Holding Onto Humanity: Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians for Peace

The ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been marked by horrendous violence, which has only intensified since October 7. Amid this turmoil is The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of 750 families which has been striving for reconciliation since 1998. Through shared experiences of loss, PCFF is finding hope and a path forward beyond binary ways of thinking, and, through reconciliation, achieve a sustainable peace.

Join us to hear from a group of individuals profoundly affected by the conflict as they share their stories of loss and their unwavering belief in our shared humanity. Speakers include:

• Robi Damelin, Israeli mother and PCFF Director of International Relations, whose son was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002.
• Layla Alsheikh, Palestinian mother whose 6-month-old son died when she was prevented from reaching a hospital by Israeli soldiers.
• Yonatan Zeigen, an Israeli son whose mother, peace activist Vivian Silver, was killed on October 7.
• Arab Aramin, a Palestinian brother whose sister was killed at the age of 10.

Moderated by world-renowned journalist, editor and author, Tina Brown, this panel discussion will delve into the power of shared pain and the enduring hope for peace. They will also discuss the PCFF initiative Listening from the Heart, an educational program developed in partnership with Georgetown University for communities suffering from the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. Join us in this essential conversation about why we must continue to strive for reconciliation.