« Thematic Highlights

International Involvement

Ali Abu Awwad
Bereaved Families Forum, Al Tareek (The Way) Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ The conflict is delivered to the world through the media or through politicians. Neither the media nor Israeli politicians can present me to the international community in the right way. I seek to present myself to the world and tell them the truth about what is actually happening. [...] The world treats us either in a violent way or disregards us. They support Israel in terms of a supply of arms, confining the conflict to the Jews and Muslims, or to the Israelis and Palestinians. I want the whole world to announce that there are two peoples who have the right to live honorably, freely in their owns states. The Forum’s message to the world is that if we can sit together and talk, so can everybody else, including politicians. We urgently need funding and we need the world to support us. We don’t get paid for our work in the Forum, but I can’t perform activities beyond my personal contribution. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Michal Zak
The School for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I think the most powerful and influential here is the US, and we need to influence them most. I think it’s pretty hard though. The Jewish community in the US is so strong in their politics and in their official support for Israel that it makes it difficult. I think the most important thing for me is to address Jewish communities abroad […] I think it’s more important to try and change the trends that are so dominant within the Jewish lobby. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Robi Damelin
Parents Circle - Bereaved Families Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ One of the biggest problems in the situation here is that people are either pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli. When you're pro something it makes you feel very good about yourself. I remember I was with Nadwa at a meeting at a Presbyterian church somewhere in Chicago where they weren't too keen on me. We were sitting at the dinner table and this guy leaned over to her and said, "You know, I'm very pro-Palestinian." So she said, "Well I don't know, where has that gotten me up to now?" There was something very deep in what she said, because being pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian is like saying, the poor Palestinians or the poor Israelis and waving a flag. When somebody recognizes that the Palestinians and the Israelis aren't going to disappear and says, "Let's support Israel to get out of the Occupied Territories," I say they are supporting both sides. If this kind of non-judgmental interference would come from outside, I would be very happy.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Dr. Ron Pundak
Peres Center for Peace, Peace NGOs Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ As an Israeli, I think the international audience should differentiate between Israeli government policies and the existence of Israel [….] Any government should be criticized or supported, that’s legitimate. But criticizing the government of Israel should be differentiated from criticizing the legitimacy of the State of Israel or the existence of Israel.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Shlomo Zagman
Realistic Religious Zionism, Mosaica Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Come and see things for yourself…It isn't that they are seeing lies, but a one-sided approach is what you learn from the media. I can't really complain because this conflict echoes loudly all over the world. Nearly everywhere in the world people who watch television and are media-oriented know what's going on here, more or a less. It might not be true for the nuances or small scale politics, but it's true for the general picture. People are getting a certain picture from a very certain angle and it isn't a good picture. I think people should come and get to know things [here], if they're interested.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Tzvika Shahak
Association for the Commemoration of Bat-Chen Shahak, Bereaved Families Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ [I want international audiences to know] the truth. The fact that the majority wants peace, on both sides, and must be assisted; that's what I want -- and for them to donate the funds that are necessary for this. I believe that economic welfare and democracy on the Palestinian side will speed up the process.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Aziz Abu Sarah
Bereaved Families Forum, All For Peace Radio Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I think that we do need a third party, but that party should not be biased... America which is the most involved right now, is one-sided. I keep hearing Bush saying that Israel is our ally and no matter what happens, we will always choose to be their ally. These phrases will make any Palestinian wonder how he or she could trust America to be a mediator. It has been Israel’s ally from the beginning, so it will definitely not help the situation. This will not help at all, and what America doesn’t know is that these actions hurt Israel as much as they hurt Palestine.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Wafa Srour
The School for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Today countries around the world donate money to fund our peace organizations. There are times when I want to tell them to stop, and instead to use their money to build factories that will provide Palestinians with jobs. How can I expect a man to be good to his wife when he does not have a job and cannot feed his children? How is he supposed to be able to live? A starving nation will not be capable of achieving anything. We need to build schools and educate our people. First and foremost, however, our people need food to eat, because it is only then that they will be able to think about other things.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Gidon Bromberg
EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I think that every dollar that has been allocated to this region-and we're talking about billions of dollars a year-should identify a peace dividend, and they don't. The whole concept of "how is a given activity going to help create peace" is not sufficiently thought through.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Our work changes according to geopolitical changes in the region. There was a time when we had a more sympathetic ear in the government, for example, when Barak was Prime Minister. Usually when the Labor Party takes part in the coalition and controls the ministries relevant to our matters we could just pick up the phone to the ministers and say, 'look here, you've gone too far!' [...] Things have changed. We no longer have people who listen in important government posts, so we work less on lobbying and more on using the legal framework.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Itamar Shapira
Combatants for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Because international audiences’ opinion potentially have financial importance, I think it’s important to convey the message to the world that this war can come to an end, that it isn’t a war centered on uncompromising religions that want to kill everyone, a holy war. That’s a common perception in Europe, as well as in Bush’s head. I also want to say that this has an end and that must begin with the strong side. If I could set European foreign policy, I would decide to boycott Israel or threaten to boycott Israel until it withdraws from the Territories.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I don't believe we can reach a peace agreement on our own at present. We lack both the will and the capacity to do so. I believe we've arrived at a point in history where we can't dislodge ourselves from this situation without the intervention of an international actor or actors - it could be the Quartet if they wanted. The withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is proof of that. We would never go through with it without the massive pressure that the US is applying.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Daniel Seidemann
