Hanan Awwad, Palestinian Poet and Activist

Hanan Awwad is a fervent advocate of Palestinian independence as well as a scholar, writer, and poet. A graduate of McGill University, she is head of the Department of Cultural Studies and the Department of Humanities at the College of Science and Technology in Jerusalem. In 1988, Dr. Awwad founded the Palestinian section of WILPF, where she works tirelessly for peace and an end to Israel’s occupation. In her role as chair of the PEN Centre, she has fought for freedom of speech and the protection of persecuted writers. She also takes part every year in conferences all over the world adressing issues such as imperialism, conflict resolution, and the role of women in promoting peace in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Dr. Awwad's literary work deals with the role of women, in particular during the Intifada. Her poems connect themes of persecution, oppression, and suffering to love and the quest for solidarity. She believes that the chief obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is Israel's violation of international law, its refusal to abide by United Nations Security Council resolutions, and its denial of Palestinian human rights. Dr. Awwad's message is especially relevant in the light of former President Jimmy Carter's recent trip to the Middle East, where he secured a pledge from Hamas leaders to abide by any peace agreement with Israel ratified by a vote of the Palestinian people.

Cosponsored by Womens International League for Peace and Freedom - Peninsula Branch and Peninsula Peace and Justice Center.