Students, professors and experts came together last night to discuss injustice, struggles and the violence faced by the people of Palestine.
Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine hosted a panel on the human rights crisis in Palestine as part of their annual Palestine Week. The panel consisted of Nadia Hijab of the Institute for Palestine Studies, History Prof. Alon Confino, Law Prof. Deena Hurwitz and University alumna Reema Hijazi. Moderator and Politics Prof. Michael Smith introduced them all as "people who have dedicated their lives to this issue."
Each panelist spoke at length about the human rights injustices in the Palestinian regions of Gaza and the West Bank, approaching the issue from legal, historical and political perspectives. Afterward the panelists opened the floor for questioning.
Hajib focused much of her talk on the legal injustices that Palestinians face, such as the restrictions on Palestinian land ownership and their difficult pursuit of proper health care. Hajib urged "citizens of the world" to address these issues.
"Citizens should have the right to uphold international law, and U.S. citizens should hold the U.S. accountable to do something," Hajib said.
Hurwitz also cited many legal and political injustices, including the temporary prohibition of Palestinians owning cars and people's difficulty coming in and out of the Gaza Strip. Hurwitz emphasized that short-term solutions to these problems do little to help Palestinians in the long term.
"There is a difference between putting out fires and trying to push the agenda forward," she said.
Third-year College student Lulu Buhisi, a member of SPJP, said the point of the panel, as well as the entire Palestine Week, is to raise awareness about the situation.
"There is a complete lack of knowledge about the region," she said. "Some people don't even know where it is."
Buhisi added that the panel aimed to gather experts to present an informative, unemotional account of the issue.
"The purpose of the panel is to have educated experts to speak on the situation and explain the legal framework and why it isn't legally justified," said Mary Slosson, fourth-year College student and SPJP member.
Both Buhisi and Slosson described the event and the week as a positive experience and emphasized the need to find a workable solution to the problems discussed.
"Part of the goal is to engage in a dialogue and when you see an open audience it is very positive," Slosson said.
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