MIDDLE EAST PEACE FORUM OF PITTSBURGH
7514 Kensington St. Pittsburgh PA 15221-3224
Tel: 412 400 4394 E-mail: mepfp@gmail.com
CONTACT: Paul Wahrhaftig
_______________________________________________Website: www.mepfp.org
March 24, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE TO THE OCCUPATION –Testimony from Beit Ommar
To many Americans the association of non-violent direct action with Palestine would be an oxi-moron. As many people in the region now recognize that the continuing violence will not bring an end to their troubles they turn to non-violent methodology.
Non-Violent Resistance to the Occupation – Testimonies from Beit Ommar
Bekah Wolf speaker
Friday April 4 – 7:30 – 10 PM
136A Baker Hall (Anderson Wing) on the Carnegie Mellon University campus
Bekah Wolf, an American Israeli will speak about the project she co-founded, The Palestinian Solidarity Project.
Ms. Wolf described PSP as “a Palestinian-led organization dedicated through non-violent direct action to opposing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. It was founded in the village of Beit Ommar in the Southern West Bank during the summer of 2006”. “PSP is envisioned,” she continued, “as a project dedicated to supporting Palestinian communities resisting the Israeli Occupation. We also believe firmly in the concept of sumoud—steadfastness—as a form of resistance. For many of the communities we work with, simply remaining on their land in the face of intimidation, violence, economic strangulation, and a history of forced displacement, is an act of resistance” Paul Wahrhaftig, spokesperson for the Middle East Peace Forum, which sponsored Ms Wolf’s appearances in Pittsburgh, stated that PSP’s assertive model should be a source of inspiration to American activists. Non-violence practiced by PSP is not the passive “love thy neighbor” model taught in American schools around Martin Luther King Day. PSP is an assertive movement using tools like mass demonstrations; sit ins, highway blockages and more.
Ms Wolf may be accompanied by one of the Palestinian members of PSP – if they are successful in getting an American visa, which currently has not been issued.
This event is one of many being organized by the Middle East Peace Forum of Pittsburgh. In their efforts to promote peace, they seek to give voice to the voiceless. We read what political and religious leaders have to say about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but seldom hear from ordinary people. Through films and speakers, we can hear the “person in the street” who must live in the confect and will have to live with its eventual settlement.
Interviews may be scheduled with Bekah Wolf 6 PM on Friday or Saturday morning.
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