Sandy Tolan, acclaimed author of international bestseller “The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East” and “Children of the Stone: The Power of Music in a Hard Land” and professor at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, will speak about conflict and tragedy in Israel and Palestine and share reflections on reconciliation.

Gaza is devastated: 47,000 Palestinians killed; more than a million internally displaced; homes, schools, hospitals reduced to rubble. Israel remains a nation traumatized in the long aftermath of the Hamas attacks that killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis. Against this backdrop it seems impossible to imagine a just peace between the two peoples. But is it, really? And how do new edicts on free expression threaten open dialogue? How, in the face of these restrictions, can we continue to explain the roots of the conflict, to document the facts on the ground and to imagine powerful, creative new solutions?

An audience Q&A will follow the presentation, and a reception will follow at Martel Hall.

Rice Reflects is an initiative of the Office of the Provost to highlight opportunities for students, faculty and staff to have constructive conversations across differences, informed by scholarly expertise from within and outside the Rice community. The events and educational offerings address ideological, political, religious, cultural and other differences.