Violence in the Middle East has increased dramatically over the past year with the attacks on October 7, 2023 and the ongoing war in Gaza, Lebanon and Israel. The civilian population in particular is suffering. The work of our partner organizations was also extremely difficult last year. As part of a series of online events from the end of October to the beginning of December 2024, we discussed with four of our partner organizations from Palestine and Israel what peace work can look like in times like these. We also spoke with activists from Lebanon who shared their personal and professional experiences of how the war in Lebanon is affecting people's lives.
“Standing Together” - the largest grassroots movement in Israel
Amal Ghawi and Itamar Avneri, members of the movement „Standing Together“.
Under the title “Standing Together for Justice and Peace”, Amal Ghawi and Itamar Avneri, members of the “Standing Together” movement, reported on their experiences, successes and challenges as members of a civil society movement. Standing Together is a progressive grassroots movement that mobilizes Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel against the occupation and for peace, equality, social and climate justice. With more than 5,000 members, it is the largest movement of its kind in Israel. The moving stories of the two activists not only provided a deeper understanding of the current situation, but above all gave hope and showed what can be achieved with initiatives like these. For example, they have organized a joint Jewish-Palestinian humanitarian guard to protect aid convoys to Gaza.
“Dooz” - independent journalism in the West Bank
Jalaa Abuarab, Editor-in-Chief of „Dooz“.
The next event with Jalaa Abuarab, editor-in-chief of the media platform “Dooz”, focused on the power of independent media in the West Bank. The news platform, based in Nablus, has set itself the task of promoting local journalism and civic engagement. The platform focuses on community issues, peace journalism and conflict-sensitive reporting. In the interview, Jalaa Abuarab highlighted the obstacles that she and her colleagues have to contend with in the West Bank, such as closed or constantly reappearing checkpoints, which make it difficult for employees to reach their work. However, she also emphasized the importance of unbiased reporting in times of political upheaval. The media platform has already uncovered human rights violations and regularly amplifies local voices.
“Teachers' Lounge” - teachers in Palestine and Israel
Prof. Michal Muszkat Barkan (founder and academic director of the Teachers' Lounge program), Einav Nissan and Fadi Awad Allah (participating teachers).
The event with participants of the “Teachers' Lounge” program addressed the challenges for teachers in Palestine and Israel. In a discussion with Prof. Michal Muszkat Barkan, founder of the “Teachers' Lounge” program, and two participating teachers, perspectives and approaches were discussed on how teachers can deal with the conflict and traumatic events in the school context. The program offers educational professionals space for reflection and exchange, provides support in dealing with sensitive issues in order to promote the development of empathy and understanding. By 2024, more than 500 teachers from hundreds of schools have taken part in the various Teachers' Lounge programs.
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“Feelbeit” - a special cultural venue in Jerusalem
Emmanuel Witzthum and Zuhdi Najeeb from the Israeli-Palestinian culture house „Feelbeit“.
The event “The Role of Art and Culture in Times of War” addressed the question of how art and culture can promote hope and healing in times of crisis. Emmanuel Witzthum and Zuhdi Najeeb, representatives of the Israeli-Palestinian cultural center Feelbeit, described the challenges and changes the project has experienced since October 7, 2023. Despite initial doubts about the relevance of cultural work in these difficult times, the house has developed into an important place of exchange and healing. The panel discussion impressively demonstrated how art can unfold a transformative power by bringing people together across conflict boundaries and creating spaces for dialog. At the same time, the challenges posed by increasing tensions and socio-political changes were discussed. The event made it clear how important sensitivity and authenticity are in the work of cultural institutions, especially in times of violence and insecurity.
Beyond the headlines - the situation in Lebanon
Iyad Mouawad and Mazen Abou Hamdan, civil society activists from Lebanon.
The event “War in Lebanon: Beyond the headlines” featured a discussion with Lebanese activists Iyad Mouawad and Mazen Abou Hamdan. The speakers shared insights into the work of Lebanese civil society under conditions of ongoing crisis and violence. They discussed how personal experiences and societal challenges influence their work for peace and social change. The discussion addressed the consequences of the conflict and the role of the international community, while the speakers emphasized hope and concrete approaches to tackle the difficult situation in Lebanon.
Lebanon: Activism for peace and social change
Farah Wardani and Tony Elmir, activists for social change in Lebanon.
The event “Lebanon: How are activists for peace and social change doing in times of war?” on December 3, 2024 concluded the series. In this online conversation, Farah Wardani and Tony Elmir, two committed activists from Lebanese civil society, shared their perspectives. They shed light on the challenges activists in Lebanon are facing in the face of the profound political, social and economic crisis. The focus was particularly on the impact of the ongoing war on society and the creative approaches being developed by activists to promote social change and create peaceful alternatives. The discussion provided insights into the work for peace and the promotion of social cohesion under the most difficult conditions.
The response to the online event series was great: around 600 people took part in the six events and 1,425 euros in donations were collected. These funds flow directly into the work of the partner organizations and forumZFD's peace projects in the region. With the aim of creating “hope in times of war”, the series was able to initiate important discussions and further strengthen support for peace work.