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Israeli - Palestinian Dialogue
The Vacation from War campaign
Steps toward the concrete utopia of a peaceful world
Here all of us softened
and started to understand there are two sides to every story ,
and no side is evil or all bad. Smiles started to appear in our
faces, then hugs and then sharing happy personal moments for our
life. That is amazing –for me anyway.
S. (23
years, female, Israeli, August 2004)
Meeting the people from the other side, -the „enemy’s“ side -,
was important to me because for the first time I heard their
stories and their points of view. I understood that to the same
events can be opposite meanings. The war is going on because
each one on both sides is sure that he’s right. I now know that
both of us are right. The importance is what an Israeli poet
wrote:“ In the place of people, who always are right, flowers
can’t blossom.“ This means that life just happens if there are
compromises. Compromises in sense of taking over the other ones
perspective for understanding his point of view.
I hope
that in our beautiful region Israel and Palestinian a lot of
flowers will blossom and that death and blood will become a
painful memory of the price we had to pay because we thought
that we are right.
E. (28
years, male, Israeli, August 2004)
Near the end of the seminar now the question, whether such a
dialogue-project is important? It’s a good question but the
answer is even better: In the last two weeks I saw for the first
time the faces behind the image of the enemy. I really listened
to the Palestinian people and really tried to understand their
feelings. This dialogue opened my mind to strange opinions and
gave me the hope that the only solution can come by dialogues of
the peoples. How can we arrange that each-one on both sides can
have kinds of this great experience?
Y. (24
years, male, Israeli, August 2004)
I came to this seminar with a lot of fear. I thought that I meet
here murders, people that only understand violence, people you
can’t talk with. But still, since I believe in peace, I came. In
spite of the fact that a few of my best friends died in this
conflict by an suicide-bomber -and may be because of that- I
believe that there is no other way: We must talk with each
other!
Now I know
that these people, the Palestinian people, are really similar to
us. They also want the same simple things in life –peace, love
and happiness. The problem is that we both want the same land.
Now after the seminar I believe: It is possible to live
together.
H. (27
years, female, Israeli, August 2004)
For me this seminar was a shocking experience in a way. I was
exposed to the suffering of the Palestinians and I could feel
their pain. I also asked myself many questions concerning my
nations history: The way I was taught in school and the fact
that the seminar took place in Germany made me think a lot about
the suffering of my people 60 years ago. I talked and told about
it and was asked questions from the other participants.
On the
emotional level it was very stressful, I cried a lot about
myself and for the people I met.
Now the
seminar is ending. I feel sad when I think, where the people I
met live and how they suffer. I’m also shocked by the fact that
some of the friends I met live ½ hour from me and it is still
almost impossible for me to meet them. The seminar gave me a lot
of hope, I’m going back to Israel as a different person in a way
– with new people in my heart. I hope I can stay in contact with
some of the friends I made.
I feel
that young people have a lot of energy and power, and I hope we
can do something for peace in the region. I know that it will be
difficult, but I have the hope that some day things will change.
I heard things that were very hard for me to hear. But we
talked, cried, slept and hugged together. I’m very grateful for
this experience that I had.
S. (23
years, female, Israeli, August 2004)
This program allows us to express our ideas and to show them to
the other side. This program is sucessful, you should also
connect people from other countries from the different sides,
that are in fights to get them to know each other and try to
find a solution in situations, what the ministers couldn’t
solve. Here in the Academy it is so quiet, so clean, so nice. I
learned many things about the situation from the other side, we
realized each other. We tried to solve the conflicts and we hope
that also the ministers solve these issues, not just us guys.
Before I came here I really was afraid that the connection
between Arabs and Jews will be bad, and that because of this
anger we won’t be able to listen. My purpose when I came here
was to meet the Israeli Arabs and the Palestinians in order to
get to know them and hear what they have to say.
I’m an
Israeli Jew and it was important to me to explain them, what I
think and feel.
At the
beginning it was very hard for me, I felt like they can’t really
understand my thoughts. But after a while I started to become a
very good friend with most of the Arabs. The meetings were very
interesting, I always felt like I can say everything that I
feel,
The
travelling to Bonn, Köln and Phantasialand were wonderful!
I’m
leaving with great memories and with a lot of new friends:
Israeli Arabs, Palestinians and Jews.
Thank you
for letting me be a part of this big and important project.