Ir Amim Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I would say that there are three important international audiences: Washington, Washington, Washington. At the moment. Of course, I’m exaggerating. I think that much of what happens is decided in Washington, and decided in a very narrow way in Washington. [...I think the US can be most constructive] number one, by re-engaging, because there has been disengagement, which I think has had a very adverse effect: “Let 'em bleed.” And by prioritizing, asking what is of utmost importance, and focusing on that. Stopping terror is clearly one of them, generating a genuinely democratic process is clearly one of them, and here I agree with Bush Administration. But also, preventing Israeli actions that will predispose the outcome of final status, that will perhaps destroy the two state solution. Those things are happening, and there’s no American engagement.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Wafa Srour
The School for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ It is strange how the entire world becomes blind when it turns its eyes towards the Palestinians. It is ironic how the world claims to reject occupation, yet silently watches as we are shattered and oppressed. I want these people to remove their masks and show their true faces. These countries care only about power and control, be it internal or external. Unfortunately, America, the “mother of peace” is not doing a thing. Neither are the Europeans, although I expected more from them.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Salwa Abu Libdeh
Dialogue On The Road Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I was in the USA for a media course, and they don’t know what Palestine is, they only know Israel. The Americans are in charge now, but they and their people know nothing about the Palestinian issue. So [....] they need to see what those two small nations are doing together. This needs to be shown to them and to the two people themselves.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Michal Eskenazi
Young Israeli Forum for Cooperation Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I want [international audiences] to know and to gain some experience. As an Israeli, I experience the shock in meeting with Palestinians. I don't want to think about what people who don't live here see, viewing us through the lens of journalism/literature/academia. I think there is a big difference between them and people who have visited and lived here for a year or two. They are Europeans and it is no less of a shocking experience -- I don't mean this negatively so let's call it "exhilarating". I'm saying this based on encounters with people from abroad, European organizations, people who came to the Territories to volunteer -- it means really being in the field.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Shlomi Daskal
The People's Voice, Realistic Religious Zionism Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ The EU can exert its influence; the United States could change a lot here. There’s a lecturer at Ben-Gurion University who says that it’s simple: Israel’s policies are formed by external pressures. Everything is influenced, even legislation in the Knesset.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Yafit Gamila Biso
The Olive Tree Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I remember from studying international trade that in the EU common market they don’t count Israeli produce made in the Territories as Israeli. I think that it’s a wise move to say to Israel, look, listen, stop! These Territories aren’t yours; they are Palestinian. This product isn’t Israeli but rather Palestinian. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Ibtisam Mahameed
Interfaith Encounter Association, Middleway Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ It is known that America is interested in the existence of the State of Israel in order to defend its own interests at the expense of the Palestinian people and the tension in the Middle East. Do you think America is concerned about us? Would America start a war in Iraq and forget that the Palestinians are suffering for 50 years if they were concerned about us?”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Majed Tbeileh
Nablus Youth Federation, The Future Generation Hands Committee Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ The biggest misconception is that the world thinks that the conflict is between two countries. They don’t know that the conflict is between a strong country and a people. They don’t know about the checkpoints. When the world talks about a ceasefire between the two sides they don’t know what they are talking about. The conflict is between a great power and a disempowered people. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Nader Khatib
Water and Environmental Development Organization, Friends of the Earth Middle East Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ We still face certain problems because much of our work is financed by Americans, who don’t allow anyone from the PA to take part in any of our meetings or activities. We had no problems inviting local council members to the US, or working with the Jericho city council, because none belonged to Hamas, but in other cases we have faced problems working with local or city councils. We can't work in a city and ignore the city council. The city council is the main address in every city, so either you cooperate with it, or you don't work there at all.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Abigail Jacobson
Hands of Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ There were many challenges because of intercultural differences, not so much between me and Ghazan because we pretty much were on the same page, but between us and the Americans who direct the organization in the US. Some of them don't really understand exactly how complex it is here. They don't see how much we need to do to prepare for a meeting here in Jerusalem, and just how unstable it is in terms of the chances a meeting will be canceled because of closures. They don't understand this. There are very big cultural differences as well as differences in perspective on the conflict.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Orly Noy
All For Peace Radio Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ For me the Arab audience is the most important international one-- much more important than either the European or the American one. Because we are placed in the middle of the Middle East, and if we want to stay in this country, we are going to have to learn to communicate with the Arab world, and they should be much more important to us than the Europeans or the Americans. They are whom we are going to have to deal with eventually, like it or not. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Michal Zak
The School for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I think the most powerful and influential here is the US, and we need to influence them most. I think it’s pretty hard though. The Jewish community in the US is so strong in their politics and in their official support for Israel that it makes it difficult [....] I think the most important thing for me is to address Jewish communities abroad […] try and change the trends that are so dominant within the Jewish lobby.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Yehuda Stolov
