DETROIT, Sept. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What do a young Jewish-American activist, an Israeli author, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, a Jewish psychiatrist and author, a Muslim cleric, a Christian Palestinian, a top scholar on Christian Zionism and Ohio State law professor have in common? They are all speakers at ``Peace, Palestine and U.S. Policy 1948-2008.'' They all believe the American people should know about the true situation in Palestine/Israel and decide for themselves the role Americans should play in the conflict.

George Khoury, a Palestinian Christian who was a six year old child in Palestine 1948 when the state of Israel was formed, and Jon Swanson, a retired Episcopalian social worker who spent many years working in the Middle East, are the co-chairs of the Sabeel conference to be held Sept. 25-27 at the First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, MI.

Christian, Muslims and Jews will be attending the conference in hopes of learning and gaining skills to be better able to share with other Americans what they've learned from the top scholars and activists.

The conference will include the following speakers:

 Anna Baltzer, a young Jewish-American activist.
 Susan Nathan, Author of The Other Side of Israel.
 Ilan Pappe, one of the foremost Israeli revisionist historians.
 Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies
  in Washington, D.C.
 Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize winning former NYT foreign
  correspondent.
 Joel Kovel, Psychiatrist, peace activist and author.
 Imam Mohammed Mardini, Leader of the American Muslim Center
  in Dearborn, Michigan.
 Don Wagner, a top scholar of Christian Zionism.
 Naim Ateek, Sabeel's founder and Canon of St. George's
  Episcopal Church, Jerusalem.
 Jean Zarou, Vice President of Sabeel and author, Occupied
  with Occupation.
 John B. Quigley, Ohio State University faculty member and
  expert in international law.

The cost for the three-day conference will be $110 for early registrants and $50 for students which includes a reception, a banquet and two lunches. Space is limited, so register and/or get more information on line at http://www.fosna.org.

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Friends of Sabeel North America supports the work of Sabeel by sponsoring educational activities that promote peace and justice in the Middle East.

The Detroit/Ann Arbor Friends of Sabeel logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5409

          David Communications
          Media inquiries contact:
          Warren David
            313-999-6000
            warrend@davidcomgroup.com

          Detroit/Ann Arbor Friends of Sabeel
          Media inquiries contact:
          Sarah Redmond
            248-752-0388
            socialjusticemi@gmail.com
          Conference information contact:
          Jon Swanson, co-coordinator
            734-741-1273
            semifosna@aol.com