Peace activist addresses audience at USQ

More than 50 people gathered at USQ recently  to hear renowned author and peace activist Anna Baltzer present her acclaimed presentation: Is peace in the Middle East possible?

The award-winning Jewish American author is involved in a Palestinian nonviolent peace movement and presented her personal views on the issue and eyewitness reports on the conflict.

Ms Baltzer is a former Fulbright scholar, Columbia University graduate and granddaughter of Holocaust refugees. Raised with a traditional view on the issue, Ms Baltzer’s perspective changed when she moved to the West Bank to work with nonviolent Palestinians and Israelis.

Life in Occupied Palestine: Eye Witness Stories and Photos provided an introduction to the debate surrounding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and outlined the driving force behind the nonviolent movement for freedom and equality in the Holy Land.

Ms Baltzer used personal stories to support her view of the human rights abuses faced by Palestinians in the West Bank: waiting at checkpoints, home demolitions to make way for illegal Israeli settlements and the Separation Wall.

She particularly focused on what she said was the steadfastness and courage of ordinary Palestinians non-violently resisting the usurpation of their land, as well as Israeli activism. She discussed what actions she believes the global community should take such as boycotting Israeli products, divestment and sanctions.

Ms Baltzer’s public campaign for coexistence and insistence on honest reporting has led to more than 200 television appearances and lectures at more than 500 universities, churches, synagogues, mosques, think tanks, and other policy institutes around the world.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Research Journalism Institute, Grassroots Jerusalem, and The Council for the National Interest.

USQ Associate Lecturer in Business Management, Mr Gerard Betros, said the presentation was part of a 'global issues' series of public lectures sponsored by the USQ Multicultural Centre.

The presentation was replete with photographic documentation and critical information on issues Ms Baltzer believes are often misrepresented and ignored in the Western media.