Students will have the opportunity tonight to participate in an open discussion regarding how the latest war in Gaza began.
Stephen Lloyd-Moffett, a professor for the Cal Poly Religious Studies Program, will present “The War for Gaza: Why Now? What Now?” to discuss the causes of conflict and the implications for long-term peace.
“I think for many people on this campus, the conflict in Israel is a bit of an enigma,” Lloyd-Moffett said. “It seems fighting erupts every few years and we don’t seem to understand why or how it will end.”
A main goal of the lecture is to analyze why the latest conflict is occuring, when it started and how to navigate to peace, Lloyd-Moffett said.
Another goal is to offer people with different views a forum to talk about the conflict in a productive and respectful way.
The Cal Poly Israel Alliance, Hillel of San Luis Obispo and Students for Justice and Peace in the Middle East are co-sponsoring the event.
The Cal Poly Israel Alliance seeks to promote pro-Israel attitudes and inform the student body about issues pertaining to Israel while Students for Justice and Peace in the Middle East aims to promote awareness of Middle Eastern issues.
Though their views often differ, they worked together to organize this event.
“Both organizations really want to see peace and calm in the Middle East,” said Jacob Kory, electrical engineering senior and president of the Cal Poly Israel Alliance. “Almost mirroring what we want to see in the Middle East, both organizations are trying to work together, trying to hold meaningful events for Cal Poly students and the community at large in order to build a bridge between the two groups.”
The organizations agreed that having a mutual understanding is a necessary step towards creating peace in the Middle East. “I think this lecture is going to help students understand the conflict at large,” Kory said. “This conflict has been going on for far too long and it’s really deep-rooted animosity between Palestinians and Israelis, so seeing things in a more diplomatic sense will give more sympathy to people who are examining it.”
Lloyd-Moffett hopes students will view debates and discussions differently after the event.
“What I’m hoping is that students will set an example of how you don’t necessarily agree with everyone with whom you speak, but you can agree that there is value in discussion and learning from each other,” he said.
“The War for Gaza: Why Now? What Now?” will be presented tonight at 8 in Philips Hall located behind the Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.