During Collaborative time on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, Edina High School students were given the opportunity to attend a panel regarding relations between Israel and Palestine, and the media bias related to the issue. The event was put on by the Jewish Student Union in conjunction with Youth Serving Youth.

The panel included Mnar Muhawesh, the founder and editor-in-chief of Mint Press News, and Liz Brough, the Midwest Program Coordinator of the nonprofit StandWithUs. Muhawesh represented the Palestinian perspective, and Brough spoke about Israel. It was moderated by EHS Youth Serving Youth advisor Rachael Grenier.

The discussion went through a number of different topics, but mostly stayed on the subject of media bias evident in the reporting of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

Muhawesh emphasized the large media bias in America, due to the fact that most mainstream American news organizations trickle down to just six corporations. Brough talked about the steps one must take while sifting through news stories to find the truth.

However, the panelists also did touch upon the tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and debated the difficulty of living on each side. Brough mentioned her sister who had to run to a bomb shelter while studying in Israel, and Muhawesh explained the lack of human rights that Palestinians currently face. The two also argued about whether Israel would be considered an apartheid state.

“The panelists did a great job of shedding light on the issue,” said Grenier. “It exceeded my expectations.”