The Harvard University has hosted Dr. Dalal Iriqat, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Graduate studies of the Arab American University, to give a significant lecture on the Palestinian case within the “Middle East Dialogues” series. By this, Dr Iriqat becomes the first Palestinian academician to be hosted at Harvard University since the beginning of the war crimes in Gaza.
The lecture was held with the presence and active participation of more than 150 figures from Harvard University, including students and professors. Dr. Iriqat presented the Palestinian narrative in its historical dimension, affirming her rejection for enclosing the October 7th. She stressed the importance of her participation in the lecture given the great influence of the student community, especially at Harvard University, in making public and foreign policies in the United States of America and around the world.
The participation involved a high order debate between Dr. Iriqat and Professor Tariq Masoud, professor of public policy and democracy who specializes in Middle East affairs at the Kennedy School at Harvard University. The debate focused on the Palestinian case, where both debaters presented their point of view and vision on the challenges and conflicts taking place in the region.
After the debate, the audience had chances to raise questions and discussion. Dr. Iriqat and the attendees exchanged their opinions and questions about the Palestinian case and the challenges it faces. Dr. Iriqat stressed the importance of such meetings, especially within the framework of universities and higher education institutions, as they play a major role in producing knowledge and conveying truthful facts and narratives.
Dr. Iriqat stressed that the occupying state is waging a war against the truth, and is trying by all means to chase voices that defend Palestine in the language of logic, wisdom and law. She also stressed the importance of conveying the Palestinian narrative and revealing the truth about the Israeli military occupation, and the role of this guidance in refuting Israeli propaganda and understanding the roots of conflicts in the Middle East.
Dr. Iriqat's participation comes after she was subjected to an incitement campaign and attempts to cancel her participation in the dialogues hosted by the Kennedy School at Harvard University, through provocation of American-Zionist academic and media channels.
It is of crucial importance to say that the Middle East Dialogues series, organized by the Harvard Kennedy School, is defined as “honest, open, and inquisitive meetings with lively and diverse dimensions on the current conflict, its causes, and the prospects for peace and progress in the region.”