Students at the Al-HikmaIslamic School pose with OneVoice Youth Leaders Abeer Al-Natsheh and Danielle Cumpton after their event.
By Sharon Alsoodani*
The November 2013 UK Speaking Tour has come to a close, and after five days, two community events, 12 school sessions, four donor meetings, one university event, and 582 people reached, I’d like to reflect on the eventful week.
From November 25-29, Abeer Al-Natsheh, a OneVoice Palestine youth leader from Jerusalem, and Danielle Cumpton of OneVoice Israel and currently studying at Tel Aviv University, spoke to diverse audiences, visiting Al-Hikma Islamic School in Luton, the Jewish Society of City Boys’ School and South Hampstead Girls School, as well as a Quaker event in central London.
The Youth Leaders also helped form part of the panel for a discussion on the role of women in conflict resolution at an event hosted by Women in War and International Politics at King’s College London. I’ve had great experience speaking at many of these schools before, so the students had a fair amount of background knowledge which stimulated debate and led to vibrant discussions.
Although some questions asked by audience members were challenging, Danielle and Abeer handled each session with grace and patience and left the participants excited about the work of OneVoice. One student commented afterward that, “I see [this conflict] on the news every day, but I don’t know which side or narrative to trust. This is really helpful, to hear from people who are actually from there. How do I get involved?” For others, the highlight was just the personal connection with someone from Palestine or Israel. Girls at the Al-Hikma School were delighted to hear Hebrew spoken aloud, and many participants have signed up on OneVoice Europe’s online discussion forum to continue direct contact with the Youth Leaders.
Abeer and Danielle returned to their work in Israel and Palestine more motivated, having communicated to participants at different sessions the urgency of the current negotiations and the need to act now.
OVE is grateful to Lara Atkin for generously supporting this tour; Greg Rack and Cornelia Meyer for hosting meetings; and last but not least, our Youth Leaders Abeer and Danielle.
*Sharon Alsoodani is OVE’s Education Director and General Manager.
Danielle and Abeer at the discussion on the role of women in conflict resolution at Women in War and International Politics at King’s College London.
Students at the Jewish Society of City Boys’ School listen closely to Danielle and Abeer speak of their experiences living the conflict.
Every summer, OneVoice
Europe brings British students together for a frank and open discussion about
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This year’s programme was particularly
engaging because the peace process is back in action after several years
without direct talks.
From August 19-22, 19
students with an array of views, experiences, and backgrounds assembled at the
Tavistock Hotel in London. For many, it was their first time engaging with such
a diverse group on this issue and in this setting, which mirrors our
Israeli-Palestinian youth leadership programme in the Middle East.
The aims of this programme are
to increase participants’ knowledge of the history and complexities that have
led to the current situation in Israel-Palestine, to equip potential young
leaders to advocate a win-win approach, and to encourage pragmatic action
toward solutions for the current impasse, rather than taking a side.
A number of workshops were also held to teach certain
skills and techniques such as non-violent communication training, conflict resolution
training, and debating.
Distinguished guests including Daniel Levy from the
European Council of Foreign Relations, Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell,
and the Oxford Research Group’s Tony Klug took time out of their busy schedules
to engage with the students and provoke serious discussions on political
history, economics and the conflict, and non-violent campaigning. Three leaders
of the Abrahamic faiths were also invited to speak about the religious elements
of the conflict.
But the highlight of the event was a talk from the
Portland Trust’s Sebastian Welisiejko, who gave insight into the potential for
economic development to bring real progress in the peace process, especially in
light of the renewed negotiations. The students were excited when they heard
about the potential motivation for peace that could be gained from a move
toward prosperity in Palestine. One student, who had previously engaged in
activism supportive of the Israeli side, commented that one action she might
consider taking after the course would be to buy and support the promotion of
Palestinian products.
It was also very clear that
the young people bonded extremely well as a group, and several expressed how
valuable it had been for them to meet people from different backgrounds,
particularly for the non-Jewish students to have become friends with Jewish
people for the first time.
When
asked about how the course had affected their views on the conflict, one
student said: “It reinforced my belief in the need for a two-state solution and
that you can be pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, and pro-peace,” while another expressed
gratitude for the chance to participate: “I have had such an engaging and
enriching experience and I can’t begin to thank you enough for having given me
the opportunity.”
With the potential to
take influential positions within their universities (including SOAS,
Nottingham, Manchester, City, and Queen Mary), many of this group embraced the
pragmatic, win-win approach that OneVoice is advocating, and left the programme
with the motivation, inspiration, and ability to mobilise and convince others. Several
also indicated that they want to pursue a career that will maximise their
opportunity to have an influence at the political and/or civil society level
both in the UK and in Israel-Palestine.
