Film Screening & Live Q&A: The Palestine Exception

Islamic World Studies invites you to a screening of The Palestine Exception, followed by a live Q&A with the film’s directors, Jan Haaken and Jennifer Ruth.

As Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza escalated last spring, students and faculty across the U.S. mobilized for justice in Palestine, often facing accusations of antisemitism and institutional crackdowns from administrators, the media, the police, and politicians. This documentary examines the fight for academic freedom and the right to protest amid growing restrictions on campus activism. Scholars from diverse disciplines explain what interests converged around this issue, what was at stake in the protests, and why so many young people came to identify with the Palestinian cause.

Jan Haaken, professor emeritus of psychology at Portland State University, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores social movements and contested political spaces.

Jennifer Ruth, professor of film studies at Portland State University, writes extensively on academic freedom and higher education in The New Republic, Truthout, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Join us for an evening of film, discussion, and community. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

The event is co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute, Catholic Studies, Sociology & Anthropology, Politics, Black Studies, Humanitarian Action, Muslim Student Association, and Center for Social Impact.