Ara Pacis Initiative - Consiglio per la Dignità, il Perdono, la Giustizia e la Riconciliazione

The Ara Pacis Initiative Robi Damelin - From the heart, Parents Circle - Families Forum Palestinian and Israeli Families for Reconciliation

So many experts, so much violence, so much news, self-justification,
blaming and death. Such tragic times bring out the fear mongers from
all sides convincing us all that violence is the only way, in the
belief that "we are right".

How many more people need to die before we realize the need for compromise and a new way of acting? We cannot go on with the same old
patterns leading to more and more violence which fuels up the
conflict. We the bereaved families of this world can tell you that
nothing, no need to be right, no proving of points, no piece of land,
is worth the life of our children who are screaming out from their
graves for us to stop the killing and insanity.
Yet, once again we have to ask, who will console the families of the
dead and wounded? Who will convince them that their lives were worth
losing because of decisions made by careless and unthinking leaders?
How long will it take until we understand that temporary security
measures lead to long-term hatred and perpetuate the conflict? "Let’s impose blockades, let’s attack, let’s deprive people of freedom of
movement", we say to ourselves. Why can’t we understand that freedom
of movement is a basic human right and depriving others of it will
surely not lead to security? We cannot keep putting plasters on the wound.
As the recent tragedy has shown once again, the solutions
cannot be those which force us to take measures which will only end in
more loss of blood and destroy all possibilities for reconciliation.
So let’s blame the Israelis, no, lets blame the peace-makers on the
boats, no, lets blame the leaders. But who put them there ?

Sorry, but the blame game just makes us feel better about ourselves so that
we do not have to give up our national pride, or our allegiances, or
our dogmatic attachment to ideas. But where is the contribution we can
make to changing the situation and creating a more peaceful world?
Couldn’t we all for a moment in the midst of this madness just imagine the future of our children? Once they are grown, will they too have to
be lowered onto the decks of ships in order to prove a point? Or will
their leaders have a more generous and wise spirit and understand that
violence begets violence? Will there be a spirit of compromise,
leading to a safer future for us all?

And so, what can we all do, we are just citizens of the madness. I,
for one believe that we must all take a stand and demand that the
world leaders become involved, not in taking sides and blaming one
side or the other, but in finding a way to put an end to the violence
and look for a lasting solution. Such a solution cannot be achieved
merely through paper agreements. It must include a reconciliation
process. Otherwise we will have another cease-fire and not peace.

We at the Parents Circle Families Forum have recognized from the
depths of our pain and loss that there is no revenge for the loss of a
loved one and that we, the Palestinians and Israelis in the group will
work towards an understanding of the Other’s needs which will in turn
lead to a possibility for reconciliation and -- dare we use the word -- peace.

Robi Damelin in the Name of David my beloved son who lost his life in
the conflict. Parents Circle - Families Forum
Palestinian and Israeli Families for Reconciliation.