Zionism: Cycles of Trauma and Aggression in the Service of Settler Colonialism

An Evening with Dr. Yoav Litvin, Israeli-American Psychologist and Neuroscientist

7 p.m., Wednesday, November 7
Garden Street United Methodist Church Fireside Room
1326 N. Garden St, Bellingham
  
Bellingham, WA – Bellingham's Veterans For Peace and Whatcom Peace and Justice Center are hosting author, psychologist and nueroscientist Dr. Yoav Litvin at Garden Street Methodist Fireside Room on Wednesday, November 7 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Litvin will examine the results to date of Zionism within a historical framework. How have over a century of settler colonial policies affected the Israeli and Palestinian collective psyches? Can a study of neural systems of emotion inform our understanding of the ongoing oppression of Palestinians and the potential for a just resolution? Litvin will address these questions and speak of their urgency in light of the current rise of white supremacy and global neo-fascism.

Specializing in the behavioral neuroscience of fear, stress, social behaviors, aggression and trauma, Litvin has investigated the neurobehavioral pathways involved in bullying, aggression and defense from the aspects of both aggressor and victim. He has found that studying the science of trauma and its healing can benefit our efforts to find a potential route to justice and reconciliation.
​
"As humans, our survival instincts render us susceptible to manipulations by fear-mongering politicians," says Dr Litvin. "A scared populace readily accepts and sustains cycles of oppression and privilege. It is morally essential to overcome fear and demand truth, accountability, justice and equality."
 
Dr. Litvin, an Israeli-American psychologist and neuroscientist, integrates his knowledge of biobehavioral mechanisms with a unique perspective as a former Israel Defense Force soldier, now dissident. His work has appeared in outlets such as Salon, Truthout, Truthdig, teleSur English, Mondoweissand Counterpunch. For more see yoavlitvin.com.