ISRAEL—Thirty-one-year-old Eddie Subery is a lawyer from Tel-Aviv who teaches law to bright young students in four cities in Israel. At ages 10 to 12, these gifted children already study criminal and civil law.
After reading about human rights violations in China, Mr. Subery pondered what topic to choose for the public debates in his classes, gathering his students and their families together.
The topic he eventually chose is: Should the Olympic Games take place in China in the light of the severe human rights violations in the country?
As debate custom dictates, Mr. Subery did not reveal the topic to the students beforehand. "You won't have it the easy way," said Mr. Subery to the participants in one class.
He divided the group into two sides—pros and cons; similar to professional lawyers, the debaters had to represent a stance they did not sympathize with.
Before the debate started, the students prepared by consulting with their families and worked on coming up with well-grounded arguments. Mr. Subery said he asked the adults not to give their children too many tips.
Then the debaters had to face the audience and present their arguments. Members of the opposing group could hit the table, saying, "I oppose," and get permission to speak out.
"In China they live their own life, and we live ours," said one of the pros. "I don't think we should interfere with another nation or take their law into our hands," said another.
Others said, "Every athlete who has practiced for four years should get the chance to participate in the Olympics"; and "It is too late to reverse this decision in such a short time ahead, and after so much money has been invested."
The cons argued that "the Chinese authorities do not support human rights and impose punishments that are not accepted by the rest of the world."
One student said, "We, as descendants of Jews who suffered in the Holocaust, strongly oppose any injustice of human rights." While another student said, "If we are silent and let this happen, many people will die exactly like in the Holocaust."
One young student, combining the two points of view, said, "We came for sports and we do not intend to give up the Olympics, yet in the opening ceremony the delegations may perform one of the Falun Gong* exercises. This way we will show them we are not interfering, but protesting."
Note: *A peaceful meditation practice currently persecuted in China.
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