Community Responses to Peace Work
Dimitri Diliani
People's Campaign for Peace and Democracy
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I haven't received any threats from anyone or anything of that sort, although some of my colleagues did when we first began. Some of those involved in founding the campaign were harassed in their jobs in different ways. But now the campaign is much stronger and has won the support of many on the street. It has such a strong presence on the Palestinian political scene that it is no longer easy for people to hassle us as they once did. So, as individuals, those involved with the campaign have paid a high price. […] Some people lost their jobs, and other people faced such difficulties in their workplaces that they were forced to choose between keeping their jobs and continuing to be active in the campaign.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Gidon Bromberg
EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ We've had events with adults in community groups and someone stands up and says, "This is a project that's working with the enemy, and people should stop and get out." Those involved in the project or attending the meeting have had to deal with that. We had one school principal respond to an individual like this by saying, "Well, this project is benefiting my community. This project has actually improved the water situation for this school, and has brought drinking water to our sons and daughters. What are you doing for my school? What are you doing that allows you to tell others to get up and leave?"” [Source in Complete Interview]
Michal Zak
The School for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I never hide what I do or what I believe in but I never get into arguments about it. If somebody comments on it I really don't get involved in it. My daughters are always arguing with the bus drivers and I always tell them never to argue with drivers, there could be an accident… They're really fine with arguing, they love speaking up. It's a different generation. They grew up in a different environment. I don't hide things: if I'm asked I say I'm from Neve Shalom, and people are always interested. So I tell them what they expect to hear, that everything is dandy. You know, they don't really want to hear that we're occupiers, they don't! I pass on, I don't get into it; I can't take arguing with everybody, because it generally does no good.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Shlomo Zagman
Realistic Religious Zionism, Mosaica
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ [The Movement for Realistic Religious Zionism's] first activity was to publicly call on the national-religious [Jewish] population living in the settlements. We did it through the newspapers, calling on them to acknowledge the necessity of giving up part of the lands of Greater Israel in order to sustain the Israeli Jewish state in its [internationally] recognized borders so as to start focusing on Israel's social problems. Such problems are neglected now because of the political situation and the conflict, and the many resources allotted to the conflict [...] We circulated a petition calling on the settlers to recognize the State's obligation to leave part of the Territories. After the petition was published and there was an interview with us on the news, some people in my settlement took offense, as they viewed it as a slap in the face. To them it was as though I was saying I took the blinders off my eyes, and I now see what I was blind to before while they're still blind and need to open their eyes. I received a few harsh and inappropriate reactions. It’s not that I was disappointed in them, because I know these people to be extremists.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Aziz Abu Sarah
Bereaved Families Forum, All For Peace Radio
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ The most common phrase that comes up from both sides is, “We want peace, but they don’t,” and each talk about their “new start.” When I’m at a Palestinian school, I hear a lot the words like “We’ve stopped the bombings, we want to make peace, we are the pitiful ones in this whole arena.” This is very understandable. On the Israeli side, I hear, “We’ve evacuated Gaza, but they still want to kill us, and whatever we do is not enough.” These are usually the most common answers I hear. In every classroom, the first thing that pops up is, “We want, but they don’t.” But sometimes, it gets really personal. A student might accuse you of being a traitor, betraying your brother or father or mother: “How could you come talk to me about peace with someone like him? How could you put your hands in those of a Jew’s or vice-versa? How could you do such a thing?” This is very hard for me at times, it’s hard to deal with it, because you feel yourself being attacked personally. But it’s very important for one to stay calm, and to understand that whatever is coming out, comes out one of pain. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Dr. Khuloud Dajani
People's Campaign for Peace and Democracy
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I once told her [my daughter] that we were attending a meeting for peace, and she answered: "Mom, don't kid yourself. You are not working for peace; you are working for surrender." She was eight years old then. She challenged me. The peace we are working for ought to be a genuine peace for the courageous. People should be convinced that peace is in line with what they want. People think that peace is surrender. My daughter's reaction was normal for her because she was living in the midst of the intifada and violence. She was thinking, "What are you talking about?"” [Source in Complete Interview]
Riyad Faraj
Parents Circle-Bereaved Families Forum
