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.’