The Gaza Peace Center organizes a workshop on freedom of expression
an article by Ziad Medoukh

Within the framework of its program and its activities carried out in the fields of democracy, human rights, nonviolence, tolerance and peace the peace center of the University Al-Aqsa continues its workshops and its educational work with nonviolence and peace. This is done despite the difficult conditions in the Gaza Strip which suffers from the blockade and consequent enormous economic difficulties.

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On June 12, 2008 the center organized a workshop on academic freedom of expression and freedoms for more than 27 students and coeds of the university Al-Aqsa. This subject touches a very interesting field in our Palestinian context. This workshop was animated by Mr Sameh Ajrami of the Ramallah human rights center and introduced by Ziad Medoukh, the coordinator of the Center, who affirmed the importance of this topic to arrive at a real democracy. This is especially true in our country Palestine, because we suffer from the permanent violations of our most fundamental rights by the Israeli occupying force without mentioning the obstacles and difficulties imposed by the local authority against freedom of expression.

The lecturer began his intervention with a theoretical presentation of the topic. He then presented concrete examples in the framework of our country as well as from other countries. Het also evoked the case of several people, journalists, politicians and intellectuals, who gave their life because of their insistence on the freedom of thought and ideas.

The organizer insisted much on the fact that freedom of expression helps to create a developed society, a free society that respects its citizens and their rights.

The young students were interested in the topic and took part very much with their ideas and opinions in the workshop.

The center of peace plans to organize very soon a peace camp for the children to teach them the principles of tolerance, accepting others within an interactive framework. The camp will be animated by the students participating in the workshops and activities of this center.

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The following commentary was first published in Newsday magazine on July 1, 2007.  The original is available on the Internet at Newsday.

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Israelis, Palestinians must promote peace culture
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BY MOHAMMED ABU-NIMER

With shame, hopelessness and helplessness, many Palestinians see their dream for an independent state being dismantled by their own so-called national leaders.

This evolving reality is hard to comprehend, and it has caused the majority of Palestinians, according to a recent survey from the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, to blame both Hamas and Fatah leaders for what has happened to them under the Israeli occupation.

Hamas claims to have "liberated Gaza," and in response Fatah leaders declared they are "managers" of the West Bank. As a result, there is no discussion of two-state solution of Israel and Palestine. Instead, Hamas and Fatah seem to support a two-mini-cantons solution in which each leadership can continue to protect its narrow self-interest in cooperation with its patrons (Israel, the United States, Syria, Iran).

Again, the Palestinian leadership has failed its people. The competition between Hamas and Fatah, with each taking control of a portion of the bread crumbs that the Israeli government left when it pulled out of Gaza and agreed to elections in the West Bank, entails disastrous results for anyone interested in securing a free and democratic Middle East.

The Palestinians have been set back several decades, to the time when they were fighting over who should represent them.. . ...more.

This report was posted on July 22, 2008. The moderator is CPNN Administrator.

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