“It’s always refreshing to have somebody who actually lives in the area speaking on it,” said Hebah M. Ismail ’06, the secretary of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee.
While much of Hiller’s work has focused on ending conscription in Israel, she also stressed her efforts to free Israel’s education system of military propaganda.
“We educate our children that their rifle is their best friend and they should never leave their friend,” Hiller said.
Following her talk, Hiller fielded questions from the audience on an array of subjects, ranging from her role in various Palestinian movements to her vision for Israel.
“I don’t hate Israel. I think that the reason I am here is because I am the most patriotic person in the world,” Hiller said in response to a question about her decision to denounce Zionism.
Hiller, who is currently in the middle of a speaking tour at various U.S. colleges, will speak at Brandeis University tomorrow.
Hiller’s speech was sponsored by the Harvard Society of Arab Students, the Harvard Initiative for Peace and Justice, the Palestinian Solidarity Committee and the Progressive Jewish Alliance.