Anna Baltzer's time in the Middle East was more than a journey to Israel and Palestine. It was a journey from a set of perceptions about Palestine shared by most Americans to a new set of ideas that challenge commonly held beliefs about Israel in the U.S. 

And Baltzer's message, though often well-received by her audiences, is not without controversy.

In order to foster a community-based dialogue regarding an international conflict, the Wyoming Presbyterian Church hosted Anna Baltzer, author of A Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories, on Sunday afternoon.

In her book, Baltzer recounted her experiences in Palestine as a Jewish-American. Using photos, maps, and the stories of those she encountered, Baltzer aims to present a side of the Israel-Palestine conflict she was not exposed to growing up.

In Baltzer’s 90-minute presentation, she explained her journey towards her current stance on the conflict. Taking advantage of time abroad in 2003, she traveled to the Middle East, where she met with Palestinians and began to question the perspective she had been taught. While she initially set out “in an effort to disprove” what she believed was propaganda, according to Baltzer, she began to discover a new side to the conflict. This resulted in the decision to go back to the region several times since her initial visit to raise awareness and document the story of the Palestinian people.

Baltzer began her presentation by concretely defining the terms, “Jewish”, “Zionist”, and “Israeli”, explaining that the three separate terms, though they oftentimes overlap in one person, do not always coincide. By immediately making this distinction, she aimed to dispel the idea that an individual’s position on the conflict can be associated with their religion or citizenship.  

Baltzer’s stop at the Wyoming Presbyterian Church was part of her Northeast book tour. As she speaks to universities, religious organizations of all faiths and social service groups in the region, she is addressing audiences that hold diverse opinions on the topic. This includes the audience on Sunday afternoon.

When met with opposition regarding her views on the conflict, Baltzer explained the importance of seeking a solution that promotes social justice and equality, noting that the status quo is, “creating a place for a refugee diasporic population while creating a new refugee diaspora.”

“It is a viewpoint so rarely heard on an issue of such central importance to world peace and security. It is important for Americans to hear both sides,” said Millburn resident, Dennis Brasky, adding Baltzer’s work is a “drop of water in the desert.”

The event was host to a variety of opinions and was initiated to encourage to an “expansion of awareness and to facilitate conversation,” according to Pastor Lou Kilgore, who is also a Millburn resident.

“Differences are being aired, strong emotions are being expressed, but no one is getting killed. This is the greatest setting in which justice will prevail,” he added.

Approximately 70 people attended the event. The event concluded with a question and answer session during which, among other questions, Baltzer responded to accusations of presenting biased information. She responded by challenging those present to do their own research, visit the region and take an active part in promoting a peaceful solution.

In addition to her current book tour, Baltzer has spoken about the conflict at over 400 locations and made over 100 television appearances, most recently on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.