The photo above was taken last week at our office in Beit Jala, where Palestinians and Israelis came together as one team. Joined by our friends from the U.S., we shared Arabic coffee, discussed strategy, and took moments to reflect on the significance of simply being together. Despite the brutality of war, we remain united and this photo speaks for itself – a team, a family, and a vision of an alternative future.
Right now, we are all witnessing the fragility of ‘peace’ in Israel and Palestine. Each day brings more distressing stories, deepening the divide between ordinary people who are being pitted against each other in a grotesque display of nationalism, military power, and hate.
The images of emaciated hostages leaving captivity last weekend shocked Israelis. Paraded on a stage, forced to wave, and handed certificates as if they were prize winners – these scenes were harrowing. At the same time, we must not become desensitized to busloads of Palestinians returning home, many having been held in arbitrary detention in Israel for undetermined lengths of time without trial, legal representation, or contact with loved ones. This is not about comparisons, but about recognizing the loss of humanity, the disregard for international law, and the silence that enables such injustices.
As the maniacal men in power threaten to end the ceasefire and plunge us back into violence, we choose another path – one of collective liberation. We are not only a movement of Palestinian and Israeli activists fighting for change on the ground, but also an NGO delivering impactful programs that bring Israelis and Palestinians together in the pursuit of justice and peace.
Despite the war, we are proud that our youth programs have continued. We educate young Israelis on the truth behind the occupation – the realities their mainstream education erases – and empower them to take action to end it. Palestinian youth gain the skills to exercise their rights, learn about Jewish history as part of our shared reality, and move beyond traditional narratives to humanize the other. These young people, graduates of our Freedom Schools, meet as equals – no uniforms, no weapons, no hierarchy – just peers, taking their first steps toward one another.
As part of our educational expansion, we introduced a faith-based school in Israel, challenging participants to reconcile faith with justice, and to embrace Judaism while rejecting notions of supremacy, annexation, and oppression. Every one of our programs is rooted in nonviolence, co-resistance, and human rights, offering a new vision for those who seek an alternative to the status quo. We are changing mindsets, inspiring action, and uniting Palestinians and Israelis as colleagues, friends, and allies.
We see potential in every individual – whether from Hebron, Jericho, Tel Aviv, or Haifa – because we all share the same desire: freedom, security, and liberation. Some may call us radical, and that’s fine. We know we are on the right side of history and we are brave enough to stand together, despite the criticism, threats, and intimidation we face.
To help sustain our programs in Palestine and Israel, donate here
We don’t know what this weekend will bring, but we hold onto hope. Hope that we don’t return to war, that Gaza is given the chance to heal, and that innocent people held captive are returned to their families. What we do know is that we will not stop working together, resisting oppression, and transforming despair into action, and fear into hope.
In peace & Solidarity,
Rana and Eszter
Co-Directors Combatants for Peace
