The Olive Tree Movement

Grieve together & reject the massive killing of civilians

The current warfare in the Gaza area features terrible, rampant violence: thus far, more than 870 Palestinian deaths and more than 10 Israeli deaths, with thousands of wounded – most of them civilians and children. The overwhelming force used by the Israeli army against a civilian population and the scope of the killing are intolerable.

This demands protest by Jews and Palestinians: We must protest the slaughter in Gaza and southern Israel, the choice to opt for brute force and violence instead of negotiations, the disdain for the sacredness of human life, the loss of faith in dialogue rather than violence to resolve conflict. Beyond protest, we need to mourn what has died on our side and within each of us; we need a way to open ourselves willingly to the pain and grief of the other side, and for both sides to express their shared sadness at the hopes and dreams that this terrible war has destroyed.

NOTE THAT THIS SHARING DOES NOT ASSUME any sort of "symmetry" in the suffering of the two parties to this conflict at this time and place. Yet, the suffering of all is deserving of acknowledgment – and it is this acknowledgment that provides a foundation for redress and repair.

We will gather at the JEWISH-ARAB CENTER in Jaffa, 109 Rehov Kedem

On Saturday, Jan. 17th, 2009 from 12:00 – 16:00

The program will include a ceremony of grieving, with the participation of

Shulamit Aloni, former Minister of Education, Prof. Ramzi Suleiman, Prof. Ariela Friedman, Dr. Ahmad Abu Tuahina (Director of GCMHP, the Community Mental Health Center of Gaza – by telephone), Khaled Abu Awad and Nir Oron from the Forum of Bereaved Families.

Workshops led by experienced facilitators, Palestinian and Jewish, will address:
• Taking a moral stand during a time of conflict;
• The sacredness of human life as a shared value;
• Lying and denial during wartime;
• Plans to continue the protests and stop the war;
• Media and propaganda in wartime;
• Etc.
Organizing partners: Wahat al Salam / Neve Shalom; PsychoActiv—Mental Health Professionals for Human Rights; OSIM SHALOM—Social Workers for Peace; Bereaved Families Forum.

You are encouraged to pre-register by email (helpful, but not compulsory) to:
protestandmourn@gmail.com
For more information: Sarit Moda'i 050 628 4204; Mahaa Sakallah 057 546 1240