Interview Questions for Gershon Baskin
Where are you from and how did you get involved in the peace work that you are doing now?
How did you get involved in peace work, why was it so important to you?
What did you hear from the Palestinians you spoke with during the first intifada that surprised you?
What do you mean by "you put too much emphasis on institutionalization?"
Was that problematic for the Palestinians to meet with Israeli government representatives?
Were you involved in some of those negotiation sessions at the governmental level?
What were some of your strategies at the beginning, for, as you said, “reaching the Center?”
What was difficult at first about working with your Palestinian partner?
What did you do in order to learn to share power more effectively or more fairly?
Can you give me an overview of the programs here?
Where do the people who will participate in the policy conference come from?
What do you hope to accomplish?
I have a question about the textbook study. Where is that—who’s using it?
On what issues have you succeeded in "getting the ear of the Prime Minister?"
What are some of the challenges that you face?
Do you have strategies for keeping yourself motivated and allowing yourself some rest?
How has the conflict affected your life personally?
What do you think of that decision your daughter’s decision to refuse military service?
What are other ways the conflict has affected your life?
Have you seen small successes along the way?
What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about the conflict?
Do you see anything happening on the ground now that makes you think that makes you optimistic?
Have you ever had any doubts amidst all of this about the effectiveness of your work?
Where do you see yourself and your work in relation to restarting a peace process?
How does the construction of the wall affect your work, and prospects for joint ventures?
In the big picture do you see anything that makes you optimistic right now?
