We meet Dr. August Hanning from the Ministry of Interior (In Bertelsmann’s Berlin residence). Although he is an expert for internal German security question (he was formerly the coordinator of all of Germany’s intelligence services at the German chancellery – a very important man), we find ourselves once more talking about Iran, its nuclear program and what to do about it.
Hanning answers openly and off the record to our pressing concern, and speaks about a variety of internal security matters. However, there are several important issues for the German government, as we learn from his talk. Like we said, the meeting is off the record mostly. (So we cannot go into detail too much) - though it was very interesting to see the wide spectrum of problems that Hanning has to keep on his radar. (Such as: No, we won’t get into that!!)
Questions that loom: Why are the Germans so seemingly unconcerned with the situation in Iran? How come, the Israelis get the impression that they are not getting the support they need from their friends in Berlin? One answer: The perception of the topic is very different but at the same time cohesive inside both countries.
After a very interesting tour of the Bertelsmann building (cheers for big TVs and news of Zippi Livni’s election victory on it) we sit down to discuss. We feel like talking about ourselves and the group dynamics from the night before.
Half of the debate last night was about this question: Should the Israelis behave like official envoys of their country OR speak freely as individual personalities inside the group.
Interestingly enough, the debate affected all of us and raised questions about the culture of criticizing each other (group- and country-wise) and the way, this group wants to develop itself in the remaining time.
There is also the question put forward whether the Germans are involved and open enough in some discussions (the German part of this blogger team didn’t experience it like that).
Finally the group is split into smaller groups who get to talk in a more intimate way. Most of the groups come out with similar suggestions, also regarding the December part of the program which will take place in Israel.
Everybody thinks we need more time to digest what is going on. There are group dynamics that have their natural ups and downs (the biggest up being what we experienced after visiting the Holocaust Memorial).
Also we need more time to reflect on the new information that we get from the panels and lectures that Bertelsmann Stiftung has arranged for us.
The bottom line: We want to “rub shoulders” (this is one of the first things we did at Kloster Irsee as a group to break the distance between us and to feel more comfortable with each other, we haven’t done that for a while) more often, both on a cognitive and an emotional level.
Last but not least, we need to mention the very insightful meeting with three young German authors, who spoke about the experience and challenge to be German in a foreign country. “The German gets off the plane and is already an ‘expert’ in the local customs.” The Israeli part of this blogger team was surprised to learn, that this is supposed to be a German characteristic – when it is fully and clearly Israeli!!
(Keren and Christian, with substantial help from Amir)
Soon in this blog: A very funny text that Jakob Hein, a renowned German author (and he is also a psychiatrist), wrote for the meeting with us.
Being relaxed always helps keeping the balance.
