The "Despicable" George Rishmawi

If you have been following the fiasco that is the UC-Irvine Olive Tree Initiative, you probably know that its defenders, mainly the Orange County Jewish Federation and their subsidiary, the  Rose Project, which provides much of the funding, have made a big deal over the fact that there are two George Rishmawis in the picture. When folks made a big ruckus back in November because International Solidarity Movement co-founder George (S) Rishmawi came to speak to the OTI at UC-Irvine, it was pointed out to us nay-sayers that this was a different George Rishmawi-as opposed to George N Rishmawi, whom the Federation labeled a "despicable character". Incredibly, they are still singing that tune. You see, there are two George Rishmawis, George S. and George N., who also goes by just George Rishmawi. It is the latter that the OC Jewish Federation's CEO called "a "despicable character" as they were defending the OTI involvement with George S Rishmawi last November.

http://ocjewishexperience.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/will-the-real-george-rishmawi-please-stand-up/

There are a couple of problems in that letter. First of all, the letter they are referring to did not refer to George N Rishmawi. It referred to George Rishmawi. Here it is below:

http://www.ha-emet.com/dee_sterling_letter.html

The second problem is that it is all academic. George S Rishmawi or George N Rishmawi. Take your pick. They are apparently cousins and even bear a resemblance to each other, which has caused confusion between their photos across  the Internet. No matter They are two peas in the same pod. Both have been involved with the International Solidarity Movement and its very founding. It is clear that the one who came to UCI, George S Rishmawi was a co-founder of ISM. They are both active against Israel on the West Bank. They are both involved in the Olive Tree Initiative when the students are taken to the West Bank every September. Below is a link that shows photos of both men as being involved in the same organization (Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement Between Peoples).

http://www.pcr.ps/read/staff-and-volunteers

 If you check the (student) OTI itineraries for 2008 and 2010, you will see one listed as George Rishmawi-as opposed to the other George S Rishmawi. (Both are listed.) Below is George N Rishmawi's Facebook page.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_ycRH8fDCSUJ:www.facebook.com/george.rishmawi+Fida+Bisan+Basil+Faris+%2B+Palestine+Center+for+Rapprochement&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com

Here is another shot:




Now here is the "good" George S Rishmawi, co-founder of the ISM and also a great friend of the OTI, the one who spoke at UCI last November..

http://www.bilin-village.org/english/conferences/conference2007/George-S-Rishmawi-s-presentation-to-Second-Annual-Conference-in-Bil-in-Building-Economy-Self-Sufficiency

http://cosmos.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/php/authors.php?auid=23615




To sum up, you can take your pick. Both George Rishmawis are involved with the Olive Tree Initiative in the West Bank. They are both devoted to the deligitimization of Israel.

Below is a photo of a man identified in Olivetreejourney's blog as George Rishmawi (in white shirt) taken in the spring of 2010 as he hosted a group of Olive Tree Initiative representatives in the West Bank. Note that this group was not comprised of students, rather a group of folks associated with the UC-Irvine Center for Citizen Peace Building (Dept. of Social Sciences), which oversees the OTI at UCI.



As previously noted, there is a strong similarity in appearance between the two Rishmawis, but it is academic. They are both involved in the same ventures and linked to the same groups. Below is the 2010 itinerary of the above group as posted in Olivetreejourney' s Blog.

http://olivetreejourney.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/join-us-on-the-olive-tree-journey/


"March 11th (Thursday)


"8:00 am – Depart to Bethlehem


9:00 am – Rapprochement Center in Beit Sahur (short presentation)"

As shown in the third link down, the Rapprochement Center is run by George Rishmawi. (Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between Peoples), and George S Rishmawi is shown on the staff.

In summary, the Olive Tree Initiative and the Center for Citizen Peace Building are involved with both George Rishmawis. That cannot be refuted.

As much as the OC Jewish Federation and Rose Project may try.