Def: [to bereave] to take away (a valued or necessary possession) especially by force, [bereaved] : suffering the death of a loved one. The Palestine/Israel conflict has left many bereaved. I was able to attend a forum last week where two bereaved parents from Israel and two from Palestine met to share with us their stories. They were part of the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families for Peace program, and they had made a stop in Japan to discuss several of the similarities between the Japan's experience during WWII and the current situation in Israel and Palestine. Though their stories were very sad, detailing the tragic loss of close family members, their goal was enlightening and refreshing. They chose not to focus on much of the typical arguments that arise at I-P discussions, but instead simply focused on sharing their stories and making a statement of peace. The effectiveness of their program lies in this: by sharing losses together and reaching out to the people, they are undercutting the political clashes of those in power and reaching the very people who are being effected by the conflict. In their words, Hello, Salaam! Hello, Shalom! Hello, Peace!
Posted by Kristen at June 23, 2003 11:23 AM
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