Arab Journalist Khaled Abu Toameh to Speak at Cal Poly Feb. 13

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh, senior editor of Palestinian affairs for the Jerusalem Post , NBC News and US News and World Report, will speak Monday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. in the Science building, Room B05.

Toameh will discuss the aftermath of the January Palestinian Authority (PA) elections, the prospect for Democracy in the Palestinian territories and Mahmoud Abbas' desire for peace.

He is the only Palestinian working for non-PA-sponsored news organizations. Based on his personal experience with Mahmoud Abbas, Toameh predicts that it will be "business as usual" in the PA, even under Abbas, with continued anarchy and lawlessness.

Khaled Abu Toameh was born in Tulkarem and worked for the PA for three years. Frustrated because he felt he had no journalistic freedom, he went to work for Israeli and foreign news outlets.

"Khaled tells it like it is. He is respected by both Palestinians and Israelis. He's truly an insider," said Yoav Ben-Haim, a mechanical engineering junior.

The event is sponsored by Hillel of San Luis Obispo, ASI, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Hasbara Fellowships, and StandWithUs.

For more information and articles written by Khaled Abu Toameh visit the Jerusalem Post at www.jpost.com .

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