Anna Baltzer, a Jewish American Columbia University graduate and Fulbright scholar, has been making waves the past few years.

The granddaughter of Holocaust refugees, Baltzer has become an activist for Middle East peace and for Palestinian rights. It's a juxtaposition that has turned some heads. With her appearance on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on October 28, Baltzer is garnering more attention than ever.

In her book, Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories, Baltzer documents human rights abuses and movements for nonviolent resistance in the West Bank. It's a story, she said, that hasn't been presented widely in the United States.

It's also a story that is controversial. When Baltzer spoke on the Daily Show, she and her copresenter, Mustafa Barghouti, were heckled. Also, the listing for her event on Maplewood Patch elicited a rebuttal. The commenter directed readers to a website for CAMERA--the Committee for Accuracy for Middle East Reporting in America--which contends that Baltzer is "denigrating Israel with baseless and propagandistic allegations" and calls her "anti-Israeli."

Locals will get a chance to make their own decision when Baltzer speaks on the topic this Sunday, November 8, at the Wyoming Presbyterian Church, 432 Wyoming Avenue in Millburn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

"Americans don't get to hear these stories," Baltzer told Patch. These stories, which include tales of "past and present military attacks, house demolitions, land confiscation, imprisonment without trial, and torture" of Palestinians, are detailed on Baltzer's website, in her book and in her presentations.

To accusations that she is betraying Israel, Zionism and/or the Jewish people, Baltzer rebutted, "Jewish, Israeli and Zionist are three different things." Baltzer contends that Israel's current policies regarding Palestinians are contrary to Judaism and to social justice. "It's not about Jews versus Palestinians, but about human rights."

Baltzer stressed that she is not anti-Israel but pro-social justice. "I represent a movement," she said. "One that includes American, Palestinian and Israeli activists."

Regarding the Daily Show heckler, Baltzer advised not dwelling on that one person. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive," said Baltzer. She noted that the remainder of the audience "wanted to hear" and applauded heartily. "That's relatively representive of the reception I get," said Baltzer.

"When I started doing this, I expected to get eaten alive," she said. "But when people hear what's going on, it's hard to justify. It's such a system of segregation based on religion," Baltzer said of the current situation in Israel.

The presentation this Sunday at the Wyoming Presbyterian Church will be held downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. There is no admission charge.