Forum
members reflect on conflict and reconciliation…
‘We can and must stop this crazy, vicious cycle of
violence, murder and retaliation’
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‘In our minds we demonise
the enemy, and discredit their humanity. This is the lie
that fuels the conflict between Israel and Palestine’
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‘If I kill someone in revenge, will that bring my baby back
to me? And if I cause someone else pain, will that ease my
own pain? Absolutely not’
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‘More than 90% on both
sides believe in peace. To build a bridge, you don’t need
millions of people. You need enough people to build a
bridge so that a million others can cross over it’
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‘Our blood is
the same red colour, our suffering is identical, and all of
us weep exactly the same bitter tears’
UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN FAMILIES SUPPORTING PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND TOLERANCE
Revenge? What for?
‘I was shocked that my mother agreed to invite Frankenthal and his family to our home…
‘I don’t want to give the impression that that first meeting was all peace and light. We still have our differences. But after 30 minutes everyone was crying. It was the first time I had seen Israelis cry, the first time that I had encountered Israelis other than in uniform ordering me about.
‘We realised then that the other side can feel your pain and can even help work for your future.
‘Revenge? What for? It does not bring anyone back.’
Ali Abu Awwad interviewed in The Times, 24 November 2009