This interview was carried out by Tasneem Mcarthur, a second year undergraduate student in International Politics at City, University of London, in the spring 2022.

It is part of a larger project to celebrate the life and work of Rosemary Hollis (1952-2020), Olive Tree Director and Professor of Middle East Policy at City during 2008-2018.

This extra curricular initiative, led by Dr Sara Silvestri (Department of International Politics), is also driven by a desire to spread awareness of the great work of Rosemary while enhancing students’ knowledge transfer and skills.

Amjad completed his undergraduate degree in international politics at City, University of London, as an Olive Tree scholar during 2013-2016. He currently works as a translator (Arabic-English) and English teacher in East Jerusalem.

The interview

  • Amjad Alawi

    Hi Amjad nice to meet you. Please tell me a bit more about yourself and your relationship with Rosemary Hollis…

    I joined at City through Olive Tree in 2013, I was part of the last cohort. I studied International Politics. I met Rosemary through the programme. She was very accurate and spot-on from the very beginning.

    Within the very first moment, I noticed she took her work - I don't think just her work - she took things very seriously. She gave everything 100%, she was more than just a director, she was already building a relationship with students. She was very much a leader without even trying to lead and she was very easy to follow and trust.

    How successful was the Olive tree scholarship to you personally?

    There were a lot of challenges, but I would say it exceeded my expectations as it was so well organised (by Rosemary). It went through over a three year period, which is basically the period of your undergraduate study. The first year was a complete disaster. A lot of the people did not get along. It was very, you know, disturbing, upsetting, most of the times. And then it started kind of talking to you personally.

    “Once there was a row between Israeli and Palestinian students, which I was the main point of. I got an email from Rosemary the next morning saying “I want to see you in my office”. I was thinking “ok I’m in trouble”. So I went there, and all she did was telling me a story about her time in Palestine. And I was like “OK”; she said “no, that's it. You can go”. No direct advice, no lecturing, just telling you a similar story.

    The Olive tree programme and scholarship has now been discontinued. Do you believe that there should be more student initiatives like it, that attempt to create change in politically sensitive areas?

    Yes, but I think the Olive Tree was very very unique because of Rosemary's work. She made sure it was not a spectator sport. It was more about the scholars themselves. It wasn't like more promotion to get more money or supporters.

    Do you think there is a gap in the political field, which Rosemary Hollis filled before?

    Yeah, 100% Rosemary knew a lot of things. She spent a lot of time in the region. She actually studied it attentively. She talked to many people. She understood the sensitivities of people but she was not worried at all. Actually, she was very excited to address the important points and issues with a sensitive approach, but also a very very thorough one.