"Sunny Days in Israel": A Message to Roger Cohen

Roger Cohen is finally visiting Israel, and today, in a New York Times op-ed entitled "Sunny Days in Israel", he regales us with his conversation with an Israeli army officer at a Tel Aviv café.

Over a year ago, I briefly corresponded with Cohen and suggested that if he ever were to come to Israel, I would like to arrange several visits for him at places that might be of interest. Not surprisingly, I did not hear from Cohen prior to his recent arrival here. Nevertheless, my suggestion to Roger:

Instead of sitting at a café in Tel Aviv, on Saturday take a 50-minute drive to the north to the busy Gan Shmuel shopping center outside of Hadera. Drink your coffee there and watch the shoppers and salespersons swirl around you. Then tell your readership:

• whether you are able to distinguish between the Jewish and Arab shoppers and salespersons;

• whether you sense any tension or anger in the air;

• whether you witness any discrimination;

• whether you see any evidence of separation or segregation.

You need someone to drive you? I'll take you. Important? Absolutely. If peace is to come to the region, perhaps it will come from the understanding, interaction and coexistence of ordinary people.