This is one of this sites entries for The Rachel Corrie Foundation’s 2006 Peace Works Conference.
PALESTINE FOR BEGINNERS is a fast-moving guide to the roots of conflict, the key historical and current events, and the characters and motivations behind the ongoing crisis.
For several years, as the situation has changed, Linda Bevis and Ed Mast have developed, presented, and updated this fast-moving presentation of the roots of conflict, the key historical and current events, and the characters and motivations behind the ongoing crisis.
An attorney and high school world history teacher, Linda Bevis lived for several years in the West Bank working with a human rights organization.
Ed Mast is a playwright and performer whose play SAHMATAH, co-written with Hanna Eady, has played in the Middle East and Europe since 1998. Linda and Ed have done human rights work, together and separately, in Northern Ireland, Central America and the former Soviet Union, and in 2002 they jointly received the annual human rights award of the United Nations Association of Seattle.
They are among the co-founders of Palestine Information Project, a Seattle organization which creates educational materials and presentations about human rights issues in Israel/Palestine and about the US role in the conflict.
“I actually fought off tears more than once during the presentation. I am determined to carry this message forward and will do my best to give my heart to the spirit behind this effort. — Mark B. Wilson
“The longer I have reflected on your presentation.the more I am convinced that it was the single most useful, concise, interesting and complete discussion of the topic I have encountered in several years of paying close attention to Palestine/Israel issues.” — Bruce Bowden