Structural Violence in Gaza: Mohammed Omer tours New York

Mohammed Omer, the award-winning Palestinian journalist from Gaza, has embarked on a speaking tour in New York, titled ‘Structural Violence in Gaza’. This is his fourth speaking tour in the United States, and it will focus mainly on daily life under Israeli siege. Dates and locations of the speaking tour can be found at the bottom of this article.

Multiple award-winning journalist

Mohammed Omer was awarded the 2007 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism in 2008. In the award citation, Omer was honored as “the voice of the voiceless” and his reports were described as a “humane record of the injustice imposed on a community forgotten by much of the world.” Omer was also awarded the Ossietzky-prize by Norwegian P.E.N in 2009. The Prize was awarded for “outstanding achievements within the field of free expression”.

A difficult life

Mohammed Omer is definitely the right person to talk about the tragedies of the life of Palestinians in Gaza, since he has been exposed to the hardships of Israeli aggression on numerous occasions. Omer has had a tragic life back at home in Gaza. Mohammed’s brother was killed in 2003 by an Israeli sniper and nine days later an Israeli bulldozer crushed the family home.

His mother was severely wounded, an injury from which she was still suffering three years later. Almost all of Mohammed’s siblings have been injured by Israeli military forces. In 2008, Mohammad Omer was severely beaten by Israeli troops while coming back to the Gaza Strip after receiving his Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism. He almost died in the attacks due to the severity of his injuries, and he is still in the process of recovery.

The speaking tour

Mohammed’s speaking tour basically has four themes: the siege, the life, the crisis and the land. He will talk about what it’s like to grow up and live under occupation and, he will speak specifically about daily life under siege in Gaza. Omer will describe his interviews with fishermen, flower growers, farmers, students, journalists, mothers and fathers trying to survive. He will also show photos of daily life in Gaza.

Omer will discuss how Palestinians in Gaza are coping without electricity, water, fuel, sewage treatment, and adequate health care or building materials in the harshness of the ruthless Gazan winter. The people of Gaza can’t fix water tanks, windows, and doors damaged by bombs or shells during Israel’s attack since Israel forbids access to reconstruction supplies. Winter rains and floods will make life even more hellish for Palestinians in Gaza this winter unless border restrictions are lifted.

In addition to the crippling blockade on basic supplies, there appears to be a blockade on news reports from Gaza. Omer will to continue his efforts to bring a voice for the voiceless in Gaza, and for all the Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

Tour dates and locations

March 2, 2011, 7 PM
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ
sponsored by the Princeton Middle East Society, Interfaith Network for Understanding.
Main Lounge in Mackay Campus Center, Princeton Seminary

March 3rd , 201, 7 PM
Temple University , speaking together with Julia Hurley.
1801 North Broad Street, Conwell Hall 103
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122-6096

March 4th, 2011, 7 PM
Riverside Church, NYC
490 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10027-5788
(212) 870-6700. Subway: 116 St – Columbia University

March 5th, 2011 from 11-4PM
Stony Point Center
Allison House 142 W. Main St. Stony Point, NY. (reservation required, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb )
This event is co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace Westchester,
The Fellowship of Reconciliation and The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.