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ It's rare and dangerous [to be involved in this kind of work with Israelis]. Socially, one would be afraid to lose all one's relations, relatives, community, friends. I mean, people over here used to swear with my life. I was interrogated for 80 days but I didn't breath a word, so everybody knows me as a respectful man. The only thing that changed is that I used to think with my muscles, and now I think with my brain. I need to protect myself, not by shooting at anyone who invades my house, but by being respectful and making him not hurt me. So I started thinking about the Israelis on the other side. I mean, if I go to road number 60 and shoot at an Israeli there, that Israeli is neither the one who killed my brother nor the one who took my land.” [Source in Complete Interview]
George Sa'adeh
Bereaved Families Forum
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ There was no disapproval from those around us because we are the ones that have been hurt. We are not doing anything wrong; personally I'm not a man of politics, but a man of science. I am talking out of my own understanding… The political issues are up to the politicians-- to make the decisions. Our opinion is not to get into politics, but to express our thoughts and feelings to help to get our view across so that both sides can work together. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Itamar Shapira
Combatants for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Many people view my work as “talking to the enemy” or think I hate the Israeli people or that I am a traitor; every person has their own views. At first it bothered me more and I felt as though I was no longer considered the salt of the earth. I used to be in a social position that always landed me jobs. Every time you apply for a job or interview with a company and tell that you were a brave soldier, it’s taken into consideration because it has some glory or status in Israeli society. That’s something you give up because you aren’t in the consensus anymore; people view me as part of the radical Left.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Gila Svirsky
Coalition of Women for Peace, Women in Black
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ [...We] had an all women demonstration of Israeli, Palestinian and international women. About 70 women went to a Palestinian village and held a non-violent demonstration against the wall. The border police exploded with stun grenades and tear gas and horses, and Molly was hurt by a baton, as she was fleeing the action, we have photographs of this, the horse rider, the horse person ran after her and then dropped a baton on her head and shoulders and broke her shoulder. I sent out an e-mail about this. The problem is it's not an isolated incident. Consistently in recent weeks all hell has broken loose at non-violent demonstrations because the soldiers allow themselves to do this. Today I read a very angry response in Hebrew from an Israeli who read my report and accused me of looking for ways to harm Israel from within and to bring the wrath of the world against Israel. So I see that and I hear it. We're not immune from it; it's very painful.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Rami Nasrallah
International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC)
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Dialogue with Israel should be based on Palestinian interests. When the Israelis initiated meetings in Europe that were funded by the Europeans, the Palestinians sometimes didn't understand the intent of the meetings and we didn't ask ourselves the right questions about the relations with Israelis. We were literally followers. This creates extremely negative reactions. Part of the people become "traitors" who work for Israel and part become nationalists who are against normalization. Can I free anything from Israel if I don't meet with the Israelis? I can't. The idea for the creation of the IPCC was the creation of a Palestinian agenda, for the issues of peace, development and social and economic mobility.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Nasser Laham
Maan News, Bethlehem Television
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Interview Highlights »
“ They wait for it, the fighters from the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; even the president watches my program. I know that every mother, father, and child watches the program because they want to know who the Israelis are. We once said “they are the enemies.” Now, if you ask anyone in Bethlehem or in other areas who the Israelis are, they’ll tell you the difference between MK Ophir Pines and MK Arieh Eldad.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Shlomi Daskal
The People's Voice, Realistic Religious Zionism
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Israelis and Palestinians don’t believe in peace nowadays. It’s a term that we’ve exploited over the past 10 years, and we’ve tainted it. We kept speaking of peace and nothing happened. That’s why when I come to sell the Israeli society my views I don’t talk of peace because then I’d be told, “You’re talking nonsense.“ No, I talk of a divorce settlement. I believe that currently the two societies, Israeli and Palestinian, are ill societies. They are in critical condition, even if peace as it were arrived tomorrow morning and we were to reach a settlement, both societies would have to undergo rehabilitation, painful and difficult. If that’s what happens tomorrow morning then I really hope that my grandchildren will be able to live in ideal peace. But it will take a long time; I’m sure that when it does happen we’ll witness people going here and there but it won’t be a process and it won’t be profound. It will take a long time for us to emerge from this. Peace for me is an ideal I wish we could achieve.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Yafit Gamila Biso
The Olive Tree
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ People think that I go there and push because I love Arabs too much, that I like being among Arabs too much. No. I do love being with Arabs, but I'd like to pay them friendly visits, not fight their battles. I'm driven to show them and prove that there are people in Israel who really want peace and truly care. There's nothing I can do with the older ones because they've been to Israel already and they know what Israelis are. I care about the young children. I collect used toys and go to a kindergarten and gather 100-200 children and speak to them in their own language, in Arabic, and give out the toys. I tell them that the toys are from people in Israel, from Jews, Israelis, that this toy is from a child who gave it up so that they could have a toy, because maybe they have a little more than them. It does something. I came across villages that had never had contact with Israelis apart from soldiers, and it matters. It changes opinions.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Itamar Shapira
