On February 10, 2016, the Human Rights Program (HRP) hosted its first student lunch event of the spring semester at the Roosevelt House, a panel discussion with Israeli human rights activists about the state of the human rights movement in Israel today.

HRP was joined by panelists Michael Sfard, acclaimed human rights lawyer (who recently penned this New York Times OpEd on the topic); Avner Gvaryahu, Director of Public Outreach for Breaking the Silence; and moderator Libby Lenkinski, Vice President for Strategy at the New Israel Fund.

HRP Director Lawrence Moss opened the event, and Hunter College Professors Laura Schor (History) and Jillian Schwedler (Political Science) offered introductory remarks.

The panel discussion covered major human rights issues, the treatment of Israeli human rights defenders, and the challenges facing the movement going forward, and was followed by a Q&A session with engaged students.

One attendee, Hunter College graduate Abe Silberstein, wrote an article about the event for New Voices magazine, calling it “illuminating.” Silberstein’s insightful article–“Dear fellow liberal Zionists: The establishment doesn’t want us”–is well worth a read and can be found here.

Thank you to participating students, faculty, and guests for making the event possible. The Human Rights Program looks forward to continuing to facilitate critical dialogue on current human rights issues.