OneVoice Blog, Empowering Israeli and Palestinian Citizens toward a Two State Solution

OneVoice's regional offices hope for meaningful direct negotiations while instilling optimism in their communities

New York, September 1, 2010−As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas head to Washington to resume direct negotiations, OneVoice is encouraging people on both sides to remain optimistic.

After failure upon failure of previous direct talks, it has taken 20 months to get each side to sit down again, and the Obama administration is keeping quiet on their strategy for success. If these talks merely amount to posturing and fail, reviving them yet again could take years. Infusing the negotiations with hope requires unprecedented commitment by Netanyahu and Abbas to go beyond talk of compromises, to actually make compromises

There are strong feelings of skepticism from Israelis and solid notions of anger and resentment from Palestinians in the region. Tal Harris and Samer Makhlouf, the executive directors of OneVoice Israel (OVI) and OneVoice Palestine (OVP) both believe that it is important to instill hope in their communities and give these negotiations a chance despite a history of failed negotiations.

“There is no better alternative to ending the conflict than through a negotiated agreement. We will push for a meaningful process that yields one,” said Harris.

OVI will work hard to promote the positive aspects of these negotiations, presenting how necessary compromise is. For example, on the topic of Jerusalem where Palestinians hope to have East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, OVI will show how 35% of Jerusalem is already Palestinian. Most areas in East Jerusalem are places that Israelis don’t go anyway so compromising on this factor is worth the alternative of not compromising and letting situations on the ground worsen.

OVP Executive Director Samer Makhlouf agrees on the importance of supporting this round of negotiations, if for nothing else than to take another shot at reaching a final agreement that solves all final status issues in accordance with the international resolutions and laws.

“We don’t support these negotiations unconditionally and we are 99% sure they will fail, but let’s not be so pessimistic. We aim to turn the negative energy into positive energy,” said Makhlouf. He says that many Palestinians feel they were “blackmailed” into these negotiations and that it’s not just the extremists who are opposing them but even the moderates who support two states. The streets are filled with demonstrations but nevertheless OVP feels it’s their role to promote confidence in these negotiations because what the people want is a serious process that ends the occupation and establishes a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“Convincing the public to give these negotiations the benefit of the doubt is one of the most difficult issues we’ve faced, and we feel as though we’re swimming against the current,” said Makhlouf. “Our role though is to inspire people and give them hope and we will try and do our best.”

One topic that both Harris and Makhlouf agree will hinder the progress of these negotiations is the potential lift on the freeze of settlements. Makhlouf explains that it won’t make sense for him to tell Palestinians to support direct negotiations if settlements continue to be built, similar to what Abbas is saying about the talks.

“You can’t say two states and then build on the second state,” explains Harris.

During this time, both offices turn to the power of OneVoice’s Imagine 2018 campaign to encourage people to think about what they want the future to look like. Highlighting to the general public, as well as the politicians, the different possible realities if a peace agreement were to be reached or not emphasizes that there is no better formula to ending the conflict than to negotiate the interests of both sides

 “To the people who are sarcastic, we have to show them what they don’t get because of the occupation and instead show them that they deserve more than that,” said OVI Executive Director Tal Harris.

Q+A with Palestinian film director Muayad Alayan

New York, August 31, 2010−OneVoice Palestine (OVP) recently collaborated with Palestinian filmmaker, Muayad Alayan, receiving film training and guidance to help make Palestinian visions for OneVoice’s multiplatform Imagine 2018 campaign.

 
A scene from Alayan's film, Lesh Sabreen.

Alayan was first drawn to filmmaking after attending a film workshop as an 11^th grade student in Jerusalem. Since then he has created award-winning films and documentaries and has initiated a series of film workshops for youth in Jerusalem and the West Bank. His most recent work, Lesh Sabreen, tells the love story of two young Palestinians and the constraints of their love due to living in a socially-conservative, economically deprived, and Israeli-controlled community.

