Peace News spoke with Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders to learn more about the vital work they do to build peace and reconciliation on a human level, before and during the war in Gaza.
Bassam’s 10-year old daughter was killed on January 16, 2007 by a member of the Israeli border police. Bassam like all the members of the Parents Circle are victims/survivors of violent crime. The members are Palestinian and Israeli. Listen to Bassam as he tells his story.
Several years ago, I attended a public meeting with representatives of the Israeli Parents Circle-Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of more than 600 families, all of which have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict.
It’s no secret that war can breed divisiveness and anger, but several Israel-based organizations continue to promote peace and understanding amidst a crisis.
All of Israel is Hamas’ hostage, and the hostage families most acutely, as long as babies, fathers, mothers and brothers remain captives in Gaza. That’s why I call for the release of the sniper who killed my beloved son, if it would bring back even one of their loved ones
The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel has sparked outrage and protest, but a group of grieving parents continues quietly working for peace
Empathy could overcome hostility, even in Gaza
Tamar Shamir and Mohamed Abu Jafar tried for years to bring Jews and Palestinians together. Now they wonder if they ever understood each other
One of the main proponents of this peace movement is Robi Damelin, whose son David was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002. Instead of being consumed by hate and revenge, she devotes her life towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Robi Damelin says peace can happen overnight, but ‘we have to do the work that we’re doing, as much as we can.’
An event to demonstrate that neither side in the Israel-Hamas conflict had the monopoly on pain and suffering drew a crowd of hundreds on Sunday, to stand in a vigil opposite Downing Street and pledge to work for peace.
Robi Damelin lost her son to a Palestinian sniper and now represents bereaved families of both Israelis and Palestinians. It is perhaps a natural thing to choose a side. For Israel and Palestine, since October 7, it is the flavor of the month
CNN’s Kim Brunhuber speaks with Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, former directors of the “Parents Circle – Families Forum.” It’s a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization, founded in 1995, of more than 600 families, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to conflict in the region over years.
A group of Israeli illustrators created a virtual illustrated exhibit to draw focus on the children living through war and to commemorate the innocent who lost their lives.
Two men, both clad in black jackets and blue jeans, stood on stage politely gesturing at the other to start. The vigil for peace was addressed by Hamze Awawde and Magen Inon.
The Israel-Palestinian peace camp has long promoted dialogue against hatred and bloodshed but the passions inflamed by the deadliest Gaza war yet pose entirely new challenges for the movement.
These two very different books provide elements for thinking about such togetherness. The first is Apeirogon by Colum McCann. It is about a Palestinian and an Israeli whose daughters have been killed by the enemy other, who struggle to find a way towards peace.
Parents of victims killed in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict have created an unlikely bond that led to the creation of the Parents Circle Families Forum. Families who might otherwise be enemies are coming together in an effort to bridge Israelis and Palestinians to push toward a better future for both
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has dominated news since the October 7th Hamas attacks and Israeli air and ground campaigns in the Gaza Strip that followed. Around the world, islamophobia and antisemitism have skyrocketed, as the conflict divides societies and has led to mass protests. The media, especially
When Brent Blair saw his religious, political and university communities divided by the Israel-Hamas war, he was spurred into action. Blair, a professor of theater practice in voice and movement and founder of the Institute for Theater and Social Change in the School of Dramatic Arts, said he has been
The ongoing conflict and violence in the Gaza strip has led to a feeling of hopelessness across the world. The death of over 11,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis comes amid blood curdling calls for violence from both sides, and a shocking apathy from the world’s leadership to bring it to
Thirty-five Israeli Jewish and Arab peace and human rights groups have issued an open letter calling on the government to work for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families called for an end to “hate and revenge” and for political leaders to instead seek sustainable peace and reconciliation at an alternative Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London today.
Jewish and Palestinian food was on the menu Sunday at Feast World Kitchen in downtown Spokane to raise money for the Parents Circle, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization that works to promote dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation and peace.
Pat Gaffney gave this talk at Alternative Remembrance Gathering yesterday in Tavistock Square, central London. Organised by the Peace Pledge Union, the otherspeakers were Richare Kuper, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and Isabel Kelly, representing the Parents Circle – Families Forum. Around 150 people of all ages and backgrounds attended.
