This is finally public!
I’ve been awarded the 2019 Jerusalem (Al Quds) Peace Prize, one of Australia’s major peace awards for my 15 years of journalism around the Israel/Palestine conflict. I’m truly honoured to have been selected for this prestigious award, sponsored by APAN (Australia Palestine Advocacy Network) and Australians for Palestine, in recognition of my books, articles, speeches and positions on the issue of Middle East peace.
Here’s the citation:
Australians for Palestine and the Australia-Palestine Advocacy Network are thrilled to announce that the winner of the 2019 Jerusalem (Al Quds) Peace Prize is journalist, author, and film-maker Antony Loewenstein.
Antony’s best-selling book “My Israel Question” generated a storm of controversy because of his forensic discussion of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the intimidatory way Zionist lobby groups have affected political discourse and news media to shape their version of Middle-Eastern politics. His foray into this veritable minefield saw him personally attacked and even shunned by his community and relatives.
He co-founded Independent Australian Jewish Voices and has said that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement “is a logical and non-violent response to human rights abuses in Palestine.
The award will be presented by last year’s prize winner Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees AM at a black-tie dinner in Queen’s Hall, Victorian State Parliament on Friday 22 November 2019. In response to the award, Antony will be in conversation with the celebrated journalist and television news presenter, Mary Kostakidis.
This award was inspired by the very successful Sydney Peace Prize, which began in 1998, and awards people who advocate peace with justice. In the last 21 years, that award has gone to individuals like Nelson Mandela, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Hans Blix, Irene Khan and many others.
The Jerusalem Peace Prize will be awarded in the Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne in the beautiful Queen’s Hall on 22 November in front of hundreds of people who believe in peace in the Middle East.
It’s a black tie event but I may challenge the dress code ?.
The event is open to the general public, for a fee, so please come along and support.
Since I posted details about this award online yesterday, I’ve been overwhelmed with the literally hundreds of positive responses so thanks for the support.