Costs of War on Israeli Society: Two Unheard Perspectives

Viewpoints from two cultures on the impact of continuing war on Israeli Society.

Courtesy: micheleroohani.com

(SANTA CRUZ, Calif.) - Ofra Lyth, an Israeli Jew, and Ismail Kharoub, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, will speak about the ongoing impact on Israel and its citizens of the continuing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, during a special tour that begins April 10, 2010 in Santa Cruz.

The speakers will offer two distinct and often overlooked voices in public discussion of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Public discussion in the United States often focuses on Israel’s security and perceived threats from the Palestinians and surrounding Arab nations or the continuing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and military occupation of the West Bank.

These speakers will address the heavy toll exacted on Israel as a nation and on both Jewish and Palestinian Israelis, by the state of continuing war and the failure to achieve a political resolution to the conflict.

The national Refuser Solidarity Network and Resource Center for Nonviolence of Santa Cruz are organizing this regional speaking tour of the Central Coast and Central Valley of California from April 9-25, 2010.

Proceeds from the speaking tour will support the work of New Profile, a feminist Israeli organization that offers support for those refusing military service, challenges the pervasive influence of militarism on Israeli society, and strives to civilize the politics and everyday life of Israel.

Recently the state attorney general concluded an investigation of New Profile that seemed determined to intimidate or shut down the organization. The national Refuser Solidarity Network provides grants to a half dozen groups in Israel that support military refusers. The Resource Center for Nonviolence of Santa Cruz is taking the lead in organizing the two-week speaking tour.

Tax deductible contributions to support the ongoing efforts of New Profile and/or the Refuser Solidarity Network may be made payable to: “RSN” or “RSN/New Profile” and mailed c/o RCNV, 515 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or by visiting refusersolidarity.net

To find out where the speakers are appearing or to host the speakers in your community, contact: Scott Kennedy,
Resource Center for Nonviolence
831.423.1626

Schedule: Saturday April 10, 2010
Santa Cruz 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fundraising Reception, at the Darling House,
314 West Cliff Drive.
RSVP. santacruz friendsofnewprofile@gmail.com
or calll 831.423.1626x107.

Monterey 7:00 p.m.
Presentation at Irvine Auditorium,
499 Pierce Street,
Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey.

Sunday April 11
Ventura 3:00 p.m.
Presentation at Foster Library, Ventura,
sponsored by Citizens for Peaceful Resolution, Ventura

Monday April 12
Thousand Oaks 7:00 p.m.
public presentation at California Lutheran University,
Thousand Oaks.

Tuesday April 13
Oxnard/Ventura

Wednesday April 14
Fresno 6:30 p.m.
public presentation at College Community Congregational Church,
5550 No. Fresno Street, Fresno Center for Nonviolence Peace Fresno,
WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom)

Thursday April 15
Modesto 7:00 p.m.
Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Avenue, Modesto.
Modesto Peace/Life Center and Church of the Brethren.

Friday April 16
Stockton 6:00 p.m.
Potluck and presentation,
Central United Methodist Church,
3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton.

Sunday April 18
Sacramento, Davis

Monday April 19
Davis 7:00 p.m.
Presentation at United Methodist Church,
1600 Anderson Road, Davis.
Sponsored by UMC Davis & Jewish Peace Alternative.

Tuesday April 20
(tba)

Wednesday April 21
Sunnyvale 7:00 p.m.
public presentation at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church,
728 West Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale.
Sponsors Sunnyvale Presbyterian Chapter Pilgrims of Ibillin, Southbay Jewish Voice for Peace, Peace and Justice Task Force of the San Jose Presbytery

Thursday April 22
Walnut Creek 4:00 p.m.
Rossmoor, Walnut Creek. Sponsored by Rossmoor's "Human Rights in the Middle East"
plus Middle East Study Group of Contra Costa County.

Friday April 23
Berkley 7:00 p.m.
Presentation at Newman Hall, Dwight Way at College Avenue, Berkeley. Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace.