by Rami Elhanan, bereaved Israeli father
To My Sweet Smadari,
So many years have passed since that horrible day, you suddenly disappeared from our lives forever. And yet to this day, whenever I open my phone and see your sweet face, my heart stops short and my blood freezes.
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Today, in honor of International Peace Day, and in honor of all those who have lost loved ones to the conflict — we call for no more empty rooms. Seven bereaved parents have written letters of hope to their loved ones who have been killed. They are left with seven empty rooms. An empty room … Continue reading For Peace Day: Letters from bereaved parents
https://youtu.be/7V1K64uNfFs Thursday, September 3rd12:00 PM EDT (7:00 PM Jerusalem, 5:00 PM London) A webinar with Oded Leshem, a research fellow at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, for a discussion of Hope During Conflict. This important study was authored by Leshem and Eran Halperin, and explores the pivotal role that hope plays in bringing about peace. Arab … Continue reading WEBINAR: What role does hope play in peace? Psychology, conflict, and the next generation of peace
August 5, 2020 Our mission is to foster a process of reconciliation for bereaved Israelis and Palestinians. They have paid the highest price to the conflict. The work of bereaved parents– like Rami, Bassam, and the over 600 other individuals and families in our organization– is made possible by your donation. Please make a contribution … Continue reading Apeirogon Book Discussion with Rami Elhanan, Bassam Aramin, and Hadassah New Orleans
Recording available https://youtu.be/gIwcWp_Hd6o The Women’s Group of the Parents Circle – Families Forum held a webinar with four extraordinary women leaders from global organizations, to learn how these women make their visions a reality. Wednesday July 29th at 7pm Jerusalem time (12pm EDT) Learn more about our bereaved Women’s Group, and how you can support … Continue reading Bold Women Leaders: Visions for Change in a Conflicted World
Monday, July 13, 2020 at 1:00 PM EDT
Join us for a film discussion on Within the Eye of the Storm, with Rami Elhanan, Bassam Aramin, and Shelley Hermon.
We invite you to view in your home the award-winning documentary film Within the Eye of the Storm and then join us for a virtual film discussion.
The Parents Circle – Families Forum bids a warm farewell to Co-Directors, Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin. Rami has served as the Israeli Co-Director of the organization since 2016. Bassam has served as Palestinian Co-Director since last year. Both helped lead the organization through the difficulties faced in the wake of the loss of USAID … Continue reading Welcome to our new Israeli and Palestinian Co-Directors!
Annexation will lead to more violence and bereavement. The Parents Circle’s members have paid the highest price and have committed to stop the cycle of bereavement.
I am Kholoud Houshiya and I live in the village of Al Yamun near Jenin. Originally my family is from Haifa. I wasn’t able to experience childhood due to the occupation, which forcibly displaced my family to Jenin under oppression and humiliation.
Later, I married and I gave birth to my first child, whom I named Mohammed. I raised him with all my love and effort.
Mohammed was a young man who loved life dearly, and he loved me even more. He was both my son and my friend, thanks to our close bond.
Mohamad was 23 years old. He worked in Israel and helped his father.
On January 2, 2024 Mohamed took a picture of the Israeli army tearing down my neighbor’s house. The army thought otherwise and they shot him. Just because he was Palestinian.
I always dreamed of seeing my son as a groom, just like any mother. But now, I am left with him buried in my garden. I had hoped to see him, his wife, and his children in my house, but now, every day, I look at his grave from the window in my room.
My message to the world is this: Enough. Enough killing, enough injustice, enough destruction, enough oppression. Enough violence on both sides.
It is not easy for a mother to recount the story of her son’s death—the pain is indescribable. I cannot bear the loss of another child. This is why we must raise the voice of the mothers for a better future for all children and young generations – Palestinians and Israelis.
I am Hala Al-Bukhari, living in Jerusalem.
My daughter, my sister and her large family, children and grandchildren live in Gaza. Despite the distance, before the war, I used to communicate with them daily, checking on their health via video call.
On the morning of October 7th, my son told me to watch TV to see what was happening in southern Israel. From that day, fear has overwhelmed my heart.
Then came the morning of October 18th, bringing the harsh news: My sister’s house was bombed, and she, her husband, her children, and grandchildren were in the house—33 innocent lives lost in this horrific massacre. Since then, my fear for my daughter has grown. I have pleaded with human rights organizations, seeking any means to get her out of the hell of war and the horror of the massacres. Eventually we succeeded to get my daughter out of Gaza.
With every word I write, I struggle to express the extent of my pain. Our hearts bleed with grief for those we have lost and continue to lose. Our sorrow is profound, and our souls yearn for the peace we all dream of.
Let us all live in peace and build a better future for our children. War brings only destruction and ruin to everyone involved, whether Palestinian or Israeli. It is always the innocent people who suffer the most.
I am Liat Atzili from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
My partner, Aviv and I built a life and a family in Nir Oz. We were an inseparable part of this little community, which fulfilled our aspirations and needs. Mine as an educator, and Aviv’s as a farmer and an artist.
On October 7th, our kibbutz was attacked, conquered, and destroyed by Hamas. A quarter of the residents were either killed or kidnapped, including me. The time I spent as a hostage in Gaza was of complete despair, unending fear for my friends and family, and long days. I was nervous that I wouldn’t survive.
After 54 days in captivity, I was returned home. The following day, my family and I were told that Aviv was killed on October 7th. Aviv had hundreds of friends, he traveled and created, and made the most of every opportunity; he truly loved life.In his final year, Aviv fulfilled many dreams, the greatest being to share his art publicly. While managing the kibbutz’s agricultural garage, he painted on tractor parts and scrap metal, blending his love for metals and the Negev fields into his creations. Our children looked up to him and I feel like I had the greatest privilege to share my life with him.
I always believed that war is not our destiny, and that any conflict, including ours, can be solved. This war has proven to me beyond a doubt that we cannot continue fighting, that we have no right to impose the continued suffering of war on future generations on either side. I am ready today, more than ever, to do everything in my power so that our children can live here in peace and security.
I am Mazen from Bethlehem. Many of my family members live in Beit Lahiya, Gaza. They lived in a beautiful house and went on about their lives, despite the siege.
It all stopped on October 10, 2024, when, my uncle, his three sons, and his son-in-law were outside near the house. Israeli aircraft targeted them with bombardment and gunfire. My aunt managed to bring their bodies into the house. With trembling hands, she was forced to gather what remained of them, unable for over a week to lay her husband and three sons to rest.
I cannot believe that so many of my family are dead, and that I cannot go there to help them and cry with them.
The depth of pain in Gaza is beyond description and cannot be fathomed by the human mind. How much longer will this hatred on both sides continue? How much longer will we endure this nightmare? All the Palestinian people desire is a dignified life free from occupation—a fundamental right, just like that of any other people in the world.
The suffering will not cease until we collectively seek pathways to peace and understanding. Revenge will not forge a shared future; we must strive to find common ground and solidarity. Let us unite for a brighter future for the generations to come, and let us raise our voices for peace, so that together we may end this cycle of violence and finally live in safety and harmony.
