Planting peace, one tree at a time

[Tom Joad]

http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2007/04/30/news/news03.txt

Three women — one Christian, one Muslim and one Jewish — all of whom who have survived years of discord and conflict living in Israel/Palestine, recently spoke in Menomonie (Wisconson).

They shared stories of courage, strength and a vision for re-shaping their troubled country. Huda Abu Arqoub, a Muslim Palestinian, Amal Nassar, a Christian Palestinian and Tal Dor a Jewish Israeli, opened doors of understanding, offering in-sights and perspectives not often covered by the media.

Decades of conflict and violence in Israel and Palestine over the ownership of land sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews, has heightened fear, distrust and hatred between Palestinians and Israelis.

While political leaders initiate peace talks, missiles continue to be launched on Israeli and Palestinian towns, suicide bombers attack the markets, and towering cement walls twist along the boundaries of West Bank and impede access to family, jobs and medical facilities. Government regulations create obstacles to economic opportunity and education, building deep resentment that supports retaliation, more control and continued struggle.

But also at work in the region are women — mothers, wives, grandmothers, sisters — involved in grassroots activism with a vision not of winning or losing, but of resiliency, bridge building and education to transform conflict into harmony in their beloved land.
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Please go to link to read these stories.
The Jewish Israeli woman, Tal Dor, volunteers with
Zochrot.

The tour was organized by Partners for peace .

[Tom Joad]

1. I thought this was a positive story.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. It is, and thanks for posting it n/t

[LeftishBrit]

3. That is a good story

It is good to see some Israelis and Palestinians working together for peace.

[Englander]

4. Solidarity concert brings together Jewish, Palestinian neighbors

By Daphna Berman

Jewish residents of areas bordering the East Jerusalem village of Jabal Mukaber came out this week in support of their Palestinian neighbors with "a concert of hope." The event was organized with the objective of showing solidarity with the residents of the Sheikh Sa'ad neighborhood, which may be cut off from the rest of the village because of the controversial separation barrier.

Pulled together by the Arab-Jewish Center of Jabal Mukaber, which operates under the slogan "neighbors to neighbors," the concert and reception drew some 300 people, half Jewish and half Palestinian.

"The wall would separate people from their families, the center of their lives, their source of livelihood and their medical facilities," said Hillel Bardin, a resident of Talpiyot-Arnona and one of the event organizers. "We're seeking an alternative route around the village rather than through it. If security can be achieved without destroying these people's lives, it is certainly preferable."

Though the courts have previously nullified the route of the barrier that would have divided the village, the Defense Ministry has appealed this decision. The court's final verdict is expected in the coming days.

The event drew residents from Jerusalem neighborhoods such as Talpiyot, Arnona, Armon Hanatziv and Baka, including a high concentration of Anglo participants and organizers.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=855696