ISRAEL AND GAZA: A Year and A Half Later

Our speaker Ernest Norrman will go over briefly the most important milestones, major issues, and key players in the creation of the State of Israel; how decisions at high levels in the early years almost guaranteed perpetual conflict; parallels between the colonization of Palestine and the colonization of the Western Hemisphere (especially the United States); and touch on questions such as: While governments have the right and the duty to protect their citizens, when does appropriate response become excessive revenge? Does one society have the right to completely destroy another because they might be a threat in the future? What role should the United States play in mitigating this crisis? When do forced re-locations become ethnic cleansing? When does ethnic cleaning become genocide? What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter? Where does this substantial recent increase in anti Semitism really come from? What are some of the other problems caused by this conflict? What is Benjamin Netanyahu trying to accomplish? How will this end?

Ernest Norrman:

Born, lived in, attended school in Williams Bay, WI (on Lake Geneva). Attended high school in Switzerland. Attended Coe College, Cedar Rapids IA, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; and University of Chicago, and took misc courses at Northwestern and DePaul. US Army, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo, Ft. Jay (Governors Island), NY, Ft. Gordon, GA, and Phu Bai, Vietnam. Resident of Chicago most of his adult life.

Worked in sales and marketing; software development, installation, and support; turnkey minicomputer systems; general and tax accounting; and small business development; owned and operated several small businesses.

Have been active in many civic and professional organizations including various accounting and consulting groups, Evanston Township High School PTSA. Dewey and King Lab schools (Evanston, IL) PTA’s, One Northside, Northside Action for Justice, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, Toastmasters, Wrightwood Neighbors, CHA CAC, Edith Spurlock Sampson building resident council.

CPA, Illinois, and MBA, University of Chicago

LOCATION: The name of the condo building is River Plaza, located at 405 N. Wabash. We will meet at unit 4507. River Plaza is located right next to the Trump Tower near the Chicago River. On the first floor of the building, you will see an Italian restaurant, Bongiorno’s. You will need to go through the front desk and sign in with the door staff. In the glass door take one of the elevators on your right. (There are two sets of elevators; you will need to take one of the elevators that go to floors 26 and above.) Take the elevator to the 45th floor and it is the first unit on your right as you get off the elevator.
(The door to the unit will be left unlocked so you can walk right in.)