What they are attempting to do is showcase the diversity in the planet, to be able to show to any person how others live, unedited and unscripted. Not only will it be available during the installation, but the content will be online, as a sort of collaborative online video encyclopedia of human experiences.

They are also looking for video makers in Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, exhibition hosts who could show the  20-meter diameter exhibit, translators and funders. More information can be found at their website. So far they have shot a pilot with a US cable car driver in San Francisco and a Brazilian musician/city permit inspector, as well as a shoot in Malawi and another in Japan.

Subsequently, the channel has remained largely unavailable in the United States. In order to access the channel from most places within the country, Americans must pay upwards of $45 per month in addition to their usual subscription fee (on the DishTV network) - prohibitively expensive for many.

Recently, however, Burlington Telecom, owned by the small city of Burlington, Vermont (population 39,000), decided to carry Al Jazeera English, sparking debate amongst its residents and leading some groups to protest for its removal. Bloggers in the city and around the world jumped on the story. KABOBfest's Will (Palestine/US) explains the debate and concludes:

As we approach the end of the Bush presidency, it should be apparent to everyone that the the old thinking of “us good, them bad” is failing and having destructive repercussions. It is time Americans engage the world and expose themselves to voices beyond our borders. Al-Jazeera, English represents just that. Burlington, VT is exceptionally progressive, but these questions should be raised in every community around the country — most of which do not have televised access to Al-Jazeera, English.

Hanaan, also from KABOBfest, introduces a video (from Al Jazeera English itself) on the story, saying:

Despite its reputation for open-mindedness, there are more than a few idiots in Burlington, with the Israel Center of Vermont and the Defenders Council of Vermont leading the way:

From Burlington itself, two letter-writers are quoted in the Burlington Free Press‘ blog section. The first, Scott Baker, argues that to drop Al Jazeera from Burlington Telecom would amount to censorship:

Part of the very problem in relations between the U.S. and the Middle East is that their citizens don’t know enough about each other. Our relationship is defined by government policies, not open communication and understanding of different perspectives. Yes, Al Jazeera discusses Al Qaeda, because it’s a very real issue on its home turf. Yet, if you read and listen extensively, most Arabs and Muslims are just as angry at Al Qaeda as most Americans are.

In the same post Steve Flemer argues against Burlington Telecom's choice to host Al Jazeera English:

…It would seem to me that this fledgling city-owned outfit, already struggling with customer subscriptions far below expectations, would want to provide a varied cable menu without having to feel like they needed to make potentially self-harming political statements.

A comment on the website of Seven Days, a popular local newspaper, sums up the sentiments best, saying:

Forget conservatives versus liberals - the real debate over Al Jazeera in Burlington and elsewhere is increasingly turning into a debate between those who have watched the channel and those who have not. Those who have watched Al Jazeera on air will benefit from its strong global perspective on international news and affairs. On the flipside, most of the sections of society insisting Al Jazeera be dropped have never even watched it. Even when sets aside the fact that one group should not be allowed to impose itself on the other, the question of whose views are more credible is easy to answer.

The victim, whose name has not been revealed at his family's request, was in his early 30s and had been a border guard for eight years after his release from the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Druze community.

The incident followed a three-day visit of President Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, to Israel. While in-country, Sarkozy spoke before the Knesset, Israel's house of parliament, where he rallied against the building of settlements, advocated an undivided Jerusalem as a capital for both Israel and Palestine, and reasserted France's commitment to protecting Israel's security.

Photo sourced from the Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons License)

During his visit, Sarkozy also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and toured the West Bank, after having met with Arab leaders in Syria and Lebanon earlier this week.

Words from the Blogosphere–

Daniel Levy of the Prospects for Peace blog and Director of the Prospects for Peace Initiative at The Century Foundation compares the Knesset speeches of French President Sarkozy and US President George W. Bush, during his visit last month.

“Two Presidents, two speeches, one leader:
- President Bush on the borders for a 2 state solution: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “It is not possible to have peace without a negotiated border based on the 1967 lines with an exchange of territories.”
- President Bush on settlements: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without a total and immediate cessation of the settlements.”
- President Bush on Jerusalem's future status: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and guaranteeing freedom of access to holy sites for all religions.”
- President Bush on the Palestinian refugee issue: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without solving the problem of the Palestinian refugees, while respecting the identity and purpose of Israel.”
- President Bush on Israeli-Palestinian, Israeli-Syrian, or Israeli-Lebanese peace talks: _________.
- President Sarkozy: “(France) is ready to organize on its soil all the talks that could lead to (peace), whether in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Syrian-Israeli dialogue, or the talks that will have to resume, one day soon I hope, between Israel and Lebanon.”

Other bloggers were less concerned with the political content of Sarkozy's visit and focused more on the visuals that it presented. Carla Bruni, the President's third wife who works professionally as a singer and model, drew significant attention from the ever appreciative citizen journalists of Israel.

Simply Jews observes:

“Carla Bruni appears to be accompanied by a French president, one Nicolas Sarkozy… The immediate effects of this singular event:
1. The quantities of drool emanating from the paparazzi, journalists, assorted officials and Israeli male population in general postponed the expected government announcement of drought and drastic water economy measures.
2. The attack on Iranian nuclear sites, invasion of Gaza, decapitation of Hezbollah and other miscellaneous acts of usual Zionist aggression are delayed indefinitely or until further notice.
3. Shimon Peres was seen doing 90 push-ups in the VIP lounge of Ben-Gurion airport, with Carla and their aids counting, Dom Perignon being uncorked in the background.”

Dion Nissenbaum of the Checkpoint Jerusalem blog joins Simply Jews in welcoming Ms. Bruni's arrival.