N. (16
years, female, August 2004)
Thanks to you people, that I have had this unique opportunity to
meet the other side of the Israeli-Palestinian-Conflict. This
project of „Vacations from War“ is a wonderful,original and very
productive idea for people of both sides of any conflict, who
wish to see things out of a whole different perspective, in a
whole different environment.
I know
that a lot of people in my group have had fears of being in
Germany as a country that once was responsible for doing
terrible things to the Jews. I didn’t share that fears but I was
really glad and excited to find out that almost all the people
in my group have lost their fears and that is thanks to
confronting with really nice German people. For me it would be
great to see more of that German culture and life here. Anyway
it helped us (the Jewish group) to deal with our fears and
especially in the meetings with the Palestinians. I thank you
all with my heart.
N. (24
years, female, Israeli, August 2004)
This was the first time for me to meet Palestinians – this
project made it possible. The encounter was meaningful to me,
both in the personal aspect and in the cultural-political
aspect.
I feel
that the stay here brought the conflict closer to my heart than
it was and I’ll take it home with me with the expectation to act
more, to bring this understanding to my life and environment. I
feel privileged to have met new friends.
Though
these two weeks were very intensive and hard, I leave with a
need for more...Thank you!
It was really exciting,
refreshing and fulfilling –and of course hard, touching,
frustrating, confusing. This experience has given me the chance
to see things from a whole different perspective in a whole
different environment. I learned to listen, really listen to the
other side of this conflict – the Palestinians whose voice we
usually can’t hear or accept, as a society that needs to take
the responsibility –Israel.
Besides
that we had pure fun together. The time I spent here gives me
and my Palestinian brothers the ability to dream.
NN
(Israeli, August 2004)
These two weeks were a
great experience for me. At first this meeting gave me the
opportunity to meet Palestinians from Israel and Palestinian
from the West Bank. Second, it enabled me to visit Germany. This
wasn’t a simple experience for me as I’m Jewish and the past of
the Jews in Germany is something that I still have problems to
cope with. I found out a lot about myself. I found out what it
means to be a minority. I found out what a racist society we are
living in.
It was
also very important for me to meet the Palestinians that are
living inside Israel. It seems that they don’t get a lot of
media coverage and don’t receive a lot of attention. Therefore
most of the times „we forget about them“. The idea of meeting
them was very important. We found out a lot about the conditions
they must live in.
Thank you:
Keep up this good and important work.
(NN,
Israeli, August 2004)
I really enjoyed my stay
here, the rooms and the food, but we should have more free time.
I learned and understood a lot in this opportunity to meet
Palestinians and spend a good time with them.
For me this seminar is
very important. I now feel that I could do many things. At first
that other Palestinians can use my experience. I can help my
friends to change their mind about the Israeli people, who
really want peace. But the important thing is, I don’t forget
the Palestinian issue. I hope that I can do more for my people
after this seminar.
L. (22
years, female, Palestinian, August 2004)
In the name of Allah: First I want to thank you for these
activities, which broke the scaring fence between us. I had a
lot of new informations and I had some good ideas about
political affairs. On this journey to Germany I found some
friends and I lived like an Israeli-Palestinian guy. So I had a
very funny time because I came to know how Israeli guys are
alike. At the same time I don’t hate Israelian guys but because
of the occupation I have to hate anyone, who says: „I’m an
Israeli guy.“ So you gave us the meaning of the life on both
sides. We’ll save this in our mind. I wish that you have the
health and support of others to continue this project.
B. (17 y.
male, Palestinian, August 2004)
At first I was afraid of this meeting because of
our relationship with Israelian people. But the more we talked
we found them very kind and interested people. I know about the
cruelties of some people but all who came to the meeting were
nice to us. I’m living in Ramallah and nothing serious happened
to me yet. I mean that I didn’t suffer like those who are from
Nablus, Jenin or Gaza. When I came here and listened to my
friends from Nablus I felt so sorry for the terrible things that
happen to those poor people. Although I also come from the
Westbank I got a lot of informations what’s happening to our
people. This project encourages us to let the other side
(Israelis) know what is inside us and this makes us feeling
comfortable. Another time and lots of times: Thank you!
