“Speaking Out” took place as part of the 8th Annual National Organizers’ Conference of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a national coalition of more than 300 organizations working to change U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine to support human rights, international law, and equality.

Each year, member groups of the US Campaign meet to discuss strategies and tactics for changing U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine. This year’s conference focused on changing U.S. policy in the Obama era, expanding the boycott and divestment work of the US Campaign, and strategies for breaking the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip.

The event featured spoken word by Washington, D.C. artist Tala Abu Rahmeh as well as a dinner featuring traditional Middle Eastern fare; Prof. Rashid Khalidi, Director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University, and Omar Barghouti, Palestinian political commentator and human rights activist, were the featured speakers.  In addition, the event featured a special recorded message from Father Miguel d’Escoto, President of the United Nations General Assembly, on the last night of his term of office.

Listen in as Khalidi and Barghouti address how U.S. policy and the global movement for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel affect prospects for peace in Israel/Palestine. In the aftermath of Israel’s December-January attacks on the Gaza Strip, and with the election of President Barack Obama, the American public has once again focused its attention on the region. Khalidi and Barghouti provide insights into how U.S. citizens can work to create real change in Israel/Palestine.

Recorded Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Chicago Temple.