Middle East Workshops
If war is not the answer to existing and threatened conflicts in the Middle East—in Iraq, Israel-Palestine, and Iran—what is? Participants will hear from area experts and Washington activists to identify U.S. policy options that can achieve real security and peace in the region. Lobby training will include how participants can stay active and be effective after they return home.
Saturday, March 14th
10:45 - 12:15am: Track Time I
Effective Israeli-Palestinian Peace Advocacy: At Home and on the Hill
Churches for Middle East Peace staff will lead a workshop that will provide an in-depth training on effective ways to lobby your elected officials on Israeli-Palestinian issues both in your home districts and on Capitol Hill, exploring current legislative initiatives, advocacy points to make to the Obama Administration and tips on getting your message heard. The workshop will also include an update on the pressing issues on the ground in the Holy Land and the policy debates here in Washington.
Speakers: Warren Clark, CMEP Executive Director and Julie Schumacher Cohen, CMEP Legislative Director
4:30 - 6:00pm: Track Time II
After Gaza: Solving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Securing Human Rights
The recent tragedy in Gaza will be examined and an overall solution based in human rights will be outlined. The most current information on the humanitarian situation and political status of Gaza and southern Israel will be offered by leading human rights experts. They will also offer an update on the West Bank and analyze the linkages between poverty, displacement/refugees, and environmental degradation. Learn how Israelis, Palestinians and U.S. based activists are demanding mutual respect for the human rights of all parties as a means to resolution. Find out how you can support this common voice as a faith-based advocate.
Speakers: Maher Bitar, Scholar at Georgetown University in Forced Migration; Nadia Hijab, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies; and Mitchell Plitnick, US Director for B'Tselem: The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
Sunday, March 15th
2:00 - 3:30pm: Track Time III
Environment, Water, Poverty and Peace Building in the Palestinian Territories
This workshop will explore the environment changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and their immediate impact upon socio-economic hardships (poverty & food insecurity). It will focus upon the water conflict and the opportunity towards implementing the theme "water for all" rights and justice, which can be an entry point towards peace building."
Speakers: Ramzi Zananiri, Executive Director of the International Christian Committee-Jerusalem and Executive Director, Near East Council of Churches
3:45 - 5:15pm: Track Time IV
Iraq: Supporting the Vulnerable & Displaced for Lasting Peace
Two main topic areas will be covered in this workshop: (1) Advocacy for the vulnerable & displaced Iraqis. What did candidate Obama promise? How can his administration best deliver on those promises? (2) Advocacy in support of a lasting peace in Iraq: why U.S. troop withdrawals are only part of the solution. What is the best way forward for the U.S. and international community in advancing genuine peacebuilding and sustainable human development in Iraq?
Facilitators: Simone Campbell, NETWORK and Nathaniel Hurd, Government Relations Officer, International Rescue Committee (IRC)