With Munir Nuseibah and Jeff Halper
Stories of the horrific atrocities happening in Gaza as well as within the state of Israel, East Jerusalem and the West Bank are reaching us through media reports that have spread like wildfire. The international community has responded with millions protesting in the streets, lobbying politicians, and writing letters to media platforms insisting that the truth be told and justice be done. The carnage we are witnessing is rooted in Israel’s original settler-colonial desire: to take as much of historic Palestine as achievable but with as few of the indigenous Palestinian population as possible.
But where are recent events going? Will Bibi Netanyahu get his way by realizing further ethnic cleansing and garnering Israeli support that allows him to stay in power? Will Hamas rockets result in the siege on Gaza being lifted? So far, governments have not held the Israeli government accountable for its gross violations of international law and have maintained the status quo. Can things be different this time? Can Palestinians and Israelis ever co-exist?
The aim of this webinar was to provide a political overview and understanding about events during May and where things might go. What are the most effective ways for international civil society to respond as it demonstrates solidarity with the Palestinian people and to ensure that our voices are heard by people and governments?
Dr Munir Nuseibah is a human rights lawyer and academic at Al Quds University, Jerusalem. He heads the Community Action Centre in Jerusalem’s Old City and he was instrumental in the establishment of the Al Quds Human Rights Clinic.
Dr Jeff Halper is an anthropologist who has taught at universities around the world. A life-long activist for social justice, Jeff Halper is the Director of ICAHD, and he is on the steering committee of the One Democratic State Campaign. His latest book is Decolonizing Israel, Liberating Palestine: Zionism, Settler Colonialism, and the Case for One Democratic State.