“Carla Mania has come to Israel. After charming the Brits in March and winning fawning praise from President Bush earlier this month, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the accomplished singer and successful model who is sometimes referred to as France's first lady, has brought her allure to Jerusalem. One French magazine has dubbed her “La Presidente.”

Her husband, President What's-His-Name, is doing his best to make some news of his own.”

Israelity Bites comments darkly on Ms. Bruni's role in the shooting.

“Some jested that the security guard lost his footing while straining to see Madame Carla, the French first lady, who has had a Jackie Kennedy dazzle on the populace at large. Israel Radio said the soldier who was shot was stationed 100 meters to 200 meters away. Two women soldiers who witnessed the shooting were treated for shock, the radio said.

Israel's volunteer medical service Zaka said the soldier apparently committed suicide. But other media reports said he may have fainted from the heat, discharging his gun accidentally.”

Read More About Recent Visits to Israel by Heads of State–

• Going Green with Gore (May 2008)
• Bush's Final Presidential Visit (May 2008)
• What's Carter Doing in the Middle East? (April 2008)
• President Bush Visits Israel (January 2008)

And:

• Lebanon: Condoleeza Rice's Surprise Visit (June 2008)

Yuval Diskin, the director of Shin Bet, Israel's secret service, reported a marked increase in arms smuggled from Sinai, Egypt, during the first 72 hours of the ceasefire. He called the truce “a first-class strategic blunder.”

Bloggers React to Ruptured Agreement–

In an entry entitled, “Goodbye Fake Truce,” political blogger Carl in Jerusalem of the Israel Matzav blog writes:

“That didn't take long, did it now?.. Well, was nice while it lasted.”

Carl also reports on the Israel Defense Force's new ruling that prohibits soldiers from firing on those carrying arms unless there is proof that they intend to shoot.

He likewise echoes Diskin's findings on the smuggling of arms from Sinai, remarking that all southern crossings have been closed but for the Erez's pedestrian crossing on the Israeli-Egyptian border.

“The fact that Israel has apparently agreed to tie its hands behind its back and not respond to terror attacks is also astounding. Surely no one can actually believe that the Egyptians are going to risk their troops to enforce the ‘truce' anymore than Hamas would risk theirs. The level of Egyptian inactivity in stopping weapons smuggling to this point ought to make it completely clear that Egypt is not willing to do what must be done.”

In the group blog This is Israel, the author, A Soldier's Mother, reflects:

“The ceasefire that began last Thursday - the one that meant the two sides were not supposed to be firing at each other…was broken last night when Palestinians fired a mortar at Israel, and again today when four rockets were launched against Israel. And, since this blog is presenting Israel and how Israelis think, I have to be honest and tell you that the only thing that might surprise Israelis…is that it lasted this long. Sad, truly sad…but true.”

Aussie Dave, whose Israellycool blog expertly analyzes international media reactions to the news in Israel, comments:

“Now the thing about a ceasefire is that it comprises of two parts - “cease” and “fire”. Clearly, the terrorists are focusing on the “fire” part, while ignoring the whole “cease” thing.

And speaking of focus, the AP’s [Associated Press] is still on painting Israel as the villain. Here’s their headline for the story on today’s Qassam attacks: “Rockets hit Israel, which says truce broken.”

As if the firing of rockets into Israel does not really constitute a breaking of the truce; rather, it is merely an Israeli claim.”

In an entry entitled, “Not Rocket Science,” the usually mild manner Lirun of East Med Sea Peace, a resident of Tel Aviv who enjoys music, surfing, and photography, posts:

“sorry but i have no other way to put it.. a pack of liars..

u sweep up gaza and terrorise your own people.. you control every single inch of that land.. and now you broker a deal for a cease-fire with us yet continue to dig tunnels to bring in weapons and tell us you wont be our policeforce as islamic jihad now do your dirty work?

what is it.. either you control gaza and run the strip or you dont! and if you do then do what you promised and if you dont then dont pretend to represent the people in negotiations and forget telling the world how you are a legitimate government! this is insanity.. it cant be both way..

this is the heart of our stalemate and hamas has just corroded our ability to reach peace with gaza that one extra mile..

i call on the palestinian people to wake up to this farce.. interesting to watch what their split may achieve..”

New Studies Reveal Strong Desire for Arab-Jewish Coexistence Inside Israel–

To add perspective to the situation inside Israel, Israel Matzav and East Med Sea Peace both cite the newly released study by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, which found the following:

• 77% of Israeli Arabs would rather live in Israel than anywhere else in the world
• 68% of Israeli Jews support the teaching of Arabic language in schools to forward communication and coexistence efforts
• 73% of Jews and 94% of Arabs want Israel to “be a society in which Arab and Jewish citizens have mutual respect and equal opportunities”

Harvard's survey supports the results of the University of Haifa's February 2008 findings that:

• 75% of Israeli Arabs aged 16 to 22 support voluntary national service, although few people are familiar with it as an option
• Upon learning more about national service, 72% of men and 83% of women in the Israeli Arab sector would consider participating in it
• 80% of the members of Arab political parties oppose national service

(Read the article if you have time. Its assessment of the multi-faceted nature of Israeli Arab society is a must-read for those who strive to be well educated about Israel and the Middle East.)

Articles of Interest–

• Iranian Grad Missiles Hit Ashkelon Mall (May 2008)
• Ashkelon is on the Map (February 2008)
• Cyber-Activists Promote Sderot (February 2008)
• One Wall Down: A New Reality in the Middle East (February 2008)
• Israeli Bloggers React to Crisis in Palestine (January 2008)
• Rockets Hit Sderot: Flame the Israeli Blogosphere (December 2007)

And:

• Palestine: 60 Years of Al Nakba (May 2008)
• Morocco, Israel, and Palestine: A Unique History (May 2008)
• Syria: Bloggers React to Gaza Blockade (January 2008)