Describe how art can serve as a means to conflict resolution, according to you and your work.

I believe that every human being needs to find a medium for self expression, and especially for people living in conflict situations. Self expression is essential, both to document, change and even to survive. For me, cinema is the medium I choose. I do not think that cinema can directly serve as a means to conflict resolution, but it is definitely important in bridging divides and telling stories both to the world as well as to the “other” part in the conflict.

Are you part of a wider community of artists using art to make sense out of, process, and perhaps offer creative solutions for the conflict?

There have been several works and experiments by different artists and organizations. I think all are necessary, but I do not personally believe that it can bring direct solution for conflicts. It is however the best way to provide people with a different perspective and a different point of view or dimension to things.

What do you think about when creating art that involved or relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Who are you speaking to or reaching out to?

In my films I always try to reach to my people first, and then to the world and of course the Israelis. We as Palestinians need to tell our stories. In conflict situations, each side tries to boycott, censor and even oppress your voice or your story, especially by the occupying side. I believe it is important to insist on getting your story across by any means necessary.

Does politics have a role in art and what part does art play in politics?

Politics can sometimes oppress art or at best influence it and guide it in a certain direction for political benefits. Art challenges politics and no matter how critical it can be, it will be more peaceful. Several Palestinian filmmakers have been imprisoned, denied entry into Palestine and even deported sometimes for political reasons by the Israeli Authorities.

How does OneVoice’s message of two states for two peoples affect your opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

For a long time I believed in a one-state solution for both sides. At this point in life, the situation is very complicated in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and I believe a two-state solution is necessary, even if for a certain period of time until a one-state situation can be possible.

Tell us how you were first drawn to art and your journey of establishing yourself?

My very first experience in filmmaking was at the I am You are filmmaking workshop as an 11^th grade student in the Jerusalem cinematheque. The workshop involved twenty Palestinian and Israeli students from both sides of the city. Both sides produced films of their stories to screen and share with the other side of town.

Would you art change if there was a resolution to the conflict?

Art will continue to reflect human stories and experiences. I hope that once a resolution is achieved we will reflect on happier and more peaceful realities.

Q+A with Keren Almog, the artist behind OVI's creative "freeze party" posters

New York, August 30, 2010−OneVoice Israel’s (OVI) “freeze party” Thursday was introduced to the public with catchy political posters designed by artist Keren Almog.

 

Almog was originally drawn to art from her love for cinema. Creating visual products to inspire people and instill emotion, she believes that touching people through art can help give them the power to become more involved in matters such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her posters for OVI’s “freeze party”, an event that urged people to support an indefinite freeze on settlement construction, portrayed various Israeli government officials at a beach party.

Do you think art has a role to play in conflict resolution, and specifically in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

In my opinion, the role that art has in conflict resolution is getting people to become more involved, to attract the attention of those that stay indifferent toward the subject. In the matter of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I feel as if it’s even more important because most people have reached a point where they have given up on the idea of finding a real solution for the conflict. I feel that art touches this subject and has the power to get them more interested in becoming involved.

Describe how art can serve as a means to conflict resolution, according to your work?

As I already said, I don’t believe art has the power to solve the conflict. I believe that the real power of art is making people feel, and when people start feeling eventually they’re more likely to start caring. In my work I try to design something that will be interesting enough for those who see it to take a second look and make them feel even the slightest emotion, it it’s a small smile, anger, or even sadness. If I manage to do that than later on they’ll re-think what they saw and from that point it’s going to matter to them more than before.

What do you think about when creating art that involves or relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Who are you speaking to or reaching out to?

When I start a project that relates to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I try to think of the best way to make the subject less intimidating but at the same time keeping the subject real and serious. Most of the time, the people I’m trying to reach are the people who feel the same things I’m feeling toward the subject. This is the voice of the majority that just wants things to settle down, the majority that doesn’t feel any kind of hatred but their voice fades into the voice of the extremists. Because of that they don’t feel the need to become involved. So I do my best to design by work to draw their attention and to let them know that they should make their voice heard.