Combatants for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ We come to talk to people in the name of militancy because it grabs people’s attention and they feel it’s legitimate for us to be talking about reconciliation.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Yafit Gamila Biso
The Olive Tree
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I have many problems with my family because I help Arabs. One of the most significant things took place about a year ago. I didn't see my grandchildren, my son's children, for a year…. He said, "To tell the truth mother, I'm miserable, it's hard for me, and one of the rabbis said last week that as long as my mother associates with Arabs my life won't get easier." I said, "You know what? You, and your children and your rabbi won't change my opinion."” [Source in Complete Interview]
Yafit Gamila Biso
The Olive Tree
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I didn't see my grandchildren, my son's children, for a year. He is religious and the rabbis told him -- I don't know who told my son's rabbis, though during the activities we attend we're photographed everywhere we go -- that "your mother associates with Arabs." They thought they would apply some pressure. I kept calling my son for a month saying I was coming to see the kids and he found reasons, "mother don't come, we're going, we're coming, we're cleaning." Finally I said, "What's the story? Can't I come visit my grandchildren?" And he said, "To tell the truth mother, I'm miserable, it's hard for me, and one of the rabbis said last week that as long as my mother associates with Arabs my life won't get easier." I said, "You know what? You, and your children and your rabbi won't change my opinion."” [Source in Complete Interview]
Aziz Abu Sarah
Bereaved Families Forum, All For Peace Radio
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ There are those who completely support what I’m doing, and there are also those who completely don’t. I have both Arab and Jewish friends, and I have Jewish friends that do not support what I’m doing. But none of my friends have stopped talking to me or stopped wanting to be my friend because of what I do. Each one has his own opinion, and there are many who do not have hope that people can change.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Rutie Atsmon
Windows
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I have been visiting the [Palestinian] Territories for almost 30 years, so we get used to things after such a long time. I'm used to walking around Palestinian cities, I have spent so much time in Palestinian villages and cities that it's normal for me, there's nothing strange about it. But maybe because I'm so used to it, I've lost my sense of danger. I don't know, and maybe I'm making a mistake! Some people tell me, "You're crazy, you're crazy, you're going there, you trust them?" I don't know, maybe I am, but I personally feel very comfortable.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Sarah Karajeh
Bereaved Families Forum
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ People ask me what do my family, neighbors and colleagues think about my work. To be honest, the Palestinian people may be boiling, but inside they are very simple and are interested in the presence of people whom they can trust. The people that hold dialogue with Israelis are well respected among Palestinians. We aren't in dialogue with intelligence officers, we are in dialogue with people who have lost their loved ones, were suppressed and suffered from the occupation.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ My children were in seventh and eight grade. They told me, "Daddy, people are saying you help terrorists." That broke me. Even if they did realize it wasn't true, that's it. It clings to you and continues with you and your children have to deal with other kids saying, "My dad read in the paper that your dad collaborates with terrorists." This is a pretty radical example, but I think it represents the price you pay when you go all the way with your opinions, when you don't cut corners.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Eliyahu McLean
The Sulha Peace Project, Jerusalem Peacemakers, Middleway
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Several people I've known have been killed in suicide bombings [...] One guy was an Israeli Vipasana Buddhist meditator, Alon Goldenberg, a hippy guy with dreadlocks I used to dance with. He was on a bus in Wadi Arah, and he was killed by a suicide bomber. I went to sit with his parents in Yaffo. His father is a fisherman. After two hours of talking about Alon and his life and everything they had gone through, they said, "So by the way, what kind of work do you do?" To be honest I felt kind of ashamed in that context to say I work with Arabs, with Palestinians, for peace and understanding. I didn't know what his father thought. A year later we met again at the unveiling of Alon's tombstone at the cemetery near Tel Aviv. As we were standing over Alon's grave, his father asked, "Eliyahu, are you still working with the Arabs?" I said, "Yeah," and I thought, "Okay, here it comes, what's he going to say, and over his son's grave, too." He said these words that I hold with me to this day, that I think of when you ask if I get discouraged. He said, "Eliyahu, I'm counting on you."” [Source in Complete Interview]
Adina Shapiro
Middle East Children's Association (MECA)
