Acclaimed author Sandy Tolan, whose scheduled involvement in a unique peacebuilding project last year raised concerns about controversial speakers engaging in dialogue with local Israel and Palestine advocacy groups, is scheduled to speak in Winnipeg on Nov. 19 as part of The Uniter/Mouseland Press Speaker Series.

The project was instigated through the Institute for Community Peacebuilding (ICP), an organization affiliated with Menno Simons College that deals with identity group conflict, to create positive dialogue between groups who have differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the Jewish Students’ Association (JSA) and Canada Palestine Support Network (CanPalNet).

Discussing Tolan’s book, The Lemon Tree, was part of the peacebuilding plan. It was chosen because it serves as a good introduction to the issue, according to Bassam Hozaima, member of CanPalNet-Winnipeg.

Samantha Loxton, director of campus life for the JSA agreed, adding that the book promoted listening to narratives on both sides of the conflict.

Both groups were excited to engage in the project, said David Pankratz, the director of the ICP. Part of the project involved bringing Tolan to Winnipeg to engage with the groups and the wider community over seven speaking engagements.

“The central purpose was to host an event that would bring as wide a range of people out as possible, to plan something together, to be at it together and then to participate in an ongoing project,” Pankratz said.

But once members of the JSA were made aware of newspaper columns that Tolan had written about Israel’s 2006 attacks on Gaza, they withdrew from the project.

“ For any project in which JSA is involved, it is imperative that we investigate who we are supporting to ensure that the integrity of the project is not tainted.

Samantha Loxton, JSA

The JSA decided from his journalism that Tolan was disrespectful to the Israeli side, said Loxton.

“For any project in which JSA is involved, it is imperative that we investigate who we are supporting to ensure that the integrity of the project is not tainted,” she said.

Yet concerns about Tolan were not widely held by all those involved.

“My understanding was it wasn’t a widespread opposition, but just a small group of opposition. Organizers got spooked and backed away from it,” said Hozaima.

Hozaima also expressed concern that the JSA’s refusal to engage with other groups and with Tolan is indicative of an inability to find common ground when it comes to local advocacy groups that deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“This is consistent with a pattern, where the bigger issue is overlooked and the focus is placed on a particular event or person regardless of what has been done to build bridges,” said Hozaima.

Personally, Pankratz wished that Tolan be judged more for The Lemon Tree, rather than by his journalism. Concerns over Tolan’s words being taken out of context were raised by both Pankratz and Hozaima.

Pankratz also noted that controversial speakers can be beneficial in creating dialogue between conflicting identity groups, as long as all sides are allowed to engage with these speakers.

Loxton added that the JSA does not plan any organized action for Tolan’s upcoming speaking event.

Published in Volume 64, Number 10 of The Uniter (November 5, 2009)