OneVoice Movement

A father’s loss fuels peaceful activism in Palestine and beyond

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, left, author of “I Shall Not Hate,” with Imad Falouji, president of the Adam Center, in Gaza City August 13.

There are no words to describe the horror Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish went through. In January 2009, during the tail end of the Gaza War, an Israeli tank attacked his home, killing his three daughters. He would never hear the laughter of Bessan, 21, Mayar, 15, and Aya, 13, ever again.

The cyclical nature of violence, death, anger, and retaliation is something residents of the Gaza Strip have endured for many decades. There are others who suffer as Dr. Abuelaish did, trapped in the coastal territory by the will of global actors playing with their fates.

But Dr. Abuelaish is different. He focuses his energies on nonviolence, so much so he won the respect of the international community several times over and established the Daughters for Life Foundation.  

Nonviolence also happens to be the tactic OneVoice Palestine (OVP) preaches on a daily basis, which is why the doctor paid OVP-Gaza a visit on August 13 in coordination with the Adam Center in Gaza City.

During the meeting, Dr. Abuelaish focused on the lessons found in his book, I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey. He spoke about the power of refusing – however difficult and unpopular – to hate one’s enemy, as well as the need for mutual understanding, and eventually coexistence after ending the occupation.

“Don’t let hate and anger kill you from the inside and make you lose your humanity,” Dr. Abuelaish told the nearly 40 people in attendance.

Some of the participants grappled with their own hardships living in Gaza and with what Dr. Abuelaish was saying. In this unequal conflict, they found it hard to imagine any positivity coming from the relationship between the oppressor, Israel, and the oppressed, themselves.

Dr. Abuelaish understood this feeling, but told the participants that the burning anger Palestinians have must be used constructively and peacefully, or else they’ve already lost.

“Your oppressor wants to see you angry and violent,” the doctor said, “so he can have a clear conscience and justification for his crimes. Through creative, nonviolent protest, we can have a great and positive influence on the society of the oppressor.”

That is: a partner, working in parallel, for peace.

There were a number of Palestinians present who felt inspired by Dr. Abuelaish's story and embraced his call for nonviolent resistance.

“It’s very important that the youth in Gaza read and understand this new line of thinking,” said Omar Mansour.

OVP-Gaza Director Ezzeldeen Masri agreed.

“Nonviolent resistance allows all segments of our people to participate effectively in the march toward liberation and independence,” Masri said.  

It’s people like those at OVP, coupled with the memory of his daughters and what could have been, that keep the doctor going and his hope alive for a Palestinian state.

“Every Palestinian needs to be engaged in the struggle toward independence,” Dr. Abuelaish told the group before he parted. “Palestinians need to ask themselves, what is my role in the national struggle to end the occupation?”

We certainly know and welcome Dr. Abuelaish's role.

To learn more about the Daughters for Life Foundation, click here.

The participants listen intently to how Dr. Abuelaish controlled his anguish and used it for peace.

Coming Full Circle: OneVoice Community Leader Engages Constituents in US and Middle East

Reverend William Borror and congregants visited Bethlehem and OneVoice Palestine on July 11, 2013.

*By Michael Habib

Strong relationships do not develop overnight. They grow from a series of positive interactions, which build a level of respect, understanding, and appreciation between the parties involved.

One of the International Engagement Program’s (IEP’s) goals is to create long-lasting and impactful networks - whether it be student, community, or decision maker - across the United States. These relationships are beneficial to both OneVoice and the communities involved as we all gain the opportunity to learn from one another, simultaneously strengthening and growing the Movement supporting the two-state solution and the end of the occupation among Americans through engagement with Israeli and Palestinian activists, and building momentum and motivation for our Youth Leaders that are working in parallel in their respective societies in Israel and Palestine.  

Reverend William Borror, a Presbyterian pastor, has had a long history of involvement with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. At his church, he was a member of the Middle East Monitoring Group and the Committee on Middle East and Peacemaking Issues. Both focused on conflict in the Middle East and its effects on the Christians in the region.

His connection to the conflict led him to attend the Christian Leadership Initiative, organized by the American Jewish Committee, last year in Jerusalem. The program focused on religious study in the Holy Land and featured guest speakers on various topics, such as religion, community, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It was during this summer trip that Rev. Borror first encountered the Movement. Youth Leaders spoke with the delegation as part of IEP about the conflict and what the two-state solution meant to them.

Rev. Borror was so moved by OneVoice's message that he wanted the chance to bring the activists back home. During the holiday season, Rev. Borror organized an alternative gifts drive where his parish raised money on behalf of OneVoice. This past March, during IEP’s Washington, D.C. tour, Rev. Borror and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (JFGP) co-hosted Wasim Almasri from OVP and Tom Bar-Gal from OVI for an interfaith event at Media Presbyterian.

The event, with 80 attendees, further confirmed to Rev. Borror the positive attributes of OneVoice's mission by highlighting our commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict, which focuses on the will of the people.

