Interested in learning more about the conflict over Palestine? Here's a chance to see things from a Palestinian perspective. To mark Palestine Awareness Week, a variety of events will be held at the U of I through Friday, including talks, a documentary, and a cultural celebration.

By Dana Al-Qadi

Gargoyle senior editor

Posted Monday, April 2, 2007, The OG, news

THIS WEEK THE University of Illinois will host a series of events marking Palestine Awareness Week.

The events are co-sponsored by the registered student organizations Students for Justice in Palestine, International Socialist Organization, Muslim Students Association, Council on American Islamic Relations, and Muslim Law Students Association.

The aim of the week is to promote human rights within the occupied territories of Palestine as well as provide information and history about the conflict between Palestine and Israel.

The annual weeklong series attracted a variety of people last year, and one speech even featured Uni alum David Boyle's father, law professor Francis Boyle, talking about divestment from Israel.

This year's schedule features a different event for each night this week, with all of the activities free and open to the public.

Tonight's panel will feature a range of different perspectives, from graduate students originally from Palestine to non-Arab U of I professors discussing their own experiences in the region. There will also be a photo exhibit featuring work done by children from the Balata refugee camp.

Tuesday night will feature a documentary titled “Jenin Jenin.” Jenin is a city in the West Bank, and the at-times graphic documentary uses eyewitness accounts to discuss the Israeli invasion into the Jenin refugee camp during April 2002.

On Wednesday night Prof. Jamal Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, will give a talk addressing the role America plays within Israeli and Palestinian politics.

Thursday night will feature a talk by Hatem Abudayyah focusing on human rights violations in Palestine.

Friday night will be geared toward culture rather than politics and will feature Palestinian food, music, and dancing.

“In many ways it is important for college campuses to have a Palestine Awareness Week so that students may be confronted with a point of view not often represented in the media so they can see and hear the voices of those typically silenced,” said David McDonald, an adjunct assistant professor of anthrophology at the U of I who was approached by Students for Justice in Palestine to participate in tonight's panel.

“The Israeli and Palestinian conflict is a very important social, cultural, and political issue for Americans regardless of their race, religion, or ethnicity. The University campus is an extraordinary place where such issues can be debated and discussed in an open public forum.”

PALESTINE AWARENESS WEEK SCHEDULE

MONDAY (April 2)

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Illini Union Room B

Photo exhibit: Picture Balata

Photos by Palestinian children from the Balata Refugee Camp

• 7 p.m., 192 Lincoln Hall

“An Occupation, a Reality: Personal Experiences from Palestine”

Panel: David McDonald, Stephen Gasteyer, Tahreer Araj, Fayyad Sbaihat

TUESDAY (April 3)

• 7 p.m., 112 Chem Annex

Film showing: “Jenin Jenin”

WEDNESDAY (April 4)

• 7 p.m., 114 Transportation Building

“U.S., Israel, and Palestine”

Speaker: Jamal Nassar

THURSDAY (April 5)

• 7 p.m., 112 Chem Annex

“Human Rights Lost”

Speaker: Hatem Abudayyah

FRIDAY (April 6)

• 7 p.m., McKinley Foundation

Cultural Night: Dance Performances

Dancing, music, and food