Five Israeli and Palestinian groups building peace in the Middle East
19th June 2023
THIS year looks set to be the deadliest on record for Israelis and Palestinians caught up in the seven decade-long conflict, which shows no sign of stopping.
Since January 2023, 156 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military, including 26 children.
Meanwhile, 14 Israelis - most of them civilians - have been killed by extremist Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank.
Seemingly, the tit-for-tat violence is set to continue into the future. And it would perhaps be easy for witnesses to feel despondent about the situation as it stands.
However, there are - despite the relentless fighting, death and destruction - green shoots of hope emerging amidst the devastation of precious lives cut short.
Groups at all levels of Palestinian and Israeli society are organising to bring people on both sides of the conflict together to promote positive social change.
Here are five different organisations helping build peace in the Middle East:
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1. B’Tselem (Jerusalem) - the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
A group of Israeli academics, lawyers, and MPs interesed in social justice for Palestinians founded B’Tselem in 1989 during the first Intifada, or ‘uprising.’
Its vision is to record human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, educate the Israeli public about the conflict, and advocate for shifts in policy within the Israeli authorities.
The organisation also seeks to combat the phenomenon of Nakba-denial prevalent amongst Israelis, and proliferate a more balanced history of Israel and Palestine.
2. The Freedom Theatre (Jenin Refugee Camp)
The Freedom Theatre is a Palestinian theatre group which facilitates acting, writing and filmmaking classes amongst refugees.
It encourages participants in the Jenin camp to see art as a catalyst for peaceful resistance and social change.
The co-founder of the group, Juliano Mer-Khamis (whose mother was an Israeli Jew and whose father was Palestinian), said: “My dream is that the Freedom Theatre will be [a] major force, cooperating with others, in generating a cultural resistance, carrying on its shoulders the universal values of freedom and justice.”
3. +972Mag (Israel)
+972 Mag is an English-language webzine founded by a group of left-wing Israeli bloggers, journalists, and photographers.
It aims to provide high-quality reporting and analysis on Israel-Palestine which is based on a commitment to human rights, freedom of information, and the end of the occupation.
It’s contributors are a diverse range of creatives who all believe in free, uncensored, and honest journalism, and in giving a voice to the Palestinian people.
4. The Parents Circle / Family Forum (Palestine and Israel)
The Parents Circle / Family Forum was founded in 1995.
It comprises a network of some 600 families - both Palestinian and Israeli - who put on events to educate attendees about the pain they have experienced in losing a loved one in the conflict.
The group works to create opportunities for cross-cultural communication and to help foster reconciliation between Jews and Arabs.
5. Combatants for Peace (Israel and Palestine)
Combatants for Peace is a group of former soldiers and ex-militants in Israel and Palestine who have decided to put down their weapons and take-up constructive dialogue instead.
The organisation aims to reject violence and promote reconciliation between the two sides, while exerting pressure on the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to end the conflict.
