Grace Nelson Visits Bethlehem University

On Friday 20 April Mrs. Grace Nelson, the wife of Senator Bill Nelson- Democrat-Florida, visited Bethlehem University accompanied by Mr. Zahi Khoury on a fact finding mission.

Mrs. Nelson met with some staff of the university as well as some students to hear from them about the everyday living conditions.

The staff, who attended the meeting, were: Br. Jack Curran, Vice President for Development, Dr. Irene Hazou, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Sami El- Yousef, Vice President for Finances and Planning, Mr. Waleed Attalah, History and Political Science Lecturer and Ms. Carol Sansour Dabdoub, Public Relations Director. The students who attended were Areej Jafary and Mohamad Qaisy who were both from the “Dheisheh” refugee camp in Bethlehem. These students talked about the living conditions and the difficulties in the camp, and then they talked about their original cities which they were forced to leave in 1948 and their hopes to go back.

Mrs. Nelson ended her visit with a tour of the “Dheisheh” camp accompanied by Ms. Carol Sansour and both Areej and Mohammad to have a close view of the living standards. They visited Ibda’ Cultural Center in the camp which organizes many activities for the camp children and youths, such as sports, folkloric dancing and other cultural affairs.

Upon her departure Mrs. Nelson pledge to carry the message of hope and resilience the students and staff of Bethlehem University had shared with her “I will do whatever in my capacity to share your stories and move peace forward”.