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ The context of going to speak to the other side has subversive elements to it and I don't think that we can ignore that. I think that it has a lot of impact on what takes place, especially in a meeting of both sides when everyone feels the need to be loyal to their own group. Because, when we are in despair, why should I show my weakness to the other side? I think that part of the mission that we have to be able to work on is how to not see questioning and feedback as a breach in loyalty.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Adele Zumot
All for Peace Radio
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Some people appreciated the kind of work I did and the atmosphere I did it in. They thought it was a good idea for a radio station. It didn’t change my relationship with anyone, because I didn’t come out of an extremist environment that didn’t believe in peace education. On the contrary, I grew up in an environment that wanted peace. I can’t recall a time any of my family members told me something like “forget it, why do you bother with peace and so on.”” [Source in Complete Interview]
Riyad Faraj
Parents Circle-Bereaved Families Forum
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Not everyone will comprehend that I would sit with an Israeli, tell him about my problem and listen to his. No one expects that I would have a relationship with an Israeli. They would consider it humiliating for me to tell an Israeli about how my father and brother died, and how my son is not living a good life, while the Israeli is. In our society you won't find a lot of people that can understand--you will find a lot of extremists. That's why we will face a problem here with starting the [Bereaved Families] Forum.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Adi Dagan
Coalition of Women for Peace, Machsom Watch
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ […In] general I see that making the Israeli public take an interest in what happens on the Palestinian side isn't working that well…I'm debating the matter. It's undecided. There's another approach that's gaining momentum: showing the effects of the checkpoints and the occupation on soldiers and on the army, showing the extent of the harm to our side. Perhaps this is an effective approach but it doesn't really appeal to me; however I see that it's something the press is always interested in.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Being a left-wing activist in Jerusalem is not easy. It's simpler in Tel Aviv or Haifa-- anywhere else. People here view me as a traitor. I can guarantee that. I worked for the Municipality for twenty years; at a certain point I stopped being promoted because of my political views. How do I know that? I applied for many positions, which people less qualified than I received. They got the jobs I wanted. I also was told straightforwardly. My superior said, "Meir, why don't you stop applying - they won't allow you to be promoted. You are outside the consensus as far as the Municipality is concerned." I heard it straight and I can show you documents that attest to it.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Kitty O. Cohen
Folklore of the Other: The Institute for the Study of Religion and Communities in Israel
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ This work contributes in that it reduces prejudices; it breaks down the wall of prejudice that lies between Palestinian and Israeli children and between their communities. As a result of the exhibitions, the children’s siblings and parents shared their pride and met in good spirits. This helped as well. The other child -- Jewish or Palestinian -- no longer was an enemy but a friend they loved to meet. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Majed Tbeileh
Nablus Youth Federation, The Future Generation Hands Committee
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Interview Highlights »
“ Currently, the Palestinian street rejects us. Despite this, we hold meetings every week, and the number of our members has grown from 750 before the intifada to 1500 today. If we held a concert, 5000 people would attend. We make it clear that we have meetings with the Israelis-- it is published on our website. […] As the executive committee of the federation, we are convinced of the importance of what we are doing. Still, when I walk through the city I expect to be harmed at any moment. I work in a city that hasn’t yet fully recognized that there should be dialogue in addition to the military struggle.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Inas Radwan
Building Bridges for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ There is no support at all from the ones around you, your friends. Maybe family supports me a little but they are always afraid, and keep warning me not to talk about certain things or to say certain things. Same with the follow-up meetings that are close to being impossible; I mean, I need to take six taxis to get to Jerusalem and it's all illegal. In a normal situation, going to Jerusalem usually takes around an hour and a half but now it takes me five to six hours.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Khulood Badawi
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Ta'ayush, Coalition of Women for Peace, Bat Shalom
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ There are certain voices that aren't against me personally, but are against the idea of Arab-Jewish cooperation and communication. Because of their bitter historical experience, the Palestinian people have the right to have doubts about joint work. These experiences include Oslo and experience with political movements that were fashionable after Oslo. It was easy to found an Israeli-Palestinian organization that wasn't based on an equal or shared foundation. This failed model scared many people. This raised the question "what is co-existence"-- Israelis and Palestinians eating a meal together, or Israelis and Palestinians together resisting the uprooting of olive trees?” [Source in Complete Interview]
Itamar Shapira
