Palestinian promotes nonviolent resistance in Middle East

Touring psychologist carries his message to Modesto church

By EMILIE RAGUSO
eraguso@modbee.com

last updated: June 28, 2008 02:27:56 PM

Palestinian psychologist and professor Mubarak Awad visited Modesto on Thursday with a message of hope about peace in the Middle East.

Modesto was Awad's most recent stop on a lecture and training circuit that has included Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Singapore and Burma during the past six months.

Awad, 64, who is based outside Washington, D.C., has been called "the Gandhi of the Middle East" for his emphasis on nonviolent resistance. While his training began with Palestinians struggling for independence from Israel, Awad has since expanded his scope, offering training around the world.

Several months ago, he was in Iraq, he said. He met a man whose son had been shot and killed by soldiers after the boy filled a toy gun with water and took it outside to play, Awad said. After the boy's death, the father had begun a campaign to collect all the toy guns in his town, exchanging them with children for soccer balls. Awad gave the man the $500 he needed to start the campaign. Children started to bring in real guns to exchange for balls, Awad said. The father has since approached city and district officials to try to stop the sale of toy guns in local shops.

"This is how we train somebody to do something very practical, very simple," Awad said. "He's doing that for the sake of his kid. But it's also for the sake of all the children in his community."

Awad spoke to about 35 people Thursday night at Church of the Brethren. He gave his audience an overview about the Palestinian- Israeli conflict: how it started, where it stands and what might bring resolution. He advocates a two-state solution that would give Palestinians independence and Israelis more security.

"Israel and Palestine have both reached the point where the population is ready for a solution," he said. "They're waiting for a leadership that's ready for a compromise."

Awad was born in East Jerusalem in 1943 and earned his doctorate in psychology in the United States. He has worked with youth since the 1970s. In the early 1980s, he started a counseling center in Jerusalem. In 1985, he opened the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence there.

When the first Intifada broke out in 1987, he was among a group of leaders who promoted nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

He suggests many methods. Awad has taught people to stand in front of bulldozers to protest the building of a wall between the West Bank and Israel or to gather at checkpoints to protest the difficulties Palestinians face in getting around the country. Israel says these methods are necessary for the security of its population, but Palestinians say they violate basic human rights.

Awad also has encouraged Palestinians to boycott Israeli foods and goods and to stop paying taxes.

In 1989, he founded Nonviolence International in Washington, D.C., after Israel deported him because, he said, "they realized my training was more powerful than a bomb."

Awad says Palestinians and Israelis are suffering from weak leadership. If their leaders would commit to peace, the people would follow, he said.

He said he's seen progress. When he left the region in 1988, there was one organization devoted to nonviolent means. Today, there are more than 30, he said. It's not uncommon, he added, to see Israeli Jews standing with Palestinians to protest Israel's policies.

"We can reach this agreement if we take the fear out and push the element of trust. It's amazing how that works," he said. "What I'm interested in is bringing hope for families without using guns or sheer power. Israel says, 'We have the guns, so you must listen.' But that's not working. We are not giving up."

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.

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