DeKalb Interfaith Network

Middle East

U.S. Policy is traditionally skewed towards Israel and so the voices of Palestinians tend to be drowned out in public debate. One Jewish woman who takes a more nuanced view of the Middle East Conflict is Anna Baltzer.

Anna Baltzer, Jewish American award-winning speaker, author, former Fulbright scholar, and recent guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, is coming to town with her acclaimed presentation about the conflict and what you can do to bring peace and justice to Israel/Palestine. Baltzer has appeared on television more than 200 times and lectured at more than 400 universities, schools, churches, mosques, synagogues, think tanks, and other policy institutes around the world. In 2009, Baltzer received the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee's Rachel Corrie Peace & Justice Award and a Certificate of Commendation from the Governor of Wisconsin for her commitment to a justice in the Holy Land. She is a contributor to four upcoming books on the subject and serves on the Middle East committee of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom and the Board of Directors of The Research Journalism Institute, Grassroots Jerusalem, Council for the National Interest, and NewPolicy.org. For more information about Baltzer's work, visit www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com

Following her presentation, Baltzer will be selling and signing copies of her book: Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories.

**Message from Interfaith Peace-Builders about MAR 7^th – 8^th GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY TRAINING & LOBBY DAY:

Gain Important Skills for your Activism @ Make an Impact in Congress!

Join Interfaith Peace-Builders, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and the leading organizations in the peace and justice movement in Washington DC at American University on March 7-8, 2010 for your chance to impact US policy in Israel/Palestine.

There is no better time than now to act and no time to lose. Be the change you want to see!

Workshops will provide essential skills on current topics for U.S.-based activists. Experienced trainers and experts will lead sessions on the following topics:

ï‚· United States Policy and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

ï‚· Beginning and Advanced Skills for Congressional Engagement and Citizen Lobbying

ï‚· Campaigning for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

ï‚· Broadening the Discourse in Your Local Media

ï‚· Speaking Effectively to Engage and Educate your Community about Palestine

ï‚· Coalition Building with Muslim Communities

ï‚· and other subjects essential to seasoned activists and beginners alike

Join Anna Baltzer, Noura Erakat, Sam Husseini, Ra'ed Jarrar, Gael Murphy, Josh Ruebner, Rebecca Vilkomerson and more presenters and workshop leaders at the forefront of the movement for peace and justice in Palestine/Israel.

For a full schedule visit www.ifpb.org/education/grassroots/2010/schedule.html

WHY ACT NOW?

The United States has long been the most dominant international player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a result, US citizens bear a deep responsibility to address our government's role and support Palestinian and Israeli peace efforts. This Grassroots Advocacy Training will provide both seasoned organizers and new activists with the skills and experience needed to make a real impact.

There has never been a better chance to make a change. Last year's election has provided a new opportunity. Participants will gain access to new resources on United States aid to Israel and attend workshops led by experts in the field. The lobby day corresponds with an important time in the congressional calendar when budget appropriations (including military aid to Israel) are being debated and decided.

Join Interfaith Peace-Builders and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation for a unique opportunity to make real change. Your participation will enrich your understanding of the conflict and help build a strong grassroots US movement for peace and justice in Palestine/Israel.

Download and distribute the flyer at www.ifpb.org/mainflyers.html

Spread the word on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1440310060#!/event.php?eid=130841793764&ref=mf

This event is sponsored by:
Interfaith Peace-Builders and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Endorsed by:
The American Friends Service Committee - Chicago, CODEPINK: Women for Peace, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Holy Land Trust, the Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA Council for Social Justice, the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions - USA, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Middle East Research and Information Project, the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Progressive Democrats of America, the Washington Peace Center, and more!