CAMERA Fellows and CCAP group leaders wrap up Fall semester 2013 with a number of successful events. Read on to learn about Anat Berko’s Lecture at American University.

Emet of American University held a successful event this past semester featuring Dr. Anat Berko. American University CAMERAonCampus Fellow Andrew Wallin reports back on the event that took place on October 25th, 2013.

Andrew explains that the goal was to “increase awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and challenge prevalent notions about the nature of Palestinian terrorism.” Dr. Anat Berko, a world renowned scholar on terrorism and the psychology of suicide bombers, provided invaluable insights to the students who attended her lecture. Indeed, Dr. Berko delves deep into the psyche of those who are dispatched to carry out suicide attacks, revealing what motivates one to carry out such an attack. She has interviewed numerous failed suicide bombers, becoming intimately familiar with their very human vulnerabilities. Dr. Anat Berko conducts research for Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Team and Israel’s National Security Council, and she serves as an adviser to senior government officials.

Andrew says that he felt that “Anat really enlightened us about suicide bombings.” She made it clear to the audience that their perceptions of Palestinian suicide bombings may be misguided, and explained to them the dark and twisted process of convincing someone to carry out a suicide attack.

Dr. Berko, Andrew says, was a phenomenal speaker who captivated her audience. The attendees seemed to enjoy the event a great deal, and it seems that they truly gained a new perspective with regards to the situation in Israel. Andrew is looking forward to more engaging and educational events about Israel on campus next semester.