Palestinian activists to discuss nonviolent resistance

Palestinian activists Mohammad Khatib and Feryal Abu Haikal speak about the nonviolent struggle of Palestinians at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, in the Edmund S. Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave., Bates College. Cosponsored by the Mushahada Association, the Multicultural Center, Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine and the politics department, the talk is open to the public free of charge.

A leading opponent of the Israeli separation barrier, Khatib is a prominent member of Bil’in’s Popular Committee Against the Wall and the secretary of Bil’in’s Village Council. Khatib has been arrested and wounded by the Israeli military during nonviolent protests. He is quoted frequently in the Palestinian, Israeli and international media and his writing has been published in the International Herald Tribune.

Haikal recently retired after 11 years as the headmistress at the Kortuba School in the heart of Hebron’s old city. The school serves 100 Palestinian children in grades 1-10 and has become a model of nonviolent resistance. A lifelong resident of Tel Rumeida and the mother of 11 children, Haikal says she has remained in her home with her family despite efforts by settlers to take over their property. She says that she and her family have been attacked and harassed by settlers, and her husband and sons arrested by the Israel military, simply for insisting on remaining in their homes.