By Scott Dickman, Compassionate Listening Facilitator, Originally written for Peace Action
In a world saturated with news of conflict and division, we easily become entrenched in
the belief that certain disputes are intractable, that certain people are destined to live in
perpetual conflict. The Israeli-Palestinian situation is often portrayed in such terms, as
hopelessly entangled in irreconcilable differences. Yet, amid the headlines of violence
and the seemingly insurmountable political quarrels, collaborative efforts towards peace
emerge that challenge the narrative of perpetual discord. These endeavors, though less
publicized, reinforce the potential for coexistence and shared humanity.
One compelling example is that of Combatants for Peace, founded by former Israeli and
Palestinian fighters who lost confidence in the politicians – on each side - tasked with
resolving this conflict. These individuals, who once viewed and fought each other as
enemies, now work together to promote peace and reconciliation. Their collaboration is
a testament to the transformative power of dialogue. Through joint activities and public
demonstrations, Combatants for Peace bring individuals together from both sides,
fostering connections that transcend the entrenched hostilities of the past and work
towards a shared future.
The Parents Circle-Families Forum offers an extraordinarily poignant example of
collaboration. This organization comprises over 600 Israeli and Palestinian families who
lost loved ones to the conflict. Instead of succumbing to hatred and revenge, these
families have chosen reconciliation. Through dialogue, educational programming, and
media campaigns, they share stories of loss and their hope for peace. The Parents
Circle highlights the impact of personal stories by nurturing empathy. Their message?
The cycle of violence can be broken, and a future built on mutual respect and
understanding is possible.
Similarly, Standing Together is another wellspring of hope. This grassroots movement
unites Jews and Arabs in Israel to fight for equality, social justice, and peace. They
organize workshops and campaigns addressing issues from economic inequality to the
occupation. Working side by side, members of Standing Together demonstrate that
cooperation is not only possible but essential for creating a just and peaceful society –
that unity in diversity provides a compelling alternative to the narrative of division.
Education also plays a crucial role in bridging divides and fostering coexistence. Several
schools in Israel conduct all their activities in both Arabic and Hebrew, creating an
environment where Jewish and Arab children learn and grow together. Institutions like
the Hand in Hand network of bilingual schools embody this vision, where children
receive an excellent education and learn each other's cultures, languages, and
narratives. They celebrate each other's holidays, engage in joint projects, and form
bonds that challenge stereotypes and prejudices that fuel the conflict. These schools
are microcosms of what two peaceful multicultural communities could look like, proving
that mutual respect can be nurtured from a young age.
These examples of collaboration are not isolated cases but part of a broader, though
less visible, movement towards peace and coexistence – currently, or whether two
states or one state in the future. They demonstrate that Israelis and Palestinians can
and do work together, driven by a shared desire for a better future. Their example
challenges the dominant narrative of hopelessness and underscores the potential for
positive change.
The press often overlooks these efforts, focusing instead on the political impasse and
the outbreaks of violence. However, the work of all these organizations reveal a different
reality. They illustrate how, at the grassroots level, many Israelis and Palestinians are
committed to peace and stepping outside the normative view that each side can only be
the enemy of the other. By amplifying these stories, The Compassionate Listening
Project prefers to challenge the prevailing discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
by highlighting the resilience, courage, and humanity of those who strive for a better
future.
Note too, the benefits NGOs engaged in peacebuilding bring to top-down political
efforts. For instance, when individuals from opposing groups interact directly, the
opportunity to dissolve stereotypes, build trust and establish a foundation for empathy
emerges. And, by empowering individuals to take an active role in peacebuilding, NGOs
create an inclusive and enduring path to peace. Comparatively, top-down political
approaches often face significant limitations. Politicians are constrained by political
rivalries and need to maintain power, leading to compromises that fail to address the
root causes of conflict. Further, peace agreements negotiated at the political level can
be fragile if they lack the support of the broader population. Therefore, while top-down
efforts remain important for creating frameworks and policies for peace, it is the
everyday interactions of ordinary people that breathes life into peace agreements and
ensure their sustainability.
In closing, recognition of these and the other NGOs dedicated to grassroots
peacebuilding maximizes the potential to shift the conversation from one of despair to
one of possibility. They remind us that peace is built through countless acts of individual
courage, empathy, and collaboration, and that, even in the most divided circumstances,
there is always room for hope. Go to The Compassionate Listening Project website -
https://www.compassionatelistening.org - for links to these and other NGOs dedicated to
peacebuilding.
Scott Dickman is a longtime peace advocate who resided in Israel during the '70s. He later joined the CL Israel & Palestine Journey in 2016. He engaged with the New Hampshire Board of Building a Culture of Peace and now serves on the NH Peace Action Board, along with NH Friends of Combatants for Peace and J Street. These organizations focus on reconciliation and bridging differences. He is currently facilitating Israel-Palestine discussions at a local synagogue. Scott is semi-retired, and relishes family time with his new grandson, while pursuing his outdoor passion through conservation easements with conservancies.
Commentaires