Michelle L. Gawerc Michelle I. Gawerc Associate professor of sociology and interim director of the Office of Peace and Justice Loyola University Maryland December 27, 2018 —Neta Hazan These words by Neta Hazan marked the beginning of the 2017 Israeli–Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. For the last twelve years, on the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, … Continue reading Promoting Peace While Memorializing the Fallen
As 2018 comes to a close, we want to share with you a few of the action items that we are committed to achieving next year for peace and reconciliation: 1) We will not allow US government cuts to cross-border Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding activities stop our programs. “I am committed to upholding the necessary financial and … Continue reading What are you committed to in 2019?
2018 presented many challenges to our work, but we still have much to celebrate and to be thankful for. Here are 8 victories you helped us accomplish for peace and reconciliation this past year: 352 Dialogue Meetings for 7,400 Israelis, Palestinians, and internationals in Israel and Palestine Facilitator training for Israeli and Palestinian female members, with … Continue reading 8 Highlights for 2018
Our names are Robi Damelin and Bushra Awad. We are two unlikely friends. We are both bereaved mothers – Israeli and Palestinian. We both lost our sons to the conflict. We both paid the highest price. We are both committed to peace and preventing others from paying this dreadful price and sparing others from this … Continue reading Your Gift Matters to Us
An urgent message from Shiri Ourian, Executive Director, American Friends of the Parents Circle – Families Forum I am devastated by the news that the Trump Administration has cut USAID funding for any cross-border Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding activities. While the saddening news of this punitive measure was announced previously, I was hopeful that our programs would be able to … Continue reading URGENT: USAID funding cuts threaten our programs
Amidst the violence of the past few days, and the violence that is sure to follow in the days to come, on Friday the Parents Circle gathered its bereaved members, several hundred of its program’s alumni, partner organizations and the general public in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to scream – Enough! We screamed enough … Continue reading Enough! Halas!
When I went on break from The Band’s Visit to return to filming the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I made a donation to the Parents Circle in honor of my incredible castmates. I wanted them to know more about the powerful work that the Parents Circle is doing to foster dialogue and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. That work is … Continue reading Why Tony Shalhoub Supports the Parents Circle
Interacting with ‘the other’ can create a path toward reconciliation and mutual understanding, say leaders of a range of groups with similar goals.
“December is the time for candles, spiritual light and a sense of miracle. For some it is the belief that they bring the light of Jesus, even in the darkest of times. For others the miracle of the pure oil sufficient for one day which last for eight. With your permission, I would like to … Continue reading A Holiday Message from a Bereaved Mother
We wish all of our friends celebrating Hanukkah, a holiday full of light and joy. On this 4th day of the festival, we want to share with you 4 recent and upcoming achievements you have helped us accomplish: #1: On Friday, Dec 14th, the Parents Circle’s alumni conference will be held on the subject of human rights. … Continue reading 4 Peace Day Accomplishments for the 4th Day of Hanukkah
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.
