First impression

Nearly a month ago, my friends, who are members of Sharek Youth Forum told me about this project called "Gaza exchange". The project, which is sponsored by Tida in association with Sharek, puts some serious issues on the table for the Palestinian youth to debate. First time I went there, we had a debate about "Non-violent resistance". It is a very sensitive and controversial topic for the Palestinians. In that session, we were mostly university students. It was very democratic; we agreed, and disagreed, but the thing is I am sure of is that I have learned something new from each participant who spoke. The heated discussion widened my horizons, provoked my thinking, and more importantly gave me a chance to listen and speak up. The topic left home with me despite the fact that I had exams coming up. I often think about the debate and still think about the whole issue of "non-violent" resistance. Then our final exams started and we had a break from our "Tida" activities.

Friday's Q and A

Since I study English Literature, the name Noam Chomsky is familiar to me since my linguistic teacher is a big fan of him. Moreover, any Palestinian interested in the international debate about the conflict would have read something by Chomsky.

Our supervisor hinted in "the before exam" session that in the coming days many speakers are going to be hosted via video conference. Professor Noam Chomsky was hosted last Friday via video conference along with MIT students in the US. When I read the event on Facebook, I got really excited. Such intellectual meetings are very rare, however; Tida's "Gaza  Exchange" is breaking from the norm. We were around 40-50  people, mostly students. When it was time for the questions, many hands were raised.  Due to the time limitation, not all of us got the chance to ask him. However, I was lucky enough to get picked. I asked about the haunting issue of "non-violent" resistance and whether it works to change facts on the ground or not, in the light of the growing popular support for the Palestinian cause on one hand, and the BDS movement on the other.

After Mr. Chomsky left, we chatted a little bit with our counterparts at the MIT. At 7:15 pm, the session was over leaving with me good memories, new knowledge, and a new experience that I deeply appreciate.

Why I am so into "Gaza Exchange"

As mentioned before, here in Gaza we severely lack intellectual debates due to the mental siege imposed on us. I might be exaggerating when I say that last Friday in a way or another we figuratively broke the siege, at least the mental siege. Such sessions, discussions and workshops are of high importance to me. For now the "Gaza Exchange" project is a big priority in my life, as much like the university or even more, because it serves me as a girl who seeks to learn, but faces setbacks, because there is no way out. Moreover, a girl who seeks to speak up, but no one is there to listen to her. Now, once a topic is suggested or a person hosted, I try to read to prepare for the next meeting-(something I voluntary and happily do at Tida). "Bringing the world to Gaza, and Gaza to the world" is the project's motto. This is something I work on and I blog about as I live in Gaza. Now I am being helped by this wonderful project.

Watch Chomsky 's discussion below: 

This piece was cross-posted from Live From Gaza.

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