Hillel President Justin Epner '08 introduced Green to the crowd as a self-described "radical-moderate." Epner invited Green to speak at the College after having heard him give a similarly framed lecture a year ago. "[Green] is able to explain the key points [of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict] in an easy-to-understand and depoliticized manner," explained Epner.
Green began his talk by telling a personal anecdote about his flight to Bradley International Airport, recalling the uninhibited frustration a fellow passenger expressed after being told that he had to be inspected for the sake of security. While Green recognizes the inconveniences security inspections impose, he believes that people should look at these small delays in the context of the larger need for safety. Green used this example as an analogy for the constant security delays and measures in place in Israel and Palestine today: They are not meant to violate human rights, rather they are supposed to guarantee the safety of the larger population.
While some believe that Israel is the grossest violator of human rights, Green explained that Israel is, in fact, a "champion of human rights," always intent on balancing the civil liberties of all people with its need to ensure security. Green said that Israel's bulldozing of the houses of suicide bombers' families is a lenient response to such egregious crimes. The inconveniences that the security barrier between Israel and Palestine cause are unfortunate, but vital to the safety of Israel's civilians. If Israel did not care about Palestinian rights, there would be much fewer checkpoints, explained Green.
Green added that free speech has been a hallmark of Israeli society since its founding and that right continues to be applied to all people. Israel is also a great advocate of democracy in a region where open society is all too foreign. Palestinians should embrace free society, not a society of fear like that they have come to know under the leadership of first Yassir Arafat and now Hamas, said Green.
The American-born Green is a senior advisor to Natan Sharansky, the Israeli minister, celebrated Zionist, human rights activist and Refusenik who spent almost 10 years incarcerated in Russian prisons after being convicted of treason and spying on behalf of the United States. Sharanksy also published "Fear No Evil," his personal memoirs, and is the co-author of "The Case for Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror," a book that argues that freedom is the linchpin of security. This book has been very influential in framing U.S. President George W. Bush's foreign policy philosophy. Green's ideology is almost interchangeable with that of his mentor Sharanksy. Chris Pochon '07, who attended the lecture, explained, "If you like Natan Sharansky, you'd love Aryeh Green."
In his discussion, Green emphasized the importance of continuing to encourage democracy and free and open society in the Palestinian state. When asked his opinion of Israel's ignoring of Hamas, the Palestinians' elected leadership party, Green said he believes Israel has a right not to do business with any government that advocates Israel's demise and refuses to denounce terror. He explained that simply having an election does not make a society democratic. Elections are symptomatic of a democracy, but do not make a nation democratic; a culture of freedom is what's needed.
Susannah Luft '08 said her favorite part of Green's talk was his concluding message that the best thing for both peoples would be the best thing for the "other" side. "I thought it was very interesting that he said in being pro-Israel you have to be pro-Palestinian as well," explained Luft. She characterized this belief as "a very open-minded view." "It was insightful that he was simply pro-human, instead of taking sides," she added. Green believes that there will be peace when the Palestinians have their own free democratic state-it is Israel's job to advocate its creation and the Palestinian's responsibility to embrace the principles of democracy.
Pochon said that the topics Green covered and his viewpoints were fascinating "especially after the fallout of the Lebanon War." Luft heralded Green as a "really engaging and fluent" speaker.
Amherst College Religious Advisor and Hillel Director Rabbi Bruce Bromberg Seltzer said, "The talk was quite interesting-both in terms of its content and Aryeh's presentation. I found the explanation of the importance of human rights to be a useful frame for examining the conflict. His style was clear, direct and engaging."