An expert on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and Israeli settlements will discuss “Middle East Peace and Politics” on Thursday as part of Social Justice Week.
Lara Friedman, director of policy and government relations for Americans for Peace Now (APN), will discuss Israel and its political relations with Palestine at 11 a.m. in Olin Auditorium.
The event is sponsored by J Street U Kenyon, and the group’s co-chair, Julie Hartman ’15 of East Williston, New York, said Friedman’s talk will cover contemporary issues relating to human rights and U.S. foreign policy. “Kenyon maintains established communities of both Palestinian students and Jewish students with ties to Israel,” Hartman said. “Friedman's work with APN is relevant to a political issue that resonates very personally with students on this campus.”
Based in Washington, D.C., APN is a pro-Israel political organization dedicated to peace through legislation and diplomacy. The group supports the creation of Palestine as an independent state and seeks an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Friedman is a prominent voice for the organization and often serves as a guest commentator for the news media. She is a former member of the U.S. Foreign Service.
By Nina Zimmerman ’14