This was a hard time for me. I realized that there is so much
yet to be learnt. I thought I had an idea about the
Israelian-Palestinian Conflict. I had studied about it and read
many books, but now I feel so ignorant. The real life-stories
that were told have touched me deeply. I stayed up many nights
thinking and analyzing in order to understand: Why can human
beeings become so brutal?
Here I got
an idea about a good life for all, how we can live together
happily. But this dream is shattered going back home. May be we
feel the separation even more now. We get involved in our
surroundings and we can’t break through the bubble... The good
thing that has happened to me is seeing the face of the enemy,
not their army or their government. They are not that different!
I believe that if each of us strips himself from all the
obstacles and drawbacks that pulls us back from moving forward
and simply connect with inner feelings and emotions, life would
look so much brighter and we would be able to achieve peace
together, -once we have found inner peace.
N. (24 y.
female, Palestinian, August 2004)
When I came to this place I was frightened because I would deal
with Israelian people. But my fears disappeared because I find
them people like us having their feelings and their emotions and
also they have their suffering too. I’m glad to visit your
country and I wish we’ll have a nice country like you.
O. (22 y.
male, Palestinian, August 2004)
Really when I heard about this project, I was so afraid because
it was the first time to have contact with the other side, that
occupies our land. I really can’t describe my complex feelings
and fears. During this experiment I discovered how interested
the other side (Israelis) wanted to listen to our suffering and
how they want to defend our rights in their country. They now
look to me like human beings. They listen, see and feel with the
others. I know that when they’ll come back home they’ll have a
hard time to tell the others how much we are suffering from
them, that we are human-beings like them and that we also have a
right to live in peace.
I. (26
years, female, Palestinian, August 2004)
I came with a plan to fight. I’m going back with a plan to love.
G. (24
years, female, Palestinian, August 2004)
In the name of Allah: I hope you’ll continue your work for
peace...First when I arrived to this place I felt strange
because this is the first time that I’m without my family and
also to travel to an European country. It took three days before
I started to adjust the conditions. I more and more felt that
all the students were like my family. The program of the work
was very exciting and the meetings were useful and difficult for
us. Now I finish with sad feelings because we’ll not see again
or perhaps next summer- I really hope so.
M. (17 y.
female, Palestinian, August 2004)
Thank you so much for allowing me to enter a new stage in my
life... I was going through an inner struggle with my
identity...I heard of this program“Vacations from War“ and
decided to give it a try. I’m so happy that I did because it
opened my eyes and brought up many issues that were bothering
me. On the one hand I saw my people, that the occupation is
affecting every single moment of their lives, even to think
freely. I felt that we are forced to feel inferior caused by the
unbalanced struggle that’s going on between Palestinians and
Israelis. . On the other hand I was able to see my enemy as a
person and talk about desires and fears. I was able to break
this image of a hostile government, that wants to get rid of us
and soldiers, that want to kill us. I discovered a whole society
behind that frontier, people who also want to live in peace and
want to stop the injustice that is happening between both
sides.I thank you for allowing me to think more objectively
about our situation.
N. (26 y.
female, Palestinian, August 2004)
An unique experience! Even I feel lucky to be as a participant
here „one of the minority“ because you can’t give „vacations“
for a whole nation! Then the situation would be so much
different!
Concerning
this seminar sometimes I feel an inner confusion inside me. I
mean, it’s just sooo different: The situation here is something
and the reality there is something else!
It is so
hard to live in a dream or to dream while living. It was still
harder for me to come, but I had this idea about the others,
which was proved another time: The others have no idea about our
daily life – so away from it. They got it only from their press
and media, do a „spam-feeding“ for them of what they want them
to know.
The
metaphoric name „Vacations from war“ really touched me. But I
think we need to stop the war, not take vacations only and then
we go back to it. But vacations usually give a new spirit and
power. I’m not giving up but why it has become so hard to go on?
I’m really thinking how it is going to be, when I’ll be back,
especially that it always moves in one direction, which is to
the worst!
So at the
end , finding the truth by yourself for yourself is what makes
it worthy of being here.
The meeting was important
for getting to know each other and the exchange of opinions. The
wish to live in peace with each other was expressed. Yes to
peace, and a life like all other people have!
NN
(Palestinian, August 2004)
It is my first experience
to sit and talk with an Israeli people. When I came here I had
very bad feelings and expected them to grow. There was a
struggle inside me. Now I feel a little bit more comfortable
because I got a new thinking. In spite this was a very hard
experience, it gave us Palestinians the opportunity to let the
other side know the way we have to live and about our hurt
feelings. This may help to get these ideas also to other people
on their side in order to do something against the violence. But
also I understood something about their feelings too. At the end
I think, it is good to share these feelings, so it may bring
peace one day.
