliably informed they do), they seem like a bluddy good idea.

Whilst an accounts poster might seem pretty irrelevant as you crack into the £5 VK deal or try and take full advantage of ‘Quids Inn’, I would hope that a lot of students might be interested in the information as they sit in the sun with a Steamboat (£2.00 – where does it go?) at 2pm on a Sunday. Even if accounting isn’t your cup of tea (or pint of Fosters in this case) Sports might be and Welfare certainly should be, all these issues are raised in the accounts.

I’m sure that all the Union financial information is available to students. You probably just have to pop into YUSU towers and ask the nice Mr Burton and he’ll be happy to share. The problem is that I can’t think of a single student (that hasn’t run for the YUSU position themselves) that would bother to do that. That doesn’t mean that students don’t care about Union finances, it means they’re students, and therefore pretty lazy.

The Courtyard has been pretty impressively designed, and I’ve no doubt that YUSU would not be happy with some easy to understand, primary coloured posters ruining the decor. That said, the bar is the best place for this information because it’s where students are most likely to stop and read it, if only to provide a new topic of debate over a few pints of Strongbow (also £2.00 – where does it go?)

I’m not personally interested in scrutinising YUSU’s accounts, just like I’m not interested in wading through college accounts again, but that doesn’t mean that the information shouldn’t be available. All it takes is a nice colouful pie-chart, a quick explanation and everybody’s happy. Easy.

Whilst I doubt that this blog has raised any great political awareness, I know that a lot of you had a very keen sense of the injustice taking place in Israel/Palestine already. This is something which i obviously endeavor to encourage, and I thought I’d share some websites for anyone interested.

These websites were recommended to me by Angela Godfrey-Goldstein from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. She is a veritable fountain of knowledge on Israel/Palestine situation, something she has dedicated her life to, and I know that she would be grateful that I have shared these sources of information with you.

So, Angela recommends:

www.peacenow.org.il – Angela also particularly pointed out the articles and speeches section of the website, which contains some brilliant information and informed writing

www.ir-amim.org.il – particularly good for information about Jerusalem and the Jerusalem divide

www.ochaopt.org – the UN Occupied Palestinian Territories website. The maps on this website are undoubtedly the best available

www.arij.org – the website of the Applied research Institute. The ‘Eye on Palestine‘ section gives updates on new physical developments – e.g. new settlements being built, new checkpoints installed, new sections of wall being built etc

www.btselem.org – a human rights based information centre with regular updates, similar to Eye on Palestine but with a human rights basis

www.fmep.org – the foundation for Middle East Peace. The maps on this website are also particularly good

http://www.nad-plo.org/ – the Negotiations Affairs Department of the PLO.Great for information and quotes, as well as a database of Frequently Requested Documents

www.icahd.org – the website of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. Home of physical information and updates, maps and project information. Particularly useful with relation to house demolitions

A large number of those are .il Israeli websites. Please note that they are not all “leftist extremists” with “warped viewpoints”, most of them are Israeli citizens who disagree with the occupation and its methods.

Well, dear reader, our time together has so suddenly come to an end.

I hope that you have picked up something from this computerised jotting pad, I think that I have certainly gained some more insights personally from writing it.

Now I understand that the politics of the Middle East is difficult to comprehend, especially when you haven’t visited the places, and I hope that I have been able to explain some of what I understand from what I have seen. I have visited Israel a number of times, and i have gained a little more insight each time, although I would certainly not say that I am an expert, and my understanding is not perfect. That said, if anybody does have any questions for me do feel free to contact me anytime, and I will either try to respond myself, or more likely provide you with the email address of a relevant expert who has some idea what they’re talking about.

Right. Now that’s out the way let’s have a look at today. Unfortunately I have nothing really to report of today. No handy observations or bashful assumptions. Very strange indeed. Alas, dear reader, I seem to have picked up some sort of eastern cold (despite the relentless heat), so my observations today are largely based around the ceiling of my hotel room and a lounger by the pool. Not quite the political/social commentary that you’ve come to know and love.

One funny thing I did hear today, from a pensioner taking a dip in the Sea of Galilee (probably about 60), was; “ooh, it’s mingin!” From the mouths of babes and OAPs…

I’ve put some pictures of a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee up – http://tinyurl.com/p62juu – if you’re interested

Right, so I’ll write in a couple of days and give some websites you might be interested in.

For now though, thank you for joining me on this journey, and see you all soon. I’ll be back in my normal post and back as the Campus Bulley from Monday.

Adieu

WARNING: This blog entry will be political. Proceed with Caution

I am a liberal conservative. My dad was always a Labour supporter, my mum was always a Labour supporter. My brother has never shown much political interest but I suspect, if pushed, he would consider himself more Labour than Conservative. But I’m a Conservative.