Following the successful event at Media Presbyterian (which is now Rev. Borror’s former parish), the relationship with Rev. Borror continued when he decided to bring a group to the region for a biblical pilgrimage. Based on his experience with OneVoice and his leadership in his church on Middle East peace issues, he knew that he wanted more out of this trip for his group than simply a tour, and reached out to OVP to speak with participants.

“I did not want this to just be a biblical pilgrimage, I wanted to add a dimension to the trip,” he said. “I wanted people from the group to meet a Palestinian and have a new perspective on the conflict.”

The two groups decided to convene at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on July 11 and walk the streets of the religiously significant town to talk about the realities of the conflict there (separation wall, closure, and occupation), allowing the visiting delegation to get an up close look at the struggles of everyday life and potentials of what could be in the future with a peace agreement and independent Palestinian state for those who live there.

“We talked about ending the occupation and the conflict in order to develop trust - we also talked about peace building and the work done by grassroots movements in the region,” said OVP Communications Officer Wasim Almasri, who organized the visit. “Our experience with the delegation, from meeting them in Pennsylvania to their trip to Bethlehem, has been engaging. They wanted to know about our experiences on the ground and it shows they are interested and deeply care.”

By sharing their experiences, stories, and beliefs about the conflict, both groups felt that they gained a better understanding of one another, allowing them to break the stereotypes often portrayed by media or popular culture.

“The way most US media portrays the conflict is different than what the facts are on the ground,” Wasim explained. “This experience allowed the American delegation to put a face to the conflict, allowing them to visualize the real conflict when they see the media’s portrayal.”

After the trip to the region, OneVoice's relationship with Rev. Borror is on pace to continue. He is working with OneVoice staff to find additional venues in and around Philadelphia in order to continue spreading the message of peace and a two-state solution.

Rev. Borror’s relationship with OneVoice exemplifies one of many ways that community members can build strong, long-lasting relationships with OneVoice and contribute to its mission. This network serves as a shining example of how Americans can educate their communities, amplify the voices of Israeli and Palestinian youth activists, and serve as partners in achieving the two-state solution.

IEP mobilizes American students and community members through education and advocacy efforts to play their role to ensure a just solution to this conflict. OneVoice recognizes the reality of the occupation creates unequal parties to the conflict. The Movement also understands that Israelis and Palestinians equally share the role and responsibility to propel their leaders toward the two-state solution that resolves all final status issues and establishes an independent Palestinian state, based on the borders of 1967 and international resolutions, at peace with Israel. This can only be achieved if the international community embraces its role, helping realize the vision of the Movement through constructive engagement and action.

*Michael Habib is the summer 2013 IEP intern at OneVoice.

Examining the political scene in Palestine: positive dialogue about the conflict

*By Wasim Almasri

OVP activists Raya Fatayer and Alaa Salous approach a young woman at the Nablus quiz night. See below for more images.

Every year OneVoice activists in Palestine celebrate Muslims' holy month of Ramadan with joy, kindness, and community work. Most of the activities OneVoice Palestine (OVP) implements during Ramadan (and the rest of the year) are generated by the youth leaders themselves, with their in-depth knowledge of their own communities. They believe in upholding and harnessing local traditions, in helping the other, and in building trust within their communities. So when several youth leaders came up with an idea to organize debates and quiz nights discussing the political issues of the day in Palestine, OVP was very supportive in bringing the vision to life.

OneVoice’s chapter in Nablus took on the first event by organizing a political quiz night in a big mall in the city. The idea was to ask the public questions and engage them in discussions about the conflict and the recently announced negotiations. OneVoice activists Alaa Salous and Raya Fatayer (shown in the picture above) asked local people questions about the conflict and gauged their view on numerous issues that were being debated that day. The outcome was surprisingly positive, giving the nature of these events and the state of apathy and cynicism that we have increasingly witnessed among young Palestinians.

People asked questions about the Movement and were intrigued to know more about OneVoice and the work we are doing across the West Bank and Gaza. The youth leaders handed out fliers and explained OneVoice activities and policies toward ending the occupation and the conflict and building the independent Palestinian state. The youth leaders were able to generate momentum and build solid arguments about negotiations and peace building.

The next day, it was the OneVoice chapter in Bethlehem’s turn. OVP's Executive Director, Samer Makhlouf, and the Youth Leadership Training Program Director Abdallah Hamarsheh joined 40 youth leaders hailing from six different villages and cities near Bethlehem.

"Every individual has to play a role, and this role is important like a small piece in a big puzzle," said Makhlouf. "We empower youth to contribute to building the de facto Palestinian state, ending the occupation, and creating a better future for the region. Now is the right time for action. The momentum being created with the renewal of peace talks gives us an even larger platform to demand a settlement freeze behind the Green Line, so we give these talks a chance."

Hamarsheh explained the importance of non-violent activism. He encouraged the youth leaders to be active in campaigns to boycott settlement products and debated the current negotiations. Hamarsheh also brainstormed ideas with the youth leaders for the International Youth Day on August 12. The youth agreed on organizing a peace marathon that runs through Bethlehem and shows support for the Palestinian leadership as they begin the negotiations.

