Rashid Khalidi
Resurrecting Empire: Our Perilous Path in the Middle East
3:00pm, Saturday
September 18, 2004
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Rashid Khalidi is Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies and director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University. He formerly taught at the University of Chicago. Khalidi will discuss his new book, Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America's Perilous Path in the Middle East. [more details]

Hidaya Said Najmi, Marianne Albina, & Gila Svirsky
Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision
7:00pm, Tuesday
October 19, 2004
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Three women from Jerusalem share their personal experiences and daily lives as women living in the midst of conflict, yet with hopes for peace. Participants include Hidaya Said Najmi, a Muslim Palestinian architect, Marianne Albina, a Christian Palestinian and writer, and Gila Svirsky, a Jewish Israeli and veteran feminist peace activist. [more details]

Mitchell Plitnick
US Policy and the Israel-Palestine Conflict: A Post-Election Analysis
7:00pm, Wednesday
November 10, 2004
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Mitchell Plitnick is Director of Education and Policy for Jewish Voice for Peace, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. JVP (www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org) is the largest Jewish peace organization of its kind in the US. [more details]

Ali Abunimah & Norman Finkelstein
The Current Situation: What Does It Hold for the Future?
2:30pm, Sunday
January 30, 2005
Little Theater, Oak Park River Forest High School
201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park, IL

Two of the most popular and engaging speakers from our past seasons meet for an informal panel discussion on current events and trends affecting the prospects for peace in Israel and Palestine. Abunimah and Finkelstein will also examine and clarify the ongoing discussion among analysts, activists, and diplomats about possible future political outcomes for the region, including the "two-state," "one-state," "binational state," and other proposed solutions. [more details]

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land: U.S. Media & the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A 2004 film directed by Bathsheba Ratzkoff & Sut Jhally
2:00pm, Sunday
February 6, 2005
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

This recent film offers a fascinating in-depth analysis of media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict using news clips comparing actual events to their coverage in American and British TV. In showing how alternative versions of the same event are presented in various media outlets and adding insights and commentary from distinguished political analysts, journalists, and political activists, Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land provides a fresh historical overview of the conflict and poses important questions about the factors that shape U.S. media coverage and American public opinion.

Liat Weingart & Shamai Leibowitz
Americans and the Israeli Occupation: Economic Morality and Targeted Divestment
7:00pm, Monday
February 7, 2005
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL>

What are the economic, political, and moral rationales for targeted disinvestment? Does divestment unfairly single out Israel for condemnation and punishment? What motivates some American Jews to support actions that others reject as anti-Jewish and anti-Israel? What does the US divestment movement look like to Israelis who see it as a necessary tool for ending the occupation? This public forum will offer a valuable opportunity to hear the rationale for divestment as a form of economic morality in the pursuit of social justice. In addition, panelists will address some of the most common questions about and objections to divestment. [more details]

Alisa Klein
Zionism and Palestine: A Jewish Woman's Story
2:30pm, Sunday
March 6, 2005
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
Co-sponsored by Not in My Name and the Action for Justice Committee—St. Giles Family Mass

Alisa Klein is an Israeli citizen and Israeli army veteran. Born in the US, Klein has spent much of her life in Israel and now lives in the US. Klein will discuss American Jewish and Israeli perceptions of Palestinians and Palestine, as well as Israeli policies and their impact. Klein has published frequent articles and received numerous fellowships and awards for her work on the issues confronting Palestinians and Israelis. Klein’s presentation will be accompanied by a slide show. [more details]

Phyllis Bennis
Road Maps and Road Blocks: Are We on the Path to Israeli-Palestinian Peace?
7:00pm, Wednesday
April 13, 2005
Veterans Room, Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
Co-sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Celebrated policy analyst Phyllis Bennis reports on what's being discussed—and what's not being discussed—in the recent negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In Bennis' analysis of the moment's opportunities and obstacles, these talks are not "historic," and the widespread sense of cautious optimism is overrated.[more details]

4th Annual Walk for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
Sunday
May 15, 2005
Location TBA
We invite co-sponsors for the Walk—please contact CJPIP.

Join with Muslims, Jews, Christians, and secular persons in this powerful joint call for peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis.[See our 2004 Walk]

About us

The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine (CJPIP) is a community-based organization founded to develop and support activities that further the cause of peace and justice in Palestine and Israel. Community education and dialog events featuring a broad range of perspectives are a vital part of our mission.

Support our work! As we begin this ambitious program year, your financial support is critical to our success: your generous donation will enhance our ability to reach a broad public with these events. Tax-deductible contributions may be made payable to Illinois Justice Foundation/CJPIP.

Series presenters will appear in Oak Park and elsewhere throughout the Chicago and suburban area; check this website for the latest details. All events are subject to change. Speakers do not necessarily represent the views of CJPIP.

Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
P.O. Box 3667
Oak Park, Illinois 60303
Web: www.geocities.com/cjpipwebsite/
E-mail: justpeace1@aol.com
Phone: 312.427.2533 x18