On April 21, JWE President Helena Cobban took part in an 80-minute conversation at Westmoreland Church (UCC), in Bethesda MD, at the invitation of the church’s Middle East Committee, which has long pursued a strong commitment to Palestinian rights. The event took the form of a conversation conducted, for the first 35 minutes, by longtime Middle East Committee member Robert Mertz, as shown above. In the second half of the program, several attendees at the gathering asked questions, both in-person from the church parlor, and online via the event’s well-populated Zoom feed. With the help of Mr. L ..read more

Hebh Jamal, a Palestinian-American journalist who grew up in New York, is currently living in Germany and facing legal prosecution due to her activism for Palestine. This remarkable woman has been at the forefront of the fight for Palestinian rights, raising her voice against injustice. Hebh Jamal In a recent episode of PalCast, available on Apple & Spotify, Hebh, along with Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban, and Tony Groves, discussed the German position on Israel in relation to its history and their declared commitment to human rights. The conversation highlighted the global solidarity ..read more

In a world ablaze with conflict, there are those who strive to make a difference. One such individual is Dr. Alice Rothchild, a board member of Just World Educational (JWE) and a tireless advocate for peace and justice. Dr. Alice Rothchild Recently, Dr. Rothchild returned from an impactful week in Atlanta, Georgia, where she delivered a stirring sermon at Congregation Bet Haverim. For those with limited time, this sermon is a must-listen, providing a glimpse into her dedication and passion for her work, available here. On March 19, 2024, Dr. Rothchild participated in a Q&A session titled ..read more

Elbit Systems, Israel’s leading weapons manufacturer, is under scrutiny for its significant role in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. PalCast hosts looked at the company’s involvement and the campaigns against it, along with Huda Ammori, a co-founder of the Palestine Action Group, in the latest episode of PalCast. Huda Ammori Huda Ammori: Activist and Co-Founder of Palestine Action Huda Ammori is not just a co-founder of the direct-action network, Palestine Action, but also a relentless activist who has dedicated her efforts to expose British complicity with Israeli apartheid. Despite facing ..read more

We’re proud to repost this great article published recently by our board member Rick Sterling on the L.A. Progressive website. In June 1967, Israel launched surprise attacks on its Arab neighbors and captured Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Golan. With military and intelligence support from Lyndon Johnson’s administration, Israel shocked and overwhelmed its neighbors, largely destroying Egypt’s air force on the ground. Israel not only seized possession of these territories, they humiliated their adversaries. It only took six days. This assault was pivotal in three respects. First, it c ..read more

We are delighted to announce that two fine thought leaders have agreed to join the board of Just World Educational. They are (in alphabetical order): ** Rami G. Khouri, a thoughtful, accomplished writer and analyst, and an op-ed columnist for Al-Jazeera online. Khouri is a Distinguished Public Policy Fellow with the Issam Fares Institute of AUB, the Director of the Anthony Shadid Archives Research Project, a member of the Steering Committee of the Palestine Lands Study Center, and a non-resident Senior Fellow with the Arab Center of Washington DC. ** Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, a veteran stru ..read more

In a world often overshadowed by conflict and suffering, there are moments that transcend borders, languages, and cultures. One such moment emerged from the heartbreak of Gaza, echoing the poignant words of the late Dr. Refaat Alareer. Dr. Refaat Alareer In a previous blog post titled “Refaat Alareer’s legacy lives on, multiplies,” we explored the profound impact of Dr. Alareer’s poem “If I Must Die.” Tragically, Dr. Alareer and six of his family members were among the countless lives lost to Israeli violence in Gaza on December 7th. Yet, despite the darkness of his untimely passing, Dr. Alare ..read more

In the latest episode of PalCast, World Central Kitchen and Atrocity Politics, available on Apple & Spotify, hosts Yousef, Helena, and Tony delved into the pressing issues surrounding the EU’s response to the crisis in Gaza. Joined by Palestinian writer and advocate, Muhammad Shehada, the conversation shed light on the EU’s shortcomings and Israel’s ongoing atrocities in the region. The EU, long hailed for its advocacy of human rights globally, finds itself facing criticism for its failure to effectively address the situation in Gaza. While some EU politicians acknowledge the harsh realiti ..read more

Meet Alexandria Saleem, a first-generation Palestinian American whose roots trace back to Gaza, a land marred by displacement and conflict. Born into a family that endured the upheaval of both the 1948 and 1967 conflicts, Alexandria’s identity is deeply intertwined with her Palestinian heritage. Alexandria Saleem However, Alexandria is not just a product of her history; she is a dynamic force of creativity and activism. As a multimedia performance artist, art director, and set designer, Alexandria’s work transcends traditional boundaries, blending dance, performance art, film, installation, an ..read more

This week, Texas-based poet and physician Fady Joudah released a new collection of poems that he composed during the first two months of Israel’s genocide against his family’s home terrain of Gaza. In the latest episode of PalCast, “The Palestinian Voice with Fady Joudah,” he discussed the importance of poetry, memory, and Palestinian narratives with the PalCast team of Yousef, Helena, and Tony. Find their rich, far-ranging conversation on Apple & Spotify, Joudah, who personally lost over a hundred family members in the Israeli airstrikes, brings a powerful blend of grief and wisdom to hi ..read more