NGO Action News – 19 October 2015

This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations affiliated with the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The Committee and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the UN Secretariat provide the information “as is” without warranty of any kind, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in the websites linked in the newsletter.

NGO Action News
19 October 2015

North America

• From 16 to 18October, the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Portland, Oregon (USA) held a three day event entitled “Tree of Life Conference: Eyes on Gaza”. The event included film screenings, conferences and music. Among the participants were: Fida Qishta, journalist and filmmaker from Gaza; Mark Braverman, author of “A Wall in Jerusalem”; Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb of the Rabbinic Council of Jewish Voice for Peace; and Barbara Lubin, co-founder and executive director of Middle East Children’s Alliance.

• On 19 October, the Center for Palestine Studies, Columbia University held the event “Suad Amiry and Susan Abulhawa: In Conversation” in New York City. The Palestinian architect and author Suad Amiry and Palestinian-American writer and human rights activist Susan Abulhawa discussed their newly published books within a broader conversation around contemporary Palestinian literature. The discussion was moderated by Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies, Columbia University.

• On 23 October the Middle East Children’s Alliance will hold an event entitled “Room Number 4: Israeli Arrests of Palestinian children – Silwan, East Jerusalem” in Oakland, California (USA).The event includes a photo exhibition and a presentation by Sahar Abbasi Baidon, Deputy Director of Madaa Silwan Creative Center where she works with children who have been arrested.

Europe

• On 14 October, the Irish School of Ecumenics in association with Academics for Palestine held the discussion “Academic voices from Palestine: Education under occupation” presented by Dr. Iain Atack, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland) and with the participation of Dr. Ayman Shaheen, Political Science professor at Al Azhar University, Gaza; Dr. Yaser Al Ashqar, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College; Malaka Mohammed, Member of the National Executive Committee of the National Union of Students in the UK; and Suha Shaheen, Lecturer at Al Quds Open University, Gaza.

• On 26 October the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign will present Prof. Jeff Halper’s new book “War against the People: Israel, the Palestinians and Global Pacification” in Dublin.The Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Jeff Halper has spent nearly 20 years as head of the Israeli Committee against House Demolitions . Professor Halper will also give an update on the current situation on the ground in the Palestine-Israel region.