Reclaiming Space: The Palestinian Right of Return Doha Debate

The Palestinian Right of Return Doha Debate

April 18th, 2007 — peoplesgeography *** View it here and google video (below)

The Palestinian Right of Return was considered 28 March 2007 at the Doha Debates, a public forum for dialogue in Qatar.

The speakers were invited to respond to the debate proposition: ‘This House Believes That Palestinians Should Give Up Their Full Right of Return‘

Yossi Beilin, a Knesset member and Chairman of the Meretz-Yachad party and Bassem Eid, of the Palestine Human Rights Monitoring Group argued for the motion.

Israeli academic Ilan Pappe and Ali Abunimah, cofounder of The Electronic Intifada and the son of Palestinian refugees, challenged the motion.

Moderator Tim Sebastian as always plays devil’s advocate vigorously.

It screened on the BBC last weekend and is now finally on the web.

Over 80% of the Doha Debate audience voted for the team who argued against the motion.

See also EI for an exchange between Bassem Eid and Ali Abunimah. A podcast page of all Doha Debates can be found here.

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There is an interesting open discussion at the comments section between peoplesgeography and Emmanuel