For the past century, Jews have settled in the land we now know as Israel. Their farms and cities helped to build the Zionist dream of a Jewish state. But now, a lot of people see new settlements as obstacles to the dream of peace. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge - Zionism -- past, present, and future. Also, what it's like to live in Israel today.

SEGMENT 1

NPR Middle East correspondent Linda Gradstein tells Jim Fleming that the day-by-day up-and-down negotiations over Hebron were largely ignored by most Israelis; that Palestians are effectively segregated within Israel; and that despite objections from traditionalists, Israel's self-image is changing.

SEGMENT 2:

British journalist Geoffrey Wheatcroft , author of "The Controversy of Zion," tells Steve Paulson that a century ago, the most fierce opposition to Zionism came from Jews; that the Holocaust made it impossible for even the most assimilated Jews to oppose the state of Israel; and that Israel runs the risk of becoming the next South Africa for its treatment of the Palestinian population. Also, former Israeli President Chaim Herzog gives Judith Strasser his perspective on Israeli history and claims that Israel's occupation of lands won in the 1967 war has materially improved the lives of the Palestinians. Herzog's memoir is called "Living History."

SEGMENT 3:

Israeli novelist A.B. Yehoshua talks with Judith Strasser anout his novel "Open Heart." It's the story of an ambitious young Israeli doctor who goes to India and encounters mysticism and serious culture shock.

Distribution dates:

• week of 02/02/97 - hour 1