The UCL Israel-Palestine Initiative, a student-staff learning and discussion project, gathered nearly 50 attendees at its first meeting last Monday.
Dr Julie Norman, IPI’s founder and convenor described it as “a hub for convening students from all backgrounds and perspectives to better discuss, understand, and think critically” through “diverse learning events and nuanced conversations”.
As pro-Palestinian student mobilisation continues on campus such as recent protests at the careers fair that called on UCL to divest from complicit arms companies, the IPI is the first attempt by faculty staff at constructive debate.
The success of the first meeting, where students listened to one another despite their apparent disagreements, is an encouraging start to this brave initiative.
Ahead of the meeting, Dr Norman reminded all attendees to live up to the “respectful and collegial” environment the IPI promotes.
The meeting began with a lecture on the history of Israel and Palestine from the Roman Empire to the present day in which Norman strived to provide the different conflicting versions of events and terminologies when necessary.
It was followed by a compelling Q&A where students notably asked about the use of language in the media and the lecture, the instrumentalisation of religious narratives, Israel’s relation with Hamas before October 7, and the contrast between official Israeli motives and actions.
Norman emphasised how every word choice and use of sources was complex considering the high sensitivity of the topic and that the initiative remains open to students’ suggestions.
Through a webform before the meeting, students were able to share what type of events and topics they wanted to see from the IPI.
Its next event, “Israel-Palestine: Grassroots Activism for Conflict Resolution”, will take place Monday 2 December at 6pm in Bentham House LG26.
It will be a panel discussion with four peace activists from the Middle East: a Palestinian, an Israeli, and two from UK organisations.
Dr Julie Norman is an Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at UCL with a focus on “conflict, political violence, Middle East politics, and US foreign policy”.
Having notably published about the Intifadas and the Palestinian prisoners movement, she is currently writing a book on the political history of Gaza.
The Israel-Palestine Initiative is a student-staff project at UCL. Follow it on Instagram at @israel.palestine.initiative.
This article appeared in the Digestive 5
