Sunday, November 10, 2013

Notes from the first videoconferencing session

Note: these were taken during the dialogue and so are a bit fragmented and hard to follow. Just try your best to get an idea of what we discussed! :)

The government as a suffering body as well.
Tunnels between Gaza and Egypt to get the basic goods
No physical connection between the West Bank and Gaza
No visitation
Go outside Gaza through neighboring countries
Age restriction to leave the Gaza strip
Fuel problems, electricity, hardships in studying, can’t go to universities.
Light from fire, because there is no other way to study

Youth groups protesting on the borders
Block on the media. Only violence and death are portrayed in the media, but not the peaceful resistance.
There’s a students who wasn’t able to attend the WISE conference, which is unjust considering that they too have a right to expand their knowledge just as other students can and are doing. The blockade is taking away their opportunity of having different educational experiences.
The students are trying to contribute to the Palestinian cause by spreading awareness about the issues they face in Gaza.  “Talking to you as form of breaking the blockade” it’s like a tool.
Initative:
An indirect connection between Gaza students and Israeli students
Penn state- virtual majliss and then Penn State university students have a dialogue with Israeli students.
Network of students
Keep in touch with my partner in USA, under the blockade, and during the war the American students stopped talking to the Israeli students as a form of protest.  
Conversation making a difference in their minds.
Posting instant photos and videos of Gaza under war on Facebook, and people watch it. The students in Penn State make protests on their campuses. Awareness campaigns.

Campaign.
International Refugees day
Education as the main purpose of the united people
The difference between Hamas and Fatah doesn’t create a personal divide amongst families. They are actually able to believe in different political ideologies but act as one Palestinian unit. The divide between the different political parties is just exaggerated in the media. Her family consists of both Fatah supporters and Hamas supporters.


Health and water problem in Gaza under the blockade.


This is an Israeli activist website, really interesting:
Medical issued:
Water issues:

Other websites:
UN research on health conditions in Gaza:

Palestinian activist website:

Read the section on health problems:


If you find any more sources, please do share with the rest of the group! Thanks! 

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Aljazeera link for history of blockade:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/20111030172356990380.html

Red Cross perspective:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2010/06/201061452646659588.html

First Videoconference Session With Gaza Students

Topic: right to free movement and blockade 

For an overview of the blockade in Gaza, read this article:

Start from the part that is titles "Overview"

For pictures of Gaza under the blockade, check this link:

Check this video about the adverse effects of blockade in Gaza:

I tried to find articles that could present the Israeli perspective, but I wasn't successful. Here's a link from the UK Telegraph:

If any of you find the Israeli perspective, please do share!

 


Sunday, October 6, 2013


Welcome! 


     Hey everyone! This is where we will carry out our preparation discussions for our videoconference sessions. This is a way for you to prepare without having to come to meetings during the day. You can read/watch the articles/videos on your own free time. Also, if you find anything interesting on the web about justice and peace (or anything related) you can share it with the rest of us on the blog. 


     Hopefully this blog will keep us in touch and engaged in the program. Keep thinking critically about issues relating to justice and peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution. Remember: this is a learning experience and so don't limit your learning to the videoconference sessions only! Share your thoughts and opinions with your fellow students to help you better prepare and formulate questions for the students we are videoconferencing with! 

Good Luck! =)