Combatants for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ We come to talk to people in the name of militancy because it grabs people’s attention and they feel it’s legitimate for us to be talking about reconciliation. We are addressing both societies in this manner because in both societies the ethos of war is central. If we talk about pacifism and an anti-war approach, that won’t be accepted by the societies socially or politically. People view that as outsiders’ approach or as removed from reality. Our position, as people who were combatants, is more practical and it is easier to speak from there. We feel that our direction is anti-war though.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Inas Radwan
Building Bridges for Peace
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Interview Highlights »
“ It's not easy at all to say I have a Jewish friend or say that I am going to a camp in America with Jews. First of all they will think that you sold your cause. There are a lot of closed-minded people that think like that. I had a friend that knew about the program, so when I told her I was going, she said: are you crazy? Do you still want to go meet them when they want to bomb the Aqsa? How can you still think of peace with them?” [Source in Complete Interview]
Michal Zak
The School for Peace
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Interview Highlights »
“ I don't usually share things in larger social circles; I usually censor what I say. I never am as candid as I am at home, or with you. The possibility of influencing people is very small. People won't really be convinced because you tell them what happened in Rafah was shocking. People usually have their own realms of perception, and have a very clear picture of the world.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Majed Tbeileh
Nablus Youth Federation, The Future Generation Hands Committee
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ I was married and was forced to divorce because I couldn’t continue with my work while I was married. My work had a negative affect on my wife even though she used to work with me. Today, I think that I will be forced to marry somebody from outside Nablus, because I will not find the woman I want in Nablus. That is because the community doesn’t accept my work. The community is afraid of my work with the Israelis.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Itamar Shapira
Combatants for Peace
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ Many people view my work as “talking to the enemy” or think I hate the Israeli people or that I am a traitor; every person has their own views. At first it bothered me more and I felt as though I was no longer considered the salt of the earth. I used to be in a social position that always landed me jobs. Every time you apply for a job or interview with a company and tell that you were a brave soldier, it’s taken into consideration because it has some glory or status in Israeli society. That’s something you give up because you aren’t in the consensus anymore; people view me as part of the radical Left.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Salwa Abu Libdeh
Dialogue On The Road
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Interview Highlights »
“ At first I was worried to do this work and to work with an Israeli journalist, because I didn’t want people to think that I was normalizing relations with the Israelis. But I think that anyone could do his work and maintain his personal opinions. I didn’t change who I am or what I believe in, I just did the work. I didn’t humiliate any value or principle, I just went and filmed and did my job. I also delivered my message. I had the freedom to decide what I wanted to cover and what questions I wanted to ask, nothing was imposed on me. However, we were careful not to touch religious issues because it's very sensitive, even though I, as a Muslim, believe in all three religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. We just wanted to see the average person on the street. A lot of my friends told me to be careful that the film should not turn out to be about normalization, but I told them that I am working on this film with my own thoughts and beliefs, and I have the right to agree or disagree with the work. Even the management of the television station supported us.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Adina Shapiro
Middle East Children's Association (MECA)
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Interview Highlights »
“ I think that my community was able to accept hearing this other perspective from within. And it's probably the result of me not coming in a confrontational way. I have my criticism of my own community just like I have criticism of many things, but I wasn't coming from the outside, I wasn't coming to say this is all terrible. I received a lot, I have a lot of appreciation and respect for where I come from. And I think that that is felt, and there are some differences of opinion, and there are some people who say that they're happy that I did it because it gives legitimacy for them to have a different opinion within the community.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Shlomi Daskal
The People's Voice, Realistic Religious Zionism
Portrait »
Interview Highlights »
“ In the People’s Voice, our main advantage is that every side works with their people. That’s the mantra. We’re doing it for Israel and they’re doing it for a Palestinian State. They aren’t doing this for the Israelis and we aren’t doing it for the Palestinians. This is a patriotic initiative on the part of Israeli patriots and Palestinian patriots, each looking out for their own national interests. That’s the basis of our uniqueness and also perhaps our success.” [Source in Complete Interview]
Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
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Interview Highlights »
“ When Israelis hear about house demolitions, they assume that it belonged to a terrorist. We're trying to say that not only are these people not terrorists, but these can be people who support peace, who could have Israeli friends, people involved in activities for coexistence, totally innocent people. When people see the woman crying with the baby by the house [in the photo] we want them to feel it has gone too far. From that point on we can introduce the rest of the [political] claims.” [Source in Complete Interview]