Clare Short was, for a long time, a core member of the Labour Party. She may now be an independent but she surely retains similar opinions. As such I shouldn’t liker her. In fact I didn’t like her.

Until last Sunday, when I was made aware of a speech made by Clare last week. This speech has filled me with not just respect but almost reverence for the (now) great woman. The speech I am talking about is the introduction of a paper at the UN International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

I have now learnt that Clare has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policy for some time, in 2007 she called for boycotts against Israel like those against South Africa during apartheid. This had unfortunately evaded my notice, but her phrasing last week most certainly has not.

Clare’s paper must be available somewhere online – I can’t find it at the moment but I’ll let you know..
Meanwhile I have picked out some phrases which I think illustrate it brilliantly:
“this is an apartheid system more cruel that that imposed on South Africa”
“Palestinians are suffering terribly both within historical Palestine and as refugees outside”
“the Palestinians are hemmed and surrounded”
“Gaza is a prison which is the most densely occupied place on earth”

The list of phrases goes on and on. Whilst it seems bizarre to sit by the tranquil see of Galilee and write about oppression it is unfortunately the situation of this country. Clare’s words may be impressive and incredibly bold, but she has no great influence anymore. Whilst the Palestinian lobby here remain confident that Miliband is sympathetic, I am not convinced.

What remains clear is that at this time when international pressure is needed, and international pressures aren’t comfortable to act, Clare Short’s is a voice to listen to.

As I write I am sat by the Sea of Galilee, a swimming pool to my left and a warm breeze coming off the ’sea’.

Tiberias itself is both poetic and profane, biblical and brash. The largest town on the Sea of Galilee Tiberias is the centre of Christian pilgrimage to the region, but it is also a young town which is slightly reminiscent of the nicer parts of Kavos or Ibiza. Tiberias, therefore, is trying to be something it’s not. It’s forcing itself to look like a Mediterranean resort and ignoring it’s main tourist group; geriatrics visiting the base of Jesus’ ministry. Again this is a great example of Israeli politics, a country trying to be something it isn’t and ignoring the people this affects. Tiberias and it’s forgotten pilgrims is a metaphor for Israel and it’s forgotten (and shafted) Palestinians.

So Tiberias we now have some sort of image of. It’s a beautiful place, by the way. Cool breezes long beeches and a lovely sense of stillness. Especially after the harassment of Jerusalem.

The other thing which may interest you is the Kibbutz which I visited today. This particular Kibbutz (a Jewish community) was in the Jericho wilderness near the Dead Sea, and had some ancient scrolls worth seeing. Whilst there, however, I also heard the verbal spew masquerading as ‘history’ which was spewed at us by a young 25 year old Jewish hippy kibbutz dweller.

Whether by personal ignorance, self assertion or indoctrination it seemed to be the belief of this 25 year old speaker that before the kibbutz there had been no one in the area for 1500 years. He understood nothing of Palestinians, ignored their presence in the land for centuries and instead argued that the desert was empty after the Jews left.

The ignorance was palpable

Right. Something entertaining from today. Erm. The watch seems to be working again (I know you were all worried!) I bought a Lute yesterday, which is proving to be difficult to understand. Anybody who knows what a Lute should be tuned to the order of please do let me know!

Tomorrow to Nazareth to visit some sort of ancient historical reenactment place.

Sleep well.

Good evening dear reader,

I’m sure the vast readership that this blog commands was worried about my absence yesterday evening. I unfortunately fell asleep in the early after noon and was as such incapacitated from writing to you all as usual. This does mean that we’ve got twice as much to cover.

Before we start, I am reliably informed that I have picked up some welsh readership (you know who you are). I hope the following makes sense: na arwydda chan ‘r chriba ai toothbrush fel eto!

So tomorrow morning I will be traveling to Tiberias in the north, the next part of the fun-filled journey that we’re all enjoying! The title, by the way, is in Arabic, meaning “Let’s Go Tiberias.”

So yesterday I visited the Al Shurooq School for the Blind in Beit Jala. It was really quite sad, I’m not entirely sure I can convey it in so few words, but imagine a school full of young blind Palestinian children, many of them with mental issues as well. On my flickr page – http://tinyurl.com/ord4bh – there are some pictures of a young Palestinian child who both lost his sight, and his grasp on reality after his family were stopped at a checkpoint as they tried to rush him to hospital with meningitis. This story not only represents the sadness and tragedy of the school, but also the disaster and danger of the Israeli checkpoints.

Yesterday also meant lots of pictures of the wall in Beit Lehem (Bethlehem. Meaning house of bread or house of meat), as well as a few ‘covert’ pictures of a checkpoint that we got stopped and turned away from. These images will be going up on Flickr as soon as I have time to look at them.

