”I Contain Multitudes”

Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself (I am large, I contain multitudes). - Walt Whitman

Ronnie chose Whitman's line because it captures the fragmentation, history, complexity, and contradiction - not of humanity in general - but specifically as the best one line explanation for that tiny slice of land containing the state of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. As Ronnie says in this talk, "If ever a section of earth’s geography contained contradicting multitudes - peoples, religions, opinions, atrocities, beauty, bloodshed, glory - it is this piece of the world." In a departure from his regular talks, Ronnie takes a deep dive into Israeli and Palestinian history and the implications for today.

A direct note from Ronnie: This is the longest talk I have given in probably 15 years - not that it is an hour-long diatribe - it's just north of 35 minutes. But I've always tried to get to the point as efficiently as possible, and leave the receiving, thinking, and mulling over to the listener. I maintain that same efficiency here I hope, but this is a subject matter that required those few extra 12 to 15 minutes. Thanks for listening. RM