Scheduled to speak before Tzedek Chicago, while in the United States to attend his daughters wedding, Omar Bargouthi was barred, at last minute by U.S. officials, from boarding his flight to the United States.
He speaks via Skype about the success of the BDS - Boycott, Divest, Sanction - movement, a non violent campaign which he helped co-found with the support of Palestinian civil society. Israel's efforts to criminalize BDS supporters is an indication of its' success, for it has shifted both debate and consciousness about the State of Israel for non Jews and Jews alike; success that he reveals is in part is due to a "sleeper" in the Israeli government.
Rabbi Rosen explores the link between Passover and the BDS campaign while Bargouthi provides answers to the campaigns origins, its often misrepresented goals and the moral and ethical principles that guide the campaign that are applicable to all people.