Interfaith Encounter Association Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ People from outside can contribute positive things, but their contribution should be encouraging the sides to meet and solve the problems together. That can be a lot of work. People from outside can contribute to that, and that is what they should be doing. When people come to show solidarity with a side it’s very nice for that side in the immediate sense of encouragement and support. It might even help that side, but it doesn’t contribute to advancing peace in the region.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Shwanesh Maniov
Seeds of Peace, Children of Abraham Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ America sides with Israel, and Europe with the Palestinians. So there are these forces. There are two forces that don’t allow dynamics to kick in. But if Europe and America were to lay down a tough hand, then we would find ourselves on our own, having to deal with the situation.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Ariel Huler
Seeds of Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ The Israeli society is more and more America-oriented, and I think most of the people feel that the United States is a true ally. I think the problem now is that the Palestinian side doesn’t see the States as a neutral party. So maybe the American involvement doesn’t help. Maybe it does the contrary. I always have an idea that might sound bizarre, but I think that Jordan, Egypt and Germany -- Germany because of the history -- could be very powerful mediators.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Inas Radwan
Building Bridges for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ America is the only country that has influence here. They could either support the continuation of the conflict or put it to an end. They could simply tell the Israelis that they will cut off the weapon supplies and support unless they stop killing Palestinians.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Dr. Ron Pundak
Peres Center for Peace, Peace NGOs Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I would like to see the international players become more involved in trying to advance our ability to use our own tools. All our activities are based on donations. NGOs like ours-- non-political, non-governmental organizations-- don’t get one dime from the Israeli government, and we are dependent on assistance coming from other governments, or foundations, or individual donors. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Gidon Bromberg
EcoPeace/Friends of the Earth Middle East Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ People from outside shouldn't be coming here in order to tell one or the other of us off. They should be coming here in order to help both. Of course they can be critical, but if the attitude is not "We're here to help both of you resolve this horrible conflict," then they're not doing any good. They're not helping anyone by being biased for the benefit of one or the other. [...] People come out here with great intentions to help the process, but they haven't been trained to work in a conflict situation. And I've seen it first hand; they become haters. They hate the other side sometimes even more than the Israelis or the Palestinians, and therefore they become of no value. They become really damaging to the process, to any prospects of peace building. And that is terrible.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Michal Zak
The School for Peace Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I think the most powerful and influential here is the US, and we need to influence them most. I think it’s pretty hard though. The Jewish community in the US is so strong in their politics and in their official support for Israel that it makes it difficult [....] I think the most important thing for me is to address Jewish communities abroad […] try and change the trends that are so dominant within the Jewish lobby.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Meir Margalit
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ When Clinton was in office it was easier for us to ring up the American Consulate or Embassy and tell them that a housing complex was scheduled to be demolished in Hebron, Jerusalem or some remote town in Samaria. They would pick up the phone and speak to Peres, Ben-Ami, or Beilin, and things were sorted out. We still update the Americans and they are very keen on knowing what's happening, but they no longer pick up the phone and solve problems. Everything is changing; our work changes according to both the internal and international reality.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Professor Sami Adwan
PRIME (Peace Research Institute in the Middle East) Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ The pressure groups that are based outside of the locus of the conflict also play a big role. Unfortunately, however, the way that they understand and analyze the conflict is wrong. If I were a member of a lobby in America or Europe, I would also support the state of Israel. But how can I help Israel achieve security as long as it continues to be an occupier? The Jewish lobbies in America, such as AIPAC, are not cognizant of this situation. All they care about is sending money to support Israel. AIPAC plays a very influential role, but is its role pro-peace or anti-peace? Personally, I think that its role is not only against peace, but that it is also against the best interests of the Israelis who live here in a situation of ongoing conflict and fear.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Adele Zumot
All for Peace Radio Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ It is common for people to get involved in a self-interested way, but no one says, “Hey those people are suffering, let me help.” I am talking about governments, because there are a lot of people around the word that support the cause of peace in our country. The difficulty is how much of an impact those people have on their governments.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Sarah Karajeh
Bereaved Families Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ At the moment I don’t feel that any international audience affects the situation. The Arab or Islamic audiences may have had an effect in the past, but to my regret today there is no action and I don’t know if the people have taken tranquilizers or can’t move their tongues anymore. Even the European people once took a stand, but at the current stage I don’t see any movement.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Helmi Kittani
Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Today, in my opinion, the Americans have the biggest influence on the nature of things. But I think that all the international bodies must get involved, the United Nations, Europe, also the Arab countries that believe in peace because that will contribute to the building of the atmosphere, to the building of the economy and to ensure that this peace will be a lasting one... And countries like the US, Europe and Egypt can help the State of Israel to integrate and help the State of Palestine to exist and build its institutions and its economy and, in the future, build with Israel a strong economy that will allow them to export to the entire world.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Ester Golan
Interfaith Encounter Association Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ I wish people from abroad would see us in the light of a human being rather than a political entity. Because we are first and foremost and right at the bottom and right at the top, human beings. I think that anyone who has been here to Israel begins to realize that they didn't understand what it's all about from far away. And anybody who enters my home realizes who I am, and I'm no longer an anonymous number. So I think people who think they know the answer to all of our troubles, they should come first and meet us, and then maybe they'll be able to help us cope better with life. Because there is no one answer.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

