Ancient Jerusalem is a unique archaeological site of global importance for three main reasons: it is identified with the beginning of habitation in Jerusalem and it was the capital of ancient Israelite kingdoms, today a Palestinian village is located on its site and it is close to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif – one of the politically and religiously most sensitive places in the Middle East. All of these characteristics present great challenges both from an archaeological perspective and in terms of the social and political implications of the excavation work.

In recent years, archaeology has been playing an increasingly crucial role in the political struggle in East Jerusalem in general and at the site of ancient Jerusalem/the village of Silwan in particular.

The archaeologist Yonathan Mizrachi, Director of the Israeli organization Emek Shaveh, will discuss the role of archaeology in the Israeli–Palestine political conflict and in the discourse on the future of Jerusalem. He will examine the relationship between archaeological research and the various interest groups active in the village and at the site. He will also offer a different model for archaeology as a tool to promote tolerance and respect for other cultures, past and present and for a better future for both the local residents and the whole region.

The meeting will start with the screening of the short film In the shadow of King David, (Natasha Dudinski) 2008, 24 minute.

The event is organized by gate48 – platform for critical Israelis in the Netherlands, in cooperation with CREA Amsterdam, and supported by Stichting Democratie en Media.
For more information
www.gate48.org www.alt-arch.org

http://www.facebook.com/events/285973641425765/

It was aimed at encouraging the role of artists in civil society by featuring the work of those committed to peace and human rights. It enabled French and Dutch students to discover the work of Middle Eastern and European artists and organizations on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, through various free and open events.

This report aims at resuming the most important learning outcomes of these various events, and at showing the work of the invited artists and academics, as well as those of the FFIPP’s members involved in the organisation and implementation of this artistic festival.

The project “Art For Peace! Art For Freedom!” has been supported by the European Commission’s program ‘Youth in Action’ and the CCFD – Terre Solidaire.

To read the report please click here

Internship session in Israel & Palestine

- Summer 2011 -
Session I: June 24th – July 30th

The intern selection process is now open, so sign up if you want to be a part of this unique experince in Israel & Palestine

Applications will be accepted until April 30th. For more information please check out our internship section or send us an e-mail:  internships.ffipp@gmail.com

Israel & Palestine

The Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Netherlands (FFIPP-NL) is organizing an international festival with the theme Art in the Conflict – Art for Peace! Art for Freedom! And will deal with the issue of ‘Art as a means of dialogue?’ – A way to create means of exchange and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Art and culture can play a key-role in armed conflict situations. Art can inspire people to enter into heated debates and perhaps gradually open the way towards a just peace. During this evening with interactive events and a conference with an Israeli and a Palestinian speaker, the audience will be presented with a view on how art is able – or unable – to play an active role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The event in Amsterdam will take place on the 18th November and present:

• A Conference by Israeli and Palestinian speakers

• A photo exhibition of art on both sides of the Israeli West Bank separation barrier

• Movie screening of “Arna’s Children”, with a discussion session via Skype with director Juliano Mer Khamis

• To conclude the evening: A special musical performance by MANU – to see more: http://www.manu-music.com/

The Palestinian speaker will be Tayseer Al Khateb, from The Freedom Theatre in Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The Freedom Theatre tries to give children a future by training them in theatre acting and performance. To read more go to: http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/

Their work has inspired the celebrated movie ‘Arna’s children’ directed by Juliano Mer Khamis.

The Israeli speaker will be Tal Ben Zvi from the School of Arts of the Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv, Israel. She is also a curator at several art galleries and is involved in peace activism and dialogue.  During the conference the speakers will critically discuss the possibility of art as a means of dialogue for peace.

When & Where:

The event in Amsterdam will take place on Thursday the 18th November at 20.00 pm at the Crea Cafe (Universiteit van Amsterdam):
Turfdraagsterpad 17
1012 XT Amsterdam
020 5251400

http://www.crea.uva.nl/index.php?cat_id=5

In the aftermath of the recently reported violent repression in Bil’in (West Bank) and Sheik Jarrah (East-Jerusalem), the Israeli government once more confirmed its determination to annihilate all solidarity actions gathering Israelis, Palestinians, and internationals (including MPs, academics, NGO workers, etc) who struggle for an end of the occupation and the Gaza blockade. In addition to its countless violations of international law, including the regular illegal arrests of Palestinian leaders of peace movements and its pressuring of many Israeli peace organizations, the Israeli government has now reached a point of no return by killing nine internationals and wounding 36 others[1] in the attack on humanitarian vessels transporting vital aid to Gaza on Monday May 31st. Following this particularly serious episode and anticipating the findings of an impartial and international comprehensive investigation, FFIPP-France and FFIPP-Netherlands raise grave concerns about unlawful and excessive use of force.

