Birding as Bloodsport: The Politics of Birding in Israel/Palestine

As both an academic and a birder, Noah explores the politics underlying the seemingly innocuous hobby of birding in Israel/Palestine where nothing can be apolitical. Noah’s talk will include a bit of research, a few first-hand stories, highlights from some relevant current events, and a healthy dose of conflict-politics.

Noah developed a passion for birding while he was a graduate student at NYU, and he carried that interest with him when he traveled with his family for a year in Jerusalem to conduct dissertation research. While most research was done in the archives and libraries of that city, he had a long and beautiful walk each day to the Central Zionist Archives, a walk which took him through a large city park and past the Jerusalem Bird Sanctuary.