Today I had a couple of interviews with Angela Godfrey-Goldstein and Michael (Mikado) Warschawski. I talked with Angela mainly about the wall, settlements and maps, an article on this info will undoubtedly follow soon. Michael was something of an inspiration. Military prison 3 times, prison once, interrogated by the head of the secret police and founder of 2 different organisations and a political party. Michael had an incredible story and his political observations were brilliant. He believes that colonialism is the root of it all. An article on him will follow as soon as I can get my head around it.

On the Saga of the Lax Pari, yesterday the screen smashed, the back exploded and the digital section stopped working. Excitingly I was able to repair the back and remove the fickle second hand at the same time, bringing the analog section back into play. Today, however, the analog section seems to be varying between fast and slow at a whim. Time, it seems, is no longer of the essence!

I hope you’ve enjoyed Jerusalem, do check out the pictures – http://tinyurl.com/ord4bh – I’m sorry they’re a bit arty, it’s sort of my thing. Normal ones will go up when I get around to it.

See you in Tiberias!

Ladies & Gentlemen; firstly I would like to apologise for my very slothfully written blog post last night. As you may have been able to tell I was really rather tired, and the verbal diarrhoea which I flung at you really wasn’t my best work.

Secondly I would like to point out how impressive it is that you are still reading this blog, considering the phenomenal Roses coverage which I have spent the last half an hour catching up on.

Right, so on to today. Today was a day of two parts; firstly the harrowing and tiring experience of Masada, an ancient fortress in the mountains by the dead sea, and secondly the relaxing peace and calm of a dead sea spa and the swimming pool that accompanies it.

Masada has an amazing story to it, which, frankly, I can’t be bothered to transcribe here. It is quite interesting and if you are interested in hearing the exciting story of the unconquerable fortress which was conquered, do check out the wikipedia.

The dead sea really is a bizarre place. I’ve personally been in the sea before, but I was persuaded to go in again this time. To me bathing in the sea seem remarkably reminiscent of wallowing, as tourists young and old float around, idly bumping into each other and proclaiming that they’ve finally completed one of their life’s aims. Lovely.

Politically I have nothing of interest to report today, except to pass on that Captain Benjamin Rutland, having felt that my interview schedule was too left wing, is trying to persuade me to arrange a meeting with some more right wing Jewish commentators. Top of the list at the moment is Dr. Jonathan Spyer.

Instead of unfunny t-shirts or amusing overheard comments, today I feel like I should share with you the Saga of the Lax Pari Watch. The Lax Pari watch is a watch which I bought in the Souq (the arab market) for 50NIS (roughly £10). I needed a watch for the fortnight as I had left mine at home and I was more than happy to fork out the £10 for this one, especially as the guy originally wanted 350NIS (roughly £70). This complacency was probably my first mistake.
The watch has both a digital and analog interface, and the day after I bought it the second hand fell off and the light stopped working. This is when thing truly began to unwind. The second hand has managed to jam itself between the minute and hour hand, halting the analog watch completely.
The digital part of the watch is 5 minutes slow, and the alarm seems to go off at will. The buttons no longer work and the strap likes to break off. It may not have been the bargain I originally thought.

Right, I’m going to get a drink. Sportsmen, good luck. Bloggers, good luck. Everyone else, get supporting!

Hey guys & girls,

So unfortunately for your lovely selves this is only going to be a very short one from me today, it’s nearly midnight and I’ve been writing up an interview for some 3 hours, so bed is calling.

So. Today is probably a day some of you are actually interested in.

This morning I met with Captain Rutland of the Israeli Defence Force. A very lucky man who is in charge of soldiers who are mainly attractive young woman. The Captain was very nice and very friendly. This of course is his job, but fear not dear reader, I was not sucked in by his witty puns, amusing one liners and attractive staff. Not at all. We discussed tactics, Gaza, national service, the wall, world opinion and the media. Do check out a copy of the interview in Nouse in print on Tuesday, or on the web Tuesday evening. It is rather Israeli one-sided though. Not much of a spin you can put on an interview with an Israeli Captain.

In the early afternoon I went for another extensive wonder through the Souq, Jerusalem’s large arab market. I love the souq and I though today I’d pass on a couple of funny t-shirts I saw (I didn’t here anything funny today, so this is the replacement):
Israeli Defence Force: It’s so secret even I don’t know what’s going on
Israeli Defence Force: Uzzziiii Does It

ok. so not that funny.

This evening I met with Shir Hever a leading economist from the Alternative Information Centre. An incredibly intelligent and genuinely really nice guy. My pitiful understanding of economics meant that Shir spent quite a while takine me through the Middle East’s military history before we looked at the current issues. I did learn a lot from Shir, and it’s written down upstairs, but I can’t go into it now because I need to go to bed. He raised some fascinating points and picked holes in a lot of what Rutland said. The interview will follow, I’ll keep you informed.

Right. I’m going to bed now. You kid’s have fun.
(sorry for any typos/ spelling mistakes. my eyes are slowly giving up)