Earlier this week, our Dialogue Meeting program came under attack. Right-wing activists, led by Israeli Member of Knesset Ben-Gvir, protested outside of a Jerusalem public high school where Parents Circle was scheduled to present its Dialogue Meeting.
Students at the high school responded favorably to the Parents Circle and it’s program, saying:
“It was an exciting and very meaningful experience. I would be happy for more meetings like this. Seeing things from the Palestinian point of view really opens the eyes. It all starts and ends with knowing each other as human beings. Without dialogue we will not be able to produce peace and I am going to share my experience with my family and friends.”
“I felt a sense of hope and identification. The facilitators’ attitude towards hatred is refreshing in relation to the usual Israeli conversation and it is very important to make such voices heard. These meetings are important because this is a rare point of view for Israelis.”
Activists shouted “We want revenge!” and sang the Israeli national anthem, protesting having Palestinians come to the school with a message of peace. They created a lot of tension, fears and difficulties for the school, but Parents Circle was widely supported by the PTA, the school administration and even the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem. In the end, we were able to present our important program to the school.
Other Israeli students shared:
“It’s not every day we have the opportunity to listen to a Palestinian person. Especially for someone from a bereaved family. It was very painful to hear them speak. It was a very strong experience and the strong message that came out of the meeting is a message of listening.”
“It was important to hear the stories even though it was difficult to hear them. The discussion between the facilitators and the students was instructive and enriching and I felt that it would impact me in the future as well. The conflict concerns everyone’s lives and as the next generation that will have to deal with the conflict and decide how to move forward with it we need to learn about the other side.”
To donate by check, please mail to:
American Friends of the Parents Circle
4 E 95th St 5C
New York, NY 10128
To donate by check, please mail to:
American Friends of the Parents Circle
4 E 95th St 5C
New York, NY 10128