Group hosts local 'Crisis in Palestine' conversation

Elizabeth Brewer, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
·1 min read

Nov. 15—TRAVERSE CITY — A group is hosting a community discussion tonight called "Crisis in Palestine and U.S. and Media Complacency."

The event will take place at the Traverse Area District Library on Woodmere Avenue in Traverse City. It's scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature three guest speakers via Zoom, a statement from their co-founder and a video message from Jewish Voice for Peace.

Discussion organizers are from "MidEast:JustPeace," who defined their group's mission as "providing a voice for Palestinian resistance and anti-Occupation Israelis and Americans."

Library officials said the event is not sponsored or hosted by them and that they often rent out meeting space for events.

In a statement on the group's social media page, they said the purpose of tonight's event is for "a peaceful, respectful uplifting of Palestinian and Jewish voices for cease-fire, justice, and a lasting peace."

Traverse City Police Department's Investigative Services Department Capt. Keith Gillis said he has received some calls expressing concern about the event, but they hadn't received any legitimate threats as of Tuesday morning.

"We've been monitoring the event and, obviously, we will have an officer presence at the event," he said. "We want to make sure that both sides are safe."

Gillis added that the depart- ment's goal is to keep the discussion civil. "We've heard complaints from both sides and no threats of anything violent or anything like that. We will be there to monitor it."

According to a flyer about the event, the program will conclude with a group discussion about what Michiganders can do to help.