Hiba Qassas, a former student of the master’s program, has just published a very interesting article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.  Forcibly Disarming Hamas Will Be a Disaster. But Peacekeeping Experts Have an Alternative, by Hiba Qasas, Bert Koenders and CJ (Kees) Matthijssen.

Here are some infos about Hiba and her co-authors:

Hiba Qasas is Founding Executive Director of Principles for Peace and Convener of the Uniting for a Shared Future Coalition, which brings together more than 500 leaders from politics, security, business, diplomacy, negotiations, media and civil society to promote peace in Israel-Palestine.

Bert Koenders is Former Dutch Foreign Minister and Development Minister, led UN Peacekeeping Missions as SRSG Ivory Coast and Mali and is Professor of Peace, Security and Law at Leiden University. Lt.-Gen. CJ (Kees) Matthijssen is a former Lieutenant General in the Royal Netherlands Army, and Force Commander UN Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). He also served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

A few months ago, Hiba was interviewed on CNN by Christiane Amanpour.

Hiba joined the Pavia master’s program in 2001, coming from Nablus An-Najah National University. Ever since, she has dedicated herself to the cause of women’s empowerment and of peace. Every year, Hiba manages to give a class in our master’s program, either in person or online. A very special and precious contribution.

Brava, Hiba, we are all very proud of you.

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