In view of the above, and aware of the complexity of the democratic challenges in the Middle East as well as promoting a just and negotiated regional solution in accordance with its educational goals, FFIPP-France and FFIPP-Netherlands calls for:

-       The creation of an independent and impartial investigation about the May 31st assault – under the supervision of the international community;

-       The end of the Gaza blockade

-       The end of the occupation of the Palestinian territory

-       Diplomatic repercussions including the suspension of all international and transnational agreements with Israel (OECD membership, EU bilateral agreements, etc) until full compliance with human rights clauses is achieved.

For more information about the programs developed by Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, please visit:

www.ffipp-france.com

http://ffippnl.wordpress.com/

Tuesday 23 March / doors open 20:00, start 20.30 hrs

Entrance: free for students, 5 euros for non-students
Location: CREA, Turfdraagsterpad 17, Amsterdam

Presentations by and panel discussion with:

- Tania Hary, Director International Relations at Israeli Human Rights Organization Gisha
- Lucy Royal-Dawson, Project Coordinator at Equalinrights, former coordinator of the Right to Education Campaign at the An-Najah National University in Nablus and PhD student on the right to education during conflicts

Together with many human rights organizations, Gisha has persistently emphasized the obligations of Israel to ensure the free movement of people and goods in the occupied Palestinian territories. Particularly regretful is the prevention of Gazan students to take up funded places at universities outside Gaza as a consequence of the continuous blockade of the Gaza Strip. In addition, Operation Cast Lead (December 2008 – January 2009) caused immense human suffering and severely disrupted the infrastructure and educational system in the Gaza Strip. But also in the West Bank, students are directly affected by the Israeli restrictions. This observation leads us to the question: To what extent are students in Gaza and the West Bank prevented from exercising their right to higher education – enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?

During a panel discussion, the speakers will review the circumstances in the Palestinian territories under which students exercise their right to education. Some of the issues which will be addressed:

- What is ‘the right to education’? – What is Israel’s responsibility as occupying power? – How does the right to freedom of movement relate to the right to education? – What are the consequences of Operation Cast Lead for the educational system in Gaza? – What are existing obstacles for students to seek higher education in the West Bank? – How will the consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the educational system affect the Palestinian society in the long term? – What is the role of human rights organizations like Gisha, and the international community, in this matter?

This event is organized by The Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, the Netherlands (FFIPP-NL) in cooperation with A Different Jewish Voice (Een Ander Joods Geluid), Gate48 and Sivmo. For more information, visit www.ffippnl.wordpress.com, www.ffipp.org, www.gisha.org, www.equalinrights.org, www.eajg.nl, www.gate48.org and www.sivmo.nl

Each session offers:
- A five-day orientation program. The orientation week will take place in Israel and the West Bank and includes visits to and meetings in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Bil’in, Ramallah, Nazareth, as well as in kibbutzim, refugee camps and settlements around Jerusalem. This will be a very educative and informative experience, but also a great opportunity for you to meet and get to know the other FFIPP interns from all over the world.
- A one-month internship/ volunteering position with a partner organisation (an NGO, a research program, a cultural institution etc.) in Israel or the Palestinian territories (West-Bank).
- Meetings with Palestinians and Israeli students committed to peace and justice
- Supervision before, during and after the internship session by FFIPP coordinators (including a preparation week-end in France with mandatory attendance, distribution of an “Intern Guide” before the programme, several moments for reflection and evaluation.

Conditions:
FFIPP will take care of all orientation week expenses (transportation, accommodation) as well as the costs of accommodation during the internship period. However, expenses for food and transportation during the internship period is the student’s responsibility and as well as the costs of transport to and from Israel.

Subscription to a personal insurance is mandatory.

Partner organisations offer internship or volunteering positions in the following areas:

- Animation, projects with children
- French and English classes
- Grassroots work (eg. women’s rights, farmers union, Bedouin rights)
- Art related projects
- Human Rights
- Development, Environment
- Fundingraising for research, organisation’s development
- Research (eg. law, journalism, urbanism, social sciences)

The content of the work will vary (from animation to research activity) but the emphasis lies on the human character of the experience the program offers, and the opportunity to attempt to grasp the complexity of the Middle-Eastern conflict on the ground.
The student will need to be aware of the fact that although there will be a possibility to contribute to the work of the host organisation, the program represents above all an opportunity to learn.

NB: The current situation does not allow us to send interns to the Gaza strip.

Applications:
Please go to http://ffipp-france.com/stages/the-internship-program-in-english/ and fill in and send the application form by April 9th 2010 to the following address: internships2010@ffipp-france.com
Please note that your application needs to be written in English. Failure to respect the instructions (e.g. space limitations per question) will result in the denial of your application without consideration.

The FFIPP team will decide which partner organization the student will be working with, while taking into account the preferences of the student.
Interviews (in French and English) will take place in April. The final list of successful candidates will be decided on by April 26th.

Please note that a preparation week-end will take place a few weeks preceding the departure, and the attendance of the selected students will be mandatory.

For more information, please contact internships2010@ffipp-france.com

We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming activities. More information follows soon!