Miko Peled went from being a Zionist and patriotic Israeli to a pro-Palestinian peace activist, he says, once he discovered Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Peled, the author of the memoir The General’s Son, is coming to the University of Victoria to talk about his journey in a speech entitled Beyond Zionism: A New Paradigm for Palestine/Israel.
“Israel is so segregated, as an Israeli you’re not exposed to that, you don’t see Palestinians anywhere,” says Peled, who currently lives in the US.
Peled will be speaking about his experiences with the conflict in Israel and what he feels is necessary for Israel to gain real democracy. He says that in order for the land to be shared, both sides need to have equal rights and the opportunity to flourish under one mutually beneficial government.
“My solution would be to allow everyone equal rights and establish a state that’s not a Jewish state for all of its citizens, and allow everybody to vote,” says Peled. “It would first of all take recognition that it’s okay there won’t be a Jewish state. In fact, it’s better for everybody if there’s not.”
After three attempts, Peled was recently able to enter Gaza by tunnel and saw for himself where two million Palestinians currently live. He was amazed by what he says are harsh living conditions and dwindling resources due to restrictions placed on Palestinians by Israeli law.
“The uncertainty of whether your home is going to be next, or whose children will be killed next, it’s horrific,” he says. “Then, on the other hand, you see life going on… trying to make the best of an impossible situation.”
Peled says Gaza has the potential to be a flourishing place if restrictions are lifted. He claims positive change is possible, not only in our lifetimes, but in the next few years if people will act for the good of the Palestinian people, starting here in North America.
“It’s doable in all of our lifetimes; it’s not something that is like a nature disaster, or a famine, or something,” he says. “These are all conditions created by people and conditions that can be changed by people.”
Miko Peled: Beyond Zionism
7 pm, Friday, February 8
David Strong Building, Room C103, UVic, $4-$8
cjpme.org