On Nov. 27, the NYU Abu Dhabi community came together to attend Palestine 101, an annual event organized by “Students for Justice in Palestine” (SJP), a Student Interest Group on campus. With approximately 140 attendees — including Carol Brandt, Associate Vice Chancellor, Global Education and Outreach and Vice Provost — the informative event covered a wide range of topics. From the history of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, to the various contemporary issues in the region, students got a chance to learn more about Palestine and it’s ongoing struggle for independence

“The importance of SJP is primarily to educate the NYUAD community about not only the occupation in Palestine, but the culture of the country and its people,” said an SJP Executive Board Member. “We are aware that many people on campus are not very knowledgeable when it comes to this topic, and we are always working hard to spread awareness and open the floor to dialogue amongst people of different opinions.”

Palestine 101 is the biggest event organized by SJP, followed by Cultural Night. Like previous years, the event started off with an introductory presentation by SJP President Reema El-Kaiali, Class of 2020, and Matilde Handal Rabaj, Class of 2021.

“I think that this event is important in the context of NYUAD because through this event, for those people who are curious but don’t know what the sources … [of] information are, we provide that information,” explained another SJP Executive Board Member. “We really try to cover everything, especially in terms of the history, since the time Zionism started in the late 1800s and up until the recent events of today.”

In the past two years, the structure of the event has changed from a one-hour long presentation format to a more engaging and interactive structure. After the presentation, attendees were encouraged to explore multiple student-led booths to learn more about specific topics they were interested in. The booths included topics such as resistance art, Palestianian women, Gaza and misconceptions about the occupation.

“It’s an event that we put a lot of work and effort in because it changes every year. So, the booths and what we choose to focus on changes every year depending on what we think is most relevant, what we think people would want to learn about and what the people of SJP are passionate about,” stated Kaiali. “I think it’s really cool that people can come to Palestine 101 every year, from their first year to fourth year, and still take something new out of it every time you go.”

Attendees at the event echoed a similar sentiment.

“During my first semester at NYUAD, I went to Palestine 101 knowing only the basics of the conflict and what Palestine is. Although I have learned so much more about Palestine over the past four years, I always learn something new and see something different at the booths,” said Tessa Thornton, Class of 2020. “This year I sat next to a guest who had never been to Palestine 101 and had barely any knowledge of the conflict or the state of Palestine. While he was overwhelmed with the information he had just absorbed, he was appreciative of the members of SJP and glad he came.”

Since the establishment of SJP at NYUAD in 2015, the SIG — which is part of a [larger movement] (https://www.nationalsjp.org/) spread over hundreds of universities in the U.S. — has established a unique legacy on campus, with events ranging from cultural nights and Dabke workshops to hummus-making competitions and informative sessions.

“The current and previous [Executive Boards] have really managed to make a balance between standing up for what we believe in but at the same time, accommodating all that to this campus and its apolitical structure. [The SIG] has really adapted to the needs of the student body,” said an SJP Executive Board Member.

Talking about the future of the SIG and its long term goals, Kaiali expressed her plans and hopes for the upcoming years.

“I just hope the SIG keeps getting bigger and that there are more events going on of different calibers. We also want to do more collaborations with people actually in Palestine,” she stated. “In the grand scheme of things, [I hope] for our work to be meaningful and bring any sort of help or support to the cause by educating and being aware.”