All articles tagged with #peace activism
Israeli and Palestinian mothers, despite recent violence and personal losses, continue to unite for peace, organizing rallies and launching a joint movement called Mothers' Call to urge global leaders to end the cycle of bloodshed and build a better future for their children.
Jewish and Arab peace activists in Haifa, Israel, organized a protest calling for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza and the exchange of captives between Hamas and Israel. The protest, which brought together Israeli Jews and Palestinian Israelis, aimed to convey a message of ending the war and achieving peaceful coexistence through a political solution for the Palestinians. Despite difficulties in organizing the protest, several hundred people gathered to voice their call for peace and refusal to engage in violence.
Israeli peace activists Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, representing the group Standing Together, have been touring US campuses to promote their message of partnership and radical empathy between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. Their appearances have drawn large crowds and standing ovations, reflecting a growing interest in their progressive approach. However, they have also encountered a tense and polarized climate on American campuses, with heated debates and confrontations surrounding the Israeli military action in Gaza. Despite criticism from all sides, Abed and Green continue to advocate for a new narrative that transcends the pro-Israel and pro-Palestine labels and focuses on shared humanity and a desire for peace.
Yonatan and Chen, the sons of Vivian Silver, a Canadian Israeli peace activist kidnapped by Hamas, grapple with the war in their mother's name. While hoping for her release, they navigate the complexities of the conflict and the differing opinions on how to secure her freedom. Yonatan advocates for a cease-fire and a diplomatic solution, while Chen believes in a military response. As they search for traces of their mother's fate in the ruins of their kibbutz, they confront the moral dilemma of seeking justice while honoring their mother's commitment to peace.
Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, both lost their young daughters to violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite their grief, they have formed a close friendship and joined the Parents Circle, a grassroots peace movement for families who have lost loved ones to the conflict. They believe that revenge and violence will only perpetuate the cycle of bloodshed and advocate for peace. Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, they emphasize the importance of choosing healing and reconciliation over hatred and revenge. They argue that everyone involved in the conflict is ultimately a victim and that killing more people will only lead to more killing.
A former Israeli soldier, Benzion Sanders, who served in the 2014 Gaza war, has become an "antiwar" activist due to the shock of witnessing civilian casualties. Sanders argues that the death and destruction caused by the conflict accomplished nothing and believes that a ground invasion is doomed to failure. He calls for a change in the Israeli government's approach from crushing Palestinian hope to committing to Palestinian independence in order to end the cycle of violence. As Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza and considers a ground incursion, Western officials are urging restraint and more modest aims in dealing with Hamas.
Rami Aman, an anti-Hamas activist who was tortured by the group, disagrees with Israeli President Isaac Herzog's statement that Palestinians should have overthrown Hamas. Aman argues that under Israeli attack, it is impossible for Palestinians to fight against Hamas and that the ongoing violence only radicalizes more people. He calls for an end to the war, negotiations for prisoner exchanges, and international diplomacy to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Aman emphasizes that both sides are suffering and that blaming each other is counterproductive.