Join us at Christ Presbyterian Church (944 E. Gorham St. – map) in Madison from 7:00-9:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 for a conversation on Collective Liberation with Palestinian and Israeli activists Osama Iliwat and Rotem Levin. This event is co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace Madison, Mennonite Action-Madison, and Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. Register now.

Meet Osama Iliwat: Osama Iliwat’s family is originally from East Jerusalem and was displaced after the “Six Day War” of 1967. He grew up in the West Bank city of Jericho. He has been in the peace world for more than 15 years and co-founded ‘Visit Palestine’ (NGO). Osama is active internationally and within Palestine where he helps his community of Jericho and other communities in the West Bank, helping them to remain on their land and rebuild damaged homes and schools. He also offers political educational tours to visitors in the West Bank and goes to schools to talk with Palestinians and Israelis about non-violent resistance and communication. Osama taught himself Hebrew in order to connect with a wider group of people in Israel and Palestine. He also does trauma and healing work to support people throughout Palestine and Israel. Osama has worked closely with Combatants for Peace. Osama was a speaker for TEDx Jaffa at the beginning of his peace journey and featured in many television interviews.

Meet Rotem Levin: After completing his service in the Israeli military, Rotem participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. He began organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and for Palestinian and Israeli medical workers. Now a committed activist and doctor by profession, he travels giving conferences. In 2020, Rotem moved to Beit Jala, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, to improve his Arabic and better understand the Palestinian experience of living under military occupation. When Rotem is not giving conferences for peace internationally, he invests time creating spaces where dialogue can take place for Israelis and Palestinians. Rotem has worked closely with Combatants for Peace.

• Category: Palestine