In the monthly programme Wednesday Dialogue, Raftohuset arranged a seminar
about Palestine. The seminar was held on the 2nd of June, with the title “Palestine – the Lost Land, the Palestinians from one tent to another”. Around 40 people attended the seminar and took part in the discussions on Palestine: the land, the people, the humanity and the hope. (11-JUN-2004)
Demolished house, Palestine
Presentation.
Ayman Abu Mustafa (M.Phil in History from University of Bergen & M.A in Middle E. Studies from Birzeit University, Palestine) made this presentation, with attendance of 45 persons. Ayman started his presentation with a brief history of Palestine, from the Canaanites civilization (3000 B.C) till our present days which was documented by several maps and photos.
Then he showed many photos about the destroyed villages in Palestine, which were demolished by the Isrealis in 1948. Moreover, Ayman gave valuable information about the Palestinian cities and villages before its destruction in 1948, which reflected the development of Palestinian society before al-Nakba (the Catastrophe in 1948). This catastrophe led the transfer of 900,000 Palestinians from their homeland to the Diaspora and also led to the problem of the Palestinian refugees. Ayman at the end of his presentation made a comparison between the situation of the refugees in 1948 and the current situation, specially the refugees in Gaza Strip as a study case.
Open Discussion
After a long presentation there was an open discussion about Palestine. Many questions were raised about the root of Palestinian conflict and the rights of Palestinian people according to the international law and U.N resolutions.
Film
A documentary film with the title Gaza Strip closed the seminar. The film reflects the Palestinian daily life under the occupation in Gaza Strip.