Global Arab Network | Palestinian peace activist - A Reading of... Bassam

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Palestinian peace activist - A Reading of... Bassam

Global Arab Network - - Hannan Taha

Thursday, 11 June 2009 14:50

The reading of BASSAM, written and directed by Idan Meir based on the true story of Palestinian peace activist Bassam Aramin.
Through the reading of the play we are seeking funding for Palestinian peace activist Bassam Aramin for an MA in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford. Bassam is well known in Palestine and Israel as an outspoken defender of Palestinian rights and a prominent campaigner for peace and justice for Palestinian and Israeli people.

Synopsis
On the night before departing to accept the prestigious award for peace from the European parliament, the son of Bassam Aramin, co- founder of "Combatants for Peace", threatens his father. If he accepts the award instead of revenging the death of his daughter, shot in the back of her head allegedly by an Israeli border policeman.
Bassam would find himself with an honorable award but without a trace of his son. Aramin, ex-Fatah, who spent most of his adolescence in Israeli prisons, finds himself alone, shocked and confused.
His son left him with the names of four Israeli soldiers suspects in his daughter's death, a loaded gun in his hand, and a thirst for revenge that does not belong to him. Would he revenge on behalf of his son? Would he continue his quest for peace and yet again jeopardize the sanctity of his family?

The play, based on the story of nine-year-old Abir Aramin's death, reveals to the viewer a portal to the mind and soul of a grieved Palestinian father, trying to bridge through the pain, the humiliation and the insult of the arbitrary reasonless everyday reality from across the Wall.

About Bassam
Born in 1967 into a large family close to Hebron, Palestine, Bassam now lives in the Anata Refugee Camp, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Since 1992 he has campaigned for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine Conflict. He is President of Al-Quds Democracy and Dialogue and co-founder of Combatants for Peace. He co-ordinates a Peres Centre for Peace sports project in the Palestinian Territories.

Personal History
The Israel-Palestine conflict has overshadowed Bassam Aramin's life.
Involved in the Palestinian resistance as a teenager, he spent seven years in an Israeli prison. Released in 1992, Bassam realised that the conflict could not be solved by violence and embarked upon an ambitious project of dialogue and direct involvement with key players in Israel and Palestine.
Bassam's life collided tragically and brutally with politics, when his 9-year-old daughter Abir was shot and killed allegedly by an Israeli border policeman outside her school. This tragic event resonated around the world.
Despite this horrific incident, Bassam strengthened his vision of a peaceful solution and remained committed to his activism.

Commitment to Peace
Aramin has demonstrated a lasting commitment to peace in the Middle East.
His personal history of the conflict, uniquely qualifies him to speak out for Palestinian human rights and self-determination, while putting aside differences and reaching out to former enemies demonstrated by his tireless work for the remarkable organisation Combatants for Peace. He is a regular speaker in Israeli and Palestinian schools and universities and is invited to speak in the Unites States and Europe, including at the European Parliament.

Benefits of studying in the UK
Completing an MA in the world renowned Peace Studies Department at Bradford University will allow Bassam to become a professional in the area of conflict resolution. This fantastic opportunity will enable Bassam to contribute to high-level decision-making organisations in the Middle East.
Your help towards Bassam's studies will further his remarkable contribution to non-violent conflict resolution which has already earned him three international peace prizes. All we now need is to raise sufficient funds to allow him to take up the offer for September 2009.

Global Arab Network

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