Ramadan nights continued in Salfeet, as OVP joined the Abdul Qader Cultural Center in organizing an event on political and cultural debates. The event took place in Alzawieh, a town south of Salfeet, in partnership with a number of local organizations in the city. Over 60 people attended.

During the event, a documentary about the separation wall and expansion of settlements in the West Bank was shown to the audience. The organizers also reserved time to discuss the political scene and the current negotiations.

In Hebron, the numbers were significantly larger than we expected. Over 1,500 people attended OVP's event in Noba Public Park. OneVoice’s chapter in Hebron organized the event, entitled “The Reality of the Occupation and the Dream of the State,” with Hamarsheh, who spoke first about the Movement and emphasized the role of Palestinians in supporting the leadership during the negotiation process.

It was a night of celebration, politics, and folklore. The highest earned GPA graduates - whom scored a 99% in their governmental high school exams – were in attendance and they expressed interest in joining OneVoice. OVP offered congratulations to the families and the students and offered to accept them into the Youth Leadership Training Program once they sign up for college.

As chapters organized events to build consensus for ending the conflict and supporting negotiations, OneVoice activists in Jenin organized a Ramadan-themed charitable activity to strengthen the generosity spirit of the community.

“Generous Lanterns" - as lanterns are traditional symbols of Ramadan in Muslim cities - is what the youth leaders decided to name the initiative. They distributed Ramadan items, water, dates, and yogurt in the old market, along with the Movement's fliers to support the Palestinian leadership's negotiation efforts. These items show kindness toward fellow Muslims who are fasting during the holy month. The youth also wished the pedestrians a generous Ramadan and a happy Eid.

The Ramadan events were a wonderful opportunity for us and the youth leaders to connect with the community. We had the chance to discuss political, social, and economic issues and the negotiations. While most of the people we've met were skeptical about the progress of the current negotiations, we found most intrigued to learn more.

OneVoice recognizes that negotiations are key to an agreement that brings an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the occupation. With the possibility of talks on the horizon, our belief in this remains steadfast. After 20 years of on-and-off negotiations, we must recognize that any talks must be based on clear parameters (1967 borders and international resolutions) that will lead to the ultimate goal: an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, bringing security to the whole region. When Ramadan falls next year, we are looking forward to the hope of breaking our fast on the first Hilal as citizens of an independent country called Palestine.

*Wasim Almasri is the communications officer for OneVoice Palestine.

The Ramadan quiz night in Bethlehem focused on the political scene in the Palestine.

In Hebron, over 1,500 people congregated in Noba Park for the event entitled, "The Reality of the Occupation and the Dream of the State."

Youth leaders take part in the "Generous Lanterns" initiative in Jenin. 

Palestinian and Israeli Flags Fly in Knesset During Historic Meeting

Abdallah Abdallah (with microphone, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and head of the Parliamentary Committee of Political Affairs), MK Bar, and MK Dr. Ronen Hoffman (Yesh Atid).

A historic meeting took place in Jerusalem yesterday…and OneVoice was part of it!
 
For the first time ever, Members of Knesset (MKs) met with Palestinian officials in the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. Nearly one-third of the Knesset – 35 MKs – took part, along with several prominent Palestinian businessmen, politicians, and experts from academia, including members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and PLO members of the Civil Dialogue Committee. The Israeli and Palestinian flags were proudly displayed together on stage.
 
The event, organized by OneVoice Israel (OVI) in partnership with the Knesset’s Caucus for Ending the Israeli-Arab Conflict and the Negev Institute, is part of OVI's efforts to support a sustained and successful direct negotiation process during the coming months.
 
The Palestinian party met with Caucus Chair MK Hilik Bar, Israeli opposition chair MK Shelly Yechimovich, and MKs Yaakov Perry, Dr. Ronen Hoffman, Zehava Galon, Isawi Fri,Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Meir Sheetrit, Afou Agbaria, Muhammad Baraka, Hana Sweid,Miki Rosenthal, and many others. Ministers Yael German and Amir Peretz, and Deputy Minister Mickey Levy participated, as well. 
 
International media picked up on the event. Click below for a sample of articles!
 
Sky News: Peace Talks: Palestinians Visit Israeli Knesset
The Daily Star: Palestinians visit Israel's parliament
The Times of Israel: In Knesset, an upbeat start for a shadow peace summit
Ynet News: Palestinian flag in Knesset: 'Abbas wants peace'
The Jerusalem Post: Palestinian flag out in honor as PA officials visit Knesset

This meeting follows Tuesday’s “Peace Tent” rally outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The event was led by former MK Yael Dayan, Israel Prize Winner David Harel, professors, and civil society leaders whom spoke to concerned citizens about why negotiations are essential.
 
OVI Executive Director Tal Harris, who addressed the event, said “this is a demonstration of the critical mass of both citizens and leaders that exists on both sides of the Green Line, and is committed to peace, security, and statehood for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. This is OneVoice’s role. We want to show the negotiators in Washington that they have our support to make the tough compromises necessary to reach a historic deal.”