Sami Al JundiSeeds of Peace |
|
Obstacles and Challenges and Normalization:
“ After my eight years of working in this field, many people, including close friends, stopped talking to me. They only say hello when we meet. This is because I work in the field of non-violence or "normalization," as they call it. Our work is far from normalization because the situation is far from normal. If the situation were normal there would be no need for us to facilitate joint work because the people would do their own joint work. Because the situation isn't normal we work in order to make the situation normal. Our goal is to return the situation to normality. Our goal is to reach a situation in which people live with honor and realize their dreams. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Personal Transformation and Nonviolence:
“ As a Palestinian I used to think that the only way to achieve our national ambitions, independence and state was through war and armed struggle. Because the Israelis used violent ways to create their state and realize their dreams, I thought that the only option was violence…Many people still believe in this idea. As time goes on one begins to realize that our human identity is wider and more important than our national identity. I realized that the circle of our identity as Israelis and Palestinians is narrow, and if we confine our thinking to within this circle, we will never reach the wider circle- the global circle of humans as humans. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ Our activities are primarily based on building bridges of trust between the Israeli and Palestinian side, and between Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Druze. Our activities aim to provide each side with the opportunity to reflect upon its human and civilized side, a side that isn't seen on TV and in the media. In the media the Palestinians are presented as terrorists and the Israelis as occupiers, soldiers and settlers. The world sees what the media presents, not the human side of the Palestinians; therefore it is the duty of the Palestinian kids that are part of the Palestinian delegation to present the human side that isn't presented by the media. The world should know that Palestinian children are humans with feelings, hopes and dreams. The Israeli side also uses the opportunity to present the civilized sides of Israeli society, sides that aren't presented by the media. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Personal Transformation and Prison:
“ The time I spent in prison influenced my views. I suffered as a result of the conflict and my belief in the way of violence. This had a personal effect on me. Ten years of my life were spent in prison. Ten years is a long time. I also benefited personally from this experience. It changed my thinking by 180 degrees. During my time in prison I studied the experiences and history of different nations. As a result I realized that there are ways that suit us as Palestinians and also suite our human nature. The Palestinians are an integral part of humanity in the world. Studying different human philosophies and the history of nations strengthened my belief that the best way for the Palestinian people or any other people is the way based on respect. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ Peace means relations between people that are based on love and mutual respect. Peace means that people can travel and sleep wherever they want without fear. Peace means that a child feels secure from the moment he is born and achieves education and realizes his dreams. Peace means that everyone receives his rights as a human being and a citizen in his country, and no one strips him of these rights. Peace means everyone has opportunities in life. Peace means that people don't look upon one another with jealousy, but with brotherhood and love. Peace means a person can work and provide food for his children. Peace means all homes are open for everyone. I am describing peace as a person who isn't familiar with it. Peace hasn't reached us yet, but I hope we will reach it. The people that will enjoy peace the most are those who haven't experienced it. Those who have experienced it don't enjoy it. I hope every child who is born in the future experiences peace from the day he is born, and the elderly live long enough to experience a small part of it. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ If religion is used in a wrong way and as a means of revenge, then any religion has a negative role. It is the duty of the leaders of the three religions to focus on the humane and forgiving aspects of their religions toward the other religions. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Obstacles and Challenges and International Involvement:
“ I think the error is that [people in the US] choose a side and support one side against the other which provokes continuation of the Palestinian violence. This is the biggest error the world commits toward the Arab-Israeli conflict. I think the world should encourage the Israelis and Palestinians to hold dialogue and return to the negotiating table. I think this would be a positive contribution to the conflict. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
^ back to top