The most striking and
repeated comment in the students’ feedback was that they had realised the
conflict is far more complex than they had previously thought. Many stated that
they had been anti-Israel before and now had some understanding of the Israeli
view. Another said that he had not realised the extent of the Palestinians’
sense of injustice until now. Such a transformation of attitudes toward the
people caught up in this conflict will inform our activism here in the UK,
uniting us to campaign for an end to the occupation and for both national movements
to renounce violence in order to live together in peace and security.
Note:
As
a follow up, OneVoice Europe will be offering these individuals and any future
participants of such programmes the opportunity to join the OVE Student Network.
Those who sign up will receive weekly political updates, further training,
reunion activities, and will be specifically coached in OneVoice messaging and
advocacy. We will be looking to harness these activists for university outreach
in 2013-2014 and provide them with oversight and support to set up their own
events within their universities or communities, promoting constructive action toward ending the conflict in Israel-Palestine.
They will also be called
upon to represent OV at speaking/panel events, networking events (e.g.
community/trade union/political meetings etc.), and to assist with the
organising and execution of IEP tours. This will commence with the Labour Party
conference in September, at which three of the participants have already
volunteered to join the OVE team. The group also expressed the desire to
organise their own trip to Israel-Palestine together which OVE can help to
facilitate.
*
Sharon Alsoodani is OVE’s Education
Director and General Manager
The Portland Trust’s Sebastian Welisiejko speaking to the students about economic development.
The students upon completion of the Summer Residential Programme.
OVI’s Gabi Avner speaks to Moseley School students on March 6.
March was an extremely successful tour month for OneVoice
Europe’s Outreach and Education Program (O&E).
Gabi Avner of OneVoice Israel and
Ahmed Shtaya of OneVoice
Palestine toured the three cities of London, Birmingham, and Manchester on
the first tour reaching over 500 people, while Nanor Arakelian of OVP and Maya
Peretz of OVI addressed over 600 people on a second tour in London. Both tours
paved the way for O&E to connect with established supporters and reach new
groups in 2013.
The Moseley School in Birmingham
was one of the first schools that partnered with OneVoice for pilot sessions in 2010. The school’s
students – many of whom with predominantly Muslim backgrounds – find the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be a sensitive issue. O&E made it a
priority to return to Moseley and discuss the conflict during the first
tour.
“We learned about the needs of the two
different states… and that after all everyone wants freedom and not to live in
war,” one Moseley student said after the event.
During the second tour, O&E
had the opportunity to conduct an event it had never done before. In the London
Borough of Waltham Forest is a branch of the Youth Offending Service. Enrolled
in this program are young people with experiences in conflict, including gang
violence in London neighborhoods. The enrollees responded well to the stories of
OneVoice youth leaders Israel and Palestine and what these activists are doing
to turn their situation – the status quo of violence, conflict, and occupation
– around for the better.
A case manager from the Youth
Offending Team said it was only the second time that they had experienced a
successful session from outside visitors with this group. The last time had
been a session about child soldiers. It seems that the young people needed to
address and process issues associated with conflict and were open to doing so
with OneVoice youth leaders who shared some similar life experiences.
One of the group members thanked
the OneVoice team for the intimate and informative talk. Reflecting on the day’s
event, he simply yet poignantly said, “it’s real life out there.”
“I was eager to encounter
audiences that had less knowledge about the conflict and the two-state
solution,” said OneVoice Israel’s youth leaders, Maya Peretz. “I was wary that
some of the audiences might not be so receptive, but these fears didn’t
materialize, and I felt our encounters were quite productive. Most importantly
was the fact that they got to hear both sides, and in a context of agreement
and speaking in one voice.”
Along with 13 other schools in the cities, O&E had the
opportunity to visit the East London Mosque,
the EU Commission, and provided a speaker for an event with the Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, which also reaffirmed the belief in expanding O&E’s
presence to untapped audiences while keeping close the early champions of
OneVoice’s mission. It shows that a firm base is now established from which to
facilitate dialogue in the UK about the end of the occupation and a just
solution that will ensure equality, human rights, and that the conflict is
ended.
"The tour experience was
phenomenal and challenging,” said Nanor. “I had the opportunity to meet new
people and felt that I actually am doing something for my country. I increased
my knowledge about the conflict and became even more supportive of OneVoice.
This tour motivated me to participate more in Palestine and also spread the
word of the importance of two states.”
The success of the March tour and
the program was also not lost on O&E Director Sharon Alsoodani.
“The Outreach and Education Program now has a broad base of
participation and has developed over the past two years to become a
multi-dimensional project,” said Sharon. “It offers an all-round package of
intensive education, grassroots encounters with Israelis and Palestinians, and
membership of a growing and diverse community that is for an end to the
occupation and a win-win solution.”
Nanor
Arakelian of OVP speaks to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign on March 24.
