Bereaved Fathers Unite to End Killing.
An association that brings together Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost a loved one in the conflict. A witness of hope during this time of war. Two people, two opposite destinies, two tragedies that led to a friendship: this is the plot of a film by Shelley Hermon entitled “Within The Eye Of The Storm.” But it is more than just a movie:
BASSAM ARAMIN
Head of International Relations and Spokesperson for Parents Circle – Families Forum
“It took 5-6 years to film everything and it is the story of a Palestinian and an Israeli who lost their beloved daughters in different circumstances and who become friends, choosing the path of friendship, building more bridges instead of taking part in revenge. I am the Palestinian, and this is my story and my Israeli brother’s name is Rami Elhanan, who lost his 14 year old daughter in 1997 because of a Palestinian suicide bomber.”
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Bassam Aramin spent seven years in Israeli jails; his daughter was killed by an Israeli soldier while going to school … it is not just a story, but a reality for many who live in Israel and Palestine, in the midst of a conflict that has been dragging on for decades. Instead of the path of violence and revenge, these people have chosen nonviolence and peace. Like Dana, who lost her father in 2002 during a bombing in Haifa.
DANA WEGMAN
Head of Summer Camps Parents Circle – Families Forum
“I was abroad in Europe for several years and when I came back I tried to hope again. When I met the Parents Circle, I found people who were truly inspired, who instead of being victims, decided to be heroes, and I said that I wanted to be like them.”
The association that brings these people together is called the Parents Circle, and it was created in 1995 and it gathers relatives of victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict who are seeking a different path besides war and hatred to resolve the conflict. Like Robi Damelin, who lost a son in an attack in Tel Aviv in 2002, explains: ROBI DAMELIN
Head of Public Relations Parents Circle – Families Forum
“I realized early on that the pain of a Palestinian mother and that of an Israeli mother is the same; there are no differences. The vision that we have, that we want to be included in any future political peace agreement, is a framework for reconciliation because without this, we only have a cease-fire until the next one begins.”
And this is the strength of the Parents Circle: working through dialogue, trying to show people that there is no end to the pain and that we must begin with the younger generations in order to hope for a better future.
DANA WEGMAN
Head of Summer Camps Parents Circle – Families Forum
“I am the manager of the summer camps for young people that we have been putting on since 2003. There are 40 young people between the ages of 14 to 18, who come from Israel and Palestine, and it is nice to see how easy it is for them to come together. Look at the youth and see how it should be [for all of us].”
BASSAM ARAMIN
Head of International Relations and Spokesperson for Parents Circle – Families Forum
“When we meet, we do not do it like as friends or brothers; we meet as enemies, and we want to create an alliance, because we want peace and you also want peace. So, we make an alliance and this is our message. We have an ally; we have someone to talk to. We are friends; we are brothers; we are on the same side. In front of us, there are people who want war; here we have people who want peace.”