NN
(Palestinian, August 2004)
In my opinion these
discussions were useful and benefits to everybody – even we
faced many problems, difficulties and conflicts. But on the
other hand it is so important to share our thoughts, feelings
and opinions. This will help us to plan our future currently.
I came to
this seminar with a message to the other side, but also to come
to know many things about them. Really it was a hard experience
for me but very useful at the same time as for each participant.
NN
(Palestinian, August 2004)
When
I came to Germany, I feared that this meeting would be a fiasco.
But with God's help and that of the supervisors the program
became a success. Although at first I had the feeling that this
was a waste of time, I changed my opinion during the two weeks
we were together with the Israelis. On the contrary, this wasn't
a waste of time; it was used well to inform the Israelis about
what their army does. I wish the
whole program further success in the service of Humanity. This
meeting was a present for us.
What
took place during this meeting can't be described with simple
words, what our hearts feel about this good deed is hard to
express. You invited us here to
lead an Israeli-Palestinian peace dialog, which is already a
miracle in itself. You deserve respect and gratitude for this.
This dialog draws a positive response from us, bringing us the
sincere desire to living together peacefully. At this meeting we
could tell the world that we are striving for peace and that the
Palestinian people, who have suffered through a great deal and
still suffer from the occupation, still stretch forth their hand
with the olive branch and the white dove of peace.
S. (18
years, male, Palestinian, August 2004)
I
had difficulties in making friends with the others because
everything was strange in every respect for me. But later I
slowly got the feeling under the management of the supervisors
that I am in a family. But
unfortunately, quite frankly, I had some difficulty making
friends with the others, especially the Jewish and Arab
Israelis, because they aren't from my surroundings, and have
other traditions and habits. Nevertheless we have become like
brothers and sisters and friends and will not forget each other.
I am sad that we have to part.
NN
(Palestinian, August 2004)
The
idea that I would meet a group of Jewish and Arab Israelis and
live with together for a while made me afraid at first. Today I
thank everybody who supports this idea and contributed to its
fulfillment because it was far more beautiful than I had
expected. I also would like to thank the other participants of
my group because they understood our situation and showed
sympathy for us, so that I await with optimism living peacefully
together in the future. It is a pity that the number of the
Israelis wasn't larger so that we would have convinced them all
that it isn't the Palestinian people but the Israeli army who
are terrorists, and that we want peace to get them out of the
armed forces.
Before I came here I knew that we’ll have conversation with
people from Nablus and Jewish people. It was so exciting and I
felt very sad when I heard the stories of the Palestinians from
Nablus. I will never forget these two weeks, I think it’s the
beginning of peace between the two sides. We had a lot of fun.
All the trips were so nice and funny. It was an exciting
experience that I’ll never forget.
A. (17 y.
male, Pal.-Israeli, self-definition: Arab – 48, August 2004)
This was a great experience although it was hard and very
emotional. I got the opportunity to listen to people and to meet
new friends. But most important: This experience proved to me
that peace is possible and we can live together. Thank you
....especially that the Palestinians from Nablus had a „vacation
from war“ and the chance to live a normal life for two weeks...
G. ( 21 y.
male, Pal-Isr. August 2004)
In this moment I have
tears in my eyes and in the last few days I cried a lot. It
started from my feeling and recognition that my group as
Palestinians, isn’t just experiencing harm and hard occupation,
but also their mind and soul is occupied. I tried to talk, to
shout, to cry, to listen and to invite them to wake up, to
express their own personality and to dream.
It was
hard: they couldn’t. They are afraid to dream or to believe
themselves. The pressure of the occupation and the history of
this area harmed the people and broke them. It took their and my
power and our will to be spontanious, even the hope to achieve
and unpolitical dreams.
My dream
now is to bring the dreams back to the people, Palestinians. The
ability of dreaming, freely, is the way for freedom. The
situation is too hard and complex. The solution for me is
unclear and clouded. But nothing is impossible! That’s what I
believe. –without it I just can’t live. Really! I want to dream
unpolitical dreams. A real, real peace could make this possible
–and nothing else.
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