You can help fund a tour in Europe and bring youth leaders like Leeba Gilad, center, to your area.
As
2012 draws to a close, OneVoice Europe is gearing up for an ambitious new year
of projects to push for a two-state solution.
For a limited time only, your support can be doubled through the Big Give Christmas
Challenge starting on December 6 at 10am (GMT) with funds released on a
first-come, first-served basis.
The past month alone has seen moments of mixed emotions among Palestinian,
Israeli, and international supporters of two states. But the U.N. General Assembly vote, the
bluster of politicians, and November’s outbreak of violence have done little
to change the status quo. The conflict
and the occupation remain; Israelis and Palestinians remain in insecurity.
"With the situation in
the region as difficult as it is, and the window of opportunity for two states
closing, there really has never been a more important time for OneVoice to have
an impact,” said John Lyndon, executive director of OneVoice Europe.
Beginning December 6, online donations to
OneVoice Europe will be doubled by a combination of pledges from the Movement’s major donors and the Big Give’s Philanthropist Fund. There's a limited pot of matched funding
that we're competing for, with a good chance that it will all be exhausted by
Friday, December 7, so the best way to be sure that your donation is doubled is to
log in on Thursday morning.
Donors can now make a big difference for
much less money. When GiftAid is factored in, each donation is
worth an extra 125% of its original value. To put that into
context, a £5,000 donation (increased to £11,250) will fund two youth chapters
– one in Israel, one in Palestine – and all of their activities, costs,
campaigns and initiatives for one year.
There never has been
a better way of ensuring that each donation goes as far as possible toward
achieving the goal of two states, thanks to the Big Give Christmas
Challenge.
OVI youth leader Leeba Gilad, center, explains the importance of women's roles in peacemaking to the Bristol Women's Interfaith Network community event on October 17.
London, October 26, 2012 – Stonehenge. Roman baths. Ancient
castles. The Southwest of England is known for historical sites and beautiful
vistas, but from October 18-24, this region of England was also known to host
discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of the
two-state solution.
This was the first foray into the southwest of the country,
with a focus on schools, universities, and community groups in Exeter, Taunton,
and Bristol. Somerset and London were also stops on the five-day tour.
Both Malaka and Leeba focused their message on encouraging
people to be pro-solution and pro-justice, rather than supporting one side over
the other.
“I…learned that we must continue our work,” Leeba said of
the tour as a whole, “because a lot of people care about this region.”
Four school sessions dotted the week in the southwest,
reaching 230 students between the ages of 14 and 18. The students left the
programs impressed and mindful of what they knew about the conflict before, and
what insights Malaka and Leeba gave them after the sessions ended.
“We felt there has to be two states if the needs of both
Israelis and Palestinians are to be met,” said one student at Exeter School
after group discussions. "I hadn’t thought about conflict in this way
before.”
Reaching young people with conflict resolution tools and
equipping them with the awareness of an issue like Israel-Palestine before they
go on to university is a central part of O&E, according to Sharon
Alsoodani, director of the program.
At Taunton, a town home to a number of old, established religious
sites, the youth leaders met with members of Temple Methodist Church. Over 50
people came out on a rainy evening to discuss with Malaka and Leeba about
making a breakthrough for peace, leaving the parishioners “full of hope” and
with “a way that British people can truly support ordinary Israelis and
Palestinians.”
Next on the tour was the City of Bristol, which provided the
backdrop to a number of interreligious assemblies during the O&E tour. In
particular, a women’s interfaith event proved to be very diverse and fruitful,
sparking a partnership with Salaam-Shalom Radio, Bristol Women’s Network, and
Bristol Multi-faith Forum.
Malaka emphasised the efforts of OneVoice in small towns
like Qalqilia in the West Bank to empower women and get them more involved in
political life.
“Women’s role as mothers means that they have a unique
perspective to bring to the discussion about the peace process,” she said.
Two student events at Bristol University and a session about
peace activism at the Quakers’ ‘Called to be a Peacemaker’ conference in London
rounded out the tour, bringing total participation in the tour to nearly 400
people.
Throughout the week, Malaka and Leeba shared the same vision
and goal to break the status-quo in both their societies. They called for a
settlement freeze and ending all claims after solving all final status issues
according to international resolutions, along with a cessation of the
occupation and an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.
“The youth leaders demonstrated what can be achieved when
those with opposing perspectives on a situation unite behind a future that can
fulfil the core needs and aspirations of all those involved through non-violent
means,” Sharon concluded.
Malaka Samara, of OVP, emphasizes to students at the Kings
College School in Taunton the importance of understanding Palestinians'
interests when seeking a solution.
Take a look at this short video of Leeba, Malaka, and O&E Director Sharon Alsoodani at Temple Methodist Church in Taunton.
