“The Choice to Reconcile”

About This Program

In this program, two bereaved fathers—one Israeli, one Palestinian—recount parallel stories of grief and the unique choice towards reconciliation. Join peace activists Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan as they describe their journeys from loss to an outspoken advocacy of a shared human spirit.

Held in partnership with the American Friends of the Parents Circle-Families Forum (AF-PCFF), this panel will explore the ways that violence changes us, and what we can do with the space grief has left.

As the cycle of violence in Israel-Palestine continues, join us as we strive to transcend the narrative of the “other,” celebrating the shared humanity that exists in both struggle and solidarity.

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About the Speakers

Bassam Aramin lives in Jericho in the West Bank. At the age of 17, he was incarcerated and spent 7 years in an Israeli jail. He went on to study history and holds an MA in Holocaust studies from the University of Bradford, England. He became a member of the Parents Circle in 2007 after losing his 10-year-old daughter Abir, who was killed by an Israeli border policeman in front of her school. Bassam devotes his time and energies to his conviction for a peaceful, nonviolent end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation. Bassam is the former Palestinian Co-director of the Parents Circle – Families Forum and is the current international spokesperson.

Rami Elhanan is a 7th generation Jerusalemite. He identifies himself as a Jew, an Israeli, and before everything else a human being. On the first day of the school year in 1997, Rami’s daughter, Smadar, was killed by two Palestinian suicide bombers who murdered 5 people that day. Soon after, Rami joined the Parents Circle, and speaks before Israeli, Palestinian and International audiences. Rami is the former Israeli Co-director of the Parents Circle – Families Forum. as they share their stories of loss and their unique choice of reconciliation.

About The AF-PCFF

The American Friends of the Parents Circle-Families Forum (AF-PCFF) shares the human side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the American public in order to foster a peace and reconciliation process. The AF-PCFF is committed to supporting the Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF) through raising public awareness, constituency building and fundraising in the U.S.

The PCFF itself is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 700 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. However, instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.

For nearly 30 years, the Parents Circle-Families Forum has answered the call to prevent bereavement with dialogue, tolerance, and a reconciliation towards peace.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual (Zoom)

This Zoom event is free, but requires registration in advance. Click the button below to save your spot and receive the webinar link!

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