Unraveling Complexities: Insights from the Brännpunkt Lecture on the Israel and Palestine Conflict

The Brännpunkt lecture on the Israel and Palestine conflict, held on December 5th, provided acomprehensive overview of the historical context, current dynamics, and international responses to this enduring crisis. Jonathan, the moderator, introduced the panelists, Professor Helena Lindholm and Professor Michael Schulz, both renowned figures in peace and development research with a specialization in the Middle East.

Helena Lindholm initiated the discussion by underscoring the protracted nature of the conflict, spanning a century, and particularly highlighting the last 30 years since the Oslo Agreement. Characterizing the region as a "pressure cooker," she presented a map of current conflict areas, shedding light on the intensification of tensions in the autumn of 2022.

Professor Michael Schulz, drawing on his 43 years of experience in the region, provided a nuanced perspective on the conflict. Also using the metaphor of a "pressure cooker," he recounted personal experiences of civil unrest and delved into the emergence of Hamas. Michael traced the group's roots to the 1990s, its electoral success in 2006, and the subsequent erosion of support for the Oslo Agreement. Importantly, he highlighted a current lack of understanding between leaders and the planning of the October 7th attack by Hamas since 2021.

The discussion then turned to the international response, with a focus on the European Union. Michael highlighted the EU's historical support for Palestinians in the 80s, contrasting it with adelayed response from the U.S. He underscored the EU's initial condemnation of Hamas attacks, which later evolved into a less clear position, often aligning with the U.S. Helena further discussed Sweden's evolving stance, noting a shift towards a more pro-Israeli government since November 2022.

Both panelists emphasized the mediatized nature of the conflict, with Helena calling for disclaimers on reports not originating from Gaza. Citing examples of trustworthy media corporations, such as BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Middle East Eye, Al-Shababka, and The New York Times, they stressed the importance of reliable information dissemination.

The audience engaged in a thought-provoking Q&A session. Michael cautioned against theprevalence of propaganda and fake news, urging careful interpretation. Representation forPalestinians not affiliated with Hamas was discussed, with the PLO identified as the legitimate representative. The impact of European governments banning pro-Palestine demonstrations was noted, causing frustration among Palestinians.

Hope for a Solution: Regarding the prospects of a two-state solution, Michael highlighted aparadoxical reality, with the Israeli right-wing government not actively pursuing it. Helena suggested two potential solutions: a two-state approach or a single peaceful state, emphasizing the crucial role of the international community in charting a path forward.

The Brännpunkt lecture provided a comprehensive exploration of the Israel and Palestine conflict, offering historical insights, current analyses, and reflections on international responses. As the lecture concluded, the call to action resonated — an urgent plea for the international community to reevaluate potential solutions in the face of the complex and enduring nature of this deeply entrenched conflict.

Brännpunkt Europa starts EU Podcast in collaboration with K103

your monthly dose of europe — A Brännpunkt europa podcast

We are thrilled to announce that we have just recently launched a podcast in collaboration with K103 Göteborgs Studentradio. The podcast revolves around all things EU-related; politics, law, history and elections, and we brake down complex topics in order to make the European Union more comprehensive and accessible for everyone.

Every episode discusses one specific topic for which we have invited experienced and interesting guests from the University of Gothenburg (and beyond) to share their knowledge, expertise and insights with us and our listeners. So far we have covered a wide range of topics, with more episodes being published every month.

“The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.”
— Robert Schuman, 1950

If you want to find out more about our podcast, visit K103, and feel free to have a listen on Spotify, iTunes or Mixcloud. We also post about newly released episodes on our Instagram so give us a follow to not miss any episodes.

Preserving Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflict

A Case Study of SUCHO by Dr. Andreas Segerberg

In the face of Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, individuals worldwide are mobilizing to protect and preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage. One such initiative is SUCHO, spearheaded by Andreas, a member of the Department of Psychology. In a recent Brännpunkt lecture, Andreas shed light on the genesis of SUCHO: its operations, challenges faced, and the critical role it plays in safeguarding Ukraine's rich cultural legacy.

Andreas commenced the lecture by offering a glimpse into his personal journey and motivations. Working at the Department of Psychology, he found himself compelled to act in response to Russia's aggression. However, lacking the logistical background in the armament field, Andreas identified his strength in web development. This realization led to the creation of SUCHO, an organization that has grown to include over 1500 volunteers from 38 different countries.

The urgency of SUCHO's mission becomes apparent when considering the targeted nature of Russia's aggression. Ukrainian authors and individuals working in the cultural sphere are specifically singled out, indicating a concerted effort to erase their presence. "They want us to disappear," Andreas remarked. This sentiment underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for proactive measures.

The core function of SUCHO revolves around data servers and archiving, tasks that many individuals within Ukraine lack the time to address due to the ongoing war, much less the facilities to do so. The organization, with its 1500+ volunteers, operates remotely, efficiently managing these responsibilities and addressing these challenges. Impressively, SUCHO has raised a total of 218,000 euros from 243 contributors, demonstrating widespread support for its cause.

An essential aspect of SUCHO's work is the web archiving of cultural heritage sites in Ukraine. Andreas highlighted the distressing fact that 1,689 such sites have suffered damage during the conflict. He illustrated this point with a devastating example from the Kupiansk museum, where both workers and the director of the museum lost their lives to Russian shelling.

While Andreas emphasized the importance of web archiving, he also drew attention to the challenges faced. Ukraine's state archive holdings are only 0.6% digitized, a consequence of outdated equipment and limited resources. To address this, Amazon stepped in with a generous donation of equipment, valued at 250,000 euros. Andreas explained the subsequent challenge of finding operators for this equipment, leading to the allocation of additional funding for interns in digital conservation education. This initiative provided 25-30 students with scholarships to acquire essential skills in archiving. Beyond this, SUCHO extended its support to Ukraine by donating cameras, computers, power banks, sleeping bags, and first aid kits. Additionally, the organization pioneered the creation of a reservation website, a novel concept in Ukraine.

Andreas also underscored the importance of maintaining open access to this data, free from government influence. He expressed dismay at the Swedish Royal Library's inability to support Ukrainian digitization due to copyright concerns, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of this limitation during a time of war.

During the Q&A session, participants asked about the possibility of contributing archives and donations. Andreas affirmed that both archival contributions and monetary support are welcome. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by corruption in Ukraine, making monetary donations more complex. Notably, renowned band Pearl Jam made a substantial financial contribution to SUCHO's cause.

In response to concerns about threats and infiltration, Andreas reassured the audience that SUCHO operates within a closed group, employing various security measures to safeguard its integrity. The logistics of SUCHO, while complicated, were navigated by realizing the convenience of ordering from Ukrainian vendors, providing a simultaneous stimulus to the local economy.

In conclusion, SUCHO stands as a testament to the resilience of individuals coming together to protect and preserve cultural heritage in the face of conflict. Andreas's lecture not only highlighted the organization's achievements but also emphasized the broader significance of international collaboration and individual responsibility in times of crisis. The story of SUCHO serves as an inspiration, prompting reflection on the importance of collective action in safeguarding the cultural tapestry of nations.