The Late Professor Dan Bar-On
PRIME (Peace Research Institute in the Middle East) Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ People from the outside can help but it’s limited. We saw it in our seminars, when you bring a third party in, as helpful as he wants to be, first of all he has to learn all the refinements of the setting, and then also right away it creates a situation where each side wants to grab him for themselves. It disrupts the process. So sometimes it’s better to keep the third party out and to really move forward with the two parties. Third parties do not always know how to play that role. ”  [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 »

“ Despite all these hard facts, the internationalization of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is encouraging. The conflict isn’t confined to the Israeli and Palestinian playing field. Joint Israeli-Palestinian activities and the international community have an effect on the conflict. Many groups and societies share the responsibility. I am encouraged that many people around the world are concerned with the Palestinian issue. It's encouraging that I am not alone in my work and that there are many voices around the world that unite in support of the just cause of the Palestinian people.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Daniel Seidemann
Ir Amim Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ As problematic as our peace agreements are with Egypt and Jordan, their voices as the voices of moderation in providing legitimacy to peace as a process and to Israel as such has an enormous amount of impact, so I wouldn’t be too Washington-centric.”  [Source in Complete Interview]

George Sa'adeh
Bereaved Families Forum Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ On the international level we hope that the sponsors of peace, primarily the US and the EU, will work honestly and fairly in order to reach an equal settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians. ”  [Source in Complete Interview]

Rutie Atsmon
Windows Portrait »
Interview Highlights »

“ Israelis don't feel that if something were to happen now the world would stand by us; maybe the United States would if it was in their interest. This is very important and I think this needs to be done at the same time as telling us to behave. Definitely there is a role for the international community. Part of it is giving a push to the Palestinian economy, to make it less dependent on Israel. Oh, yes, and giving us-- organizations that work to promote peace-- money, a lot of money! [...] If countries could contribute more money towards work that can change the way people think.”  [Source in Complete Interview]