A unique and important forum happening in Hobart this Thursday offers Tasmanians off all religious backgrounds the opportunity to understand the current and historical conflict in the Holy Land.

In this rare opportunity, representatives of the Palestinian and Israeli Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities come together to discuss the reality of life on the ground for the people of Palestine and Israel, and how they see a possible future peace.

The forum will explore:

  • What is the role of religion in the ongoing violence between Israelis and Palestinians?
  • Are Jews and Muslims historic enemies?
  • What is the role of Palestinian Christians in the Palestinian national movement?

Everyone is strongly encouraged to take this valuable opportunity to better understand the region by learning from people with lived experience.

Thursday 1 May 2025, 18:30

Moonah Arts Centre, 23-27 Albert Rd, Moonah

To book a ticket: Visit Humanitix Who Owns the Holy Land – Hobart

About the Panelists

Yousef Alreemawi is a Palestinian musician, scholar and linguist who founded ASPIRE, an NGO that has settled more than 250 Palestinian refugees from Iraq and Syria in Australia since 2007. He is the founder and director of the Averroes Centre for Arab Culture and presenter of the Understanding Palestine series of public lectures on the history of the Palestinian national movement.

Nachshon Amir is a former Israeli army combat officer who was raised in a religious nationalist family but has been an outspoken advocate and active member of Free Palestine Melbourne (FPM) for the past four years.

Suzan Wahhab is the President of Palestinian Christians and Australia and has worked tirelessly on behalf of Palestinian refugees and survivors of the Gaza genocide for the past sixteen months. Her relatives were among the founders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine following their expulsion from Jaffa and Ramleh in 1948.

The forum will be moderated by PIEN Project Officer and FPM activist Michael Shaik, who was one of the founding members of the Free Gaza movement to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip and has commented on Israeli-Palestinian affairs for The Age, The Australian, The Canberra Times, ABC Radio National and SBS television and radio.

Who is PIEN?

The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network Inc (PIEN) is a network of Australian Christians and supporters, seeking lasting peace and justice for the people of Palestine and Israel.

The organisation:

  • Encourages and equips Australian churches to promote peace and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel, inspired by Christ’s vision for universal reconciliation;
  • Educates Australian churches and the wider public on human rights issues in Palestine and Israel;
  • Seeks public policy change in Australia;
  • Influences public opinion and advances public debate;
  • Encourages theological discussion and practical action;
  • Expresses solidarity with Palestinian Christians and with others who genuinely seek peace and justice for all Palestinians and Israelis;
  • Works alongside like-minded organisations in Australia and overseas.

Tasmanian Times is participating in the Local & Independent News Association’s (LINA) national donation drive for independent newsrooms in Australia.

The campaign will run all week, from 28 April to 4 May,

As always we’re busy doing what we do: publishing community stories by and for Tasmanians for over twenty-two years.

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