Dr. Ahmad Al-Tibi began the session, “Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Dialectic of Identity and Citizenship” by discussing how standing in solidarity with the Syrian people and people all over the world is a must because every person has the right to be free.

“Reclaiming Our Narrative: Unveiling Zionism and understanding Palestinian History” highlighted the various ways in which the Palestinian narrative has been described in the past century.

During the session, “Palestinian Rights, International Law, and Zionist Claims,” discussed the ways in which international law can be used to counter claims against the Palestinians right to their land.

Activists and journalists Rania Khalek and Max Geller led a workshop on the ways that activists have faced false accusations of anti-semitism because of their Palestine solidarity activism.

On Thursday, the Northwestern University and Evanston community gathered to listen to Ali Abunimah —acclaimed Palestinian-American author and founder of the Electronic Intifada —present on “Palestinian Uprising: The Question of Resistance.”

This year’s annual Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) fundraising gala, which took place in Beverly Hills, California last Thursday, was attended by 1,200 people, who raised $31 million for the organization.

On Saturday, the United Holy Land Fund (UHLF) hosted its 47th annual fundraising dinner in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where it raised $140,000.

The Coalition for Justice in Palestine held a ‘Mawtini’ demonstration in downtown Chicago on Friday night.

Palestine in America (PiA) held a launch party for its first annual magazine last week at DePaul University and was joined by more than 100 people to celebrate Palestinian culture in the United States. The night was mixed with inspiring performances and a Palestinian produced documentary.

Arwa Abdallah, an active member of American Muslims for Palestine’s (AMP)Chicago chapter, was one of dozens of organizers who worked to make the first-ever Palestinian Heritage Parade in downtown Chicago a reality.

This past weekend, Aug. 22—24, the Watani Chicago Festival brought the Arab culture to Bridgeview, the south west suburb just outside of Chicago. It also brought well deserved awareness to the crisis throughout Palestine, primarily in Gaza.