Combatants for Peace Visit Westtown

 

In February, the History and Religion Department hosted a visit from Combatants for Peace. Combatants for Peace (CfP) describe themselves as a “joint Palestinian-Israeli community working in solidarity to end the occupation, discrimination, and oppression of all people living on this land. Guided by the values of non-violent resistance, we are showing the world that there is another way.” This organization, founded by former soldiers and resistance fighters in 2006, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 and 2018. 

Students enrolled in Peace and Justice, World Religions 1, World Religions 2, World history 1800-2000, and Genocide Studies 2 courses, as well as others in the community who wished to attend, gathered in the Meeting House for CfP’s presentation and discussion.

Souli Khatib, Palestinian Activist and the co-founder of CfP, and Iris Gur, an Israeli activist, spoke powerfully about their personal experiences that led them to this work, as well as their own perspectives on the struggle for peace and collective liberation. Their presentation provided students with an example of groups and individuals working respectfully across deep and sometimes fundamental differences toward the shared goal of peace. Their presentation was followed by a Q&A period in which students asked meaningful questions, the answers to which helped further their understanding. 

Our thanks to our Religion and History Department teachers for organizing this event, and to former faculty Melissa Graf-Evans and alum and former Trustee Jon Evans ’73 for hosting our visitors during their stay in the area. You can learn more about Combatants for Peace in this video.