Does politics have a role in art and what part does art play in politics?

I don’t think politics has a role in art for the reason that art should be free from rules and limitations. I do think that a lot of designers and artists use their work to influence and take a stand toward certain manners in politics. I think that as long as we’re open to the idea of criticizing political matters then we’re open to the idea that political decisions aren’t always made for the right reasons.

How does OneVoice’s message of two states for two peoples affect your opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

I believe that the most realistic solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the one that OneVoice is suggesting. Two states for two peoples in my opinion is the best staring point toward the peace agreement.

Tell us how you were first drawn to art and your journey of establishing yourself? Is there a medium you’re most comfortable in expressing yourself?

If I remember correctly, my first attraction toward visual art started with my love for the movies. It’s not that I used to watch old classics or the special effect movies, but the idea that someone can create a visual product that will move you and will make you go through some kind of an experience. That amazed me and drew me toward the idea that I wanted to be able to do the same thing. My biggest attraction is toward the digital media format, but I’ve come to learn that the print format is sometimes even more powerful and more challenging.

Tell us more about your inspiration when creating the poster for our freeze party.

It’s funny to say but my inspiration for the poster came from a “Spring Break Party” flyer. For me it was very important to get people to look at the poster and try to figure out what they’re looking at. Once they realize that they’re looking at their prime minister dancing around in his bathing suit, then they’ll be more interested in reading more and finding out what the event is all about.

OVI holds event supporting the indefinite freeze of Israeli settlements

New York, August 27, 2010−OneVoice Israel (OVI) held a “Freeze Party” in Tel Aviv Thursday evening uniting people in calling for an indefinite extension on the Israeli government’s freeze of settlement construction.

Initiated by OVI Youth Leader and Chair of OneVoice’s Tel Aviv University chapter Danny Shaket        , the event was held exactly one month prior to the end of the current moratorium on settlement construction. Creatively playing on the idea of “freezing” settlements, OVI youth leaders handed out frozen chasers and popsicles encouraging Israeli citizens to continue supporting the settlement freeze and elected officials to boldly move the political process forward.

The event opened with an introduction by MK Nachman Shai (Kadima), who recently launched the Knesset Lobby for the Two-State Solution, on the current political environment in Israel. Following was a panel discussion with Yariv Oppenheimer, general director of Peace Now, Naftali Bennett, director of the Yesha Council, and Tal Harris, OVI’s executive director, on the final status issues of settlements and borders.

Shaket commented how Shai was insightful about the situation in Israel today, and that the debate quickly became heated with most of the audience’s questions directed to Bennett as the representative of the Yesha Council. Over 70 people who attended the event litening to dialogue containing all views on settlement construction was important to hear.

“We are proud to be the only organization to do an event like this in Israel at this time, especially since it is the result of a youth initiative,” said OVI Executive Director Tal Harris.

Q+A with Israeli artist Yosi Even Kama, who will help propel the message of Imagine 2018

New York, August 24, 2010−OneVoice Israel (OVI) recently joined forces with the talented Israeli artist, Yosi Even Kama, who will help propel the message of the importance in taking an active role today to ensure a positive future.

Israeli artist Yosi Even Kama will contribute art to various OVI activities involving the Imagine 2018 campaign.

Kama will be showing his art in conjunction with OneVoice at Hebrew University and will be designing pieces for various OVI activities that are involved with the Imagine 2018 campaign. As an artist, he is drawn to expressing himself in social and political issues through art and believes that as a designer he is in a position to influence people through visuals.  

Do you think Art has a role to play in conflict resolution, and specifically in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

I feel that art, in Israel at least, is dominated by a certain side of the political range: the left wing, liberal, and elitist sector, and is consumed mainly by those people. In other words, art is “convincing the convinced”. This is, to me, an unfortunate phenