Speaker Shares On Growing Up Palestinian In Israel

Diversitas began 2018 with a heavily discussed and controversial topic: Palestine and Israel.

Peter Cantelon, creator of Diversitas, invited Dr. Idris Elbakri, past President of the Manitoba Islamic Association, to Morden to give some insight on the issue and share his own story of growing up Palestinian in Israel.

Elbakri wanted to strip away the politics of the situation and discuss the real issues and injustices which have befallen the Palestinian people.  

Through the stories of his life in Israel and his recent visit to the country, Elbakri says he hopes people will have a greater understanding of what’s happening in his homeland.

"This is not a religious conflict, it’s not a centuries-old conflict, but a modern conflict rooted in Nationalism and Colonialism. With that understanding, we can start to imagine this conflict and how to resolve it in a way that allows both peoples to live in peace."

As of June 2017, Israel has held military occupation of the West Bank for 50 years.

Wednesday was also the second time Diversitas featured multiple speakers with MCC Manitoba Executive Director Daryl Loewen and Joanna Hiebert Bergen MCC Representative for Palestine/Israel.

In 1949 MCC began relief work for refugees when Palestinians were becoming displaced after the military occupation. Over the decades MCC’s work has evolved into peace, education and advocacy programs. Their goal is to focus on justice and include people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Though the conflict seems a world away, Loewen explains it's important to learn more about this issue as people are in need of help.

"In the case of ‘A Cry For Home’ this particular three-year window of campaign work for MCC, it’s a direct response to the call from Palestinian-Christian partners. Perhaps the most important thing MCC can do in North America to assist the situation in the Middle-East is to tell the story."

'A Cry For Home' is an MCC advocacy campaign on Palestine and Israel.

Cantelon says the evening went well with over 80 people coming to listen to the speakers and ask questions about the topic.