Illustration by Dilok Klaisataporn
I feel moved to write about the situation in the Middle East.
My intention is to bring some light to what provides hope in the midst of what may look and feel hopeless.
To that end, here are just some of the inspirational and courageous organisations striving to create sustainable peace, in one of the most challenging situations on the planet:
The Parents Circle - Families Forum (PCFF)
The PCFF is a joint Israeli-Palestinian initiative of over 600 families, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict.
The PCFF promotes peace and reconciliation and has earned great respect and special accolades over the years around the world. Moreover, the PCFF has concluded that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace.
The organisation uses all resources available in education, public meetings and the media, to spread these ideas.
The Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP)
ALLMEP is the largest and fastest growing network of Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders.
As the collective voice of their member organisations, it channels their ambitions towards increased cooperation and political impact, making them more than the sum of their parts.
It comprises a coalition of over 170 organisations—and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities.
It adds stability in times of crisis, fosters cooperation that increases impact, and builds an environment conducive to peace over the long term.
Women Wage Peace (WWP)
Founded in the aftermath of the 50-day Gaza War/Operation Protective Edge of 2014, Women Wage Peace (WWP) has grown to 45,000 Israeli members, the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel today.
WWP’s theory of change refracts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its resolution, through a gendered lens.
In the words of former US Ambassador Swanee Hunt, “Women tend to have a more holistic view of security, which embraces not just political sovereignty and military strength, but also economic security, education, and personal safety.”
The movement is non-partisan and does not support any one specific solution to the conflict.
Instead, it empowers women from diverse communities to build trust across divides, leading in turn to a unified demand for diplomatic negotiation, with full representation.
Released Gaza Hostage Saying ‘Shalom’ (Peace) to Her Captor
A picture is worth a thousand words. If this doesn’t remind us what love truly means, I don’t know what will.
These are just a few inspirational and courageous examples — there are many more.
Check out this article on the Positive News website (yes really) for more.
How about supporting one of them?
In the words of Jimi Hendrix:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
Here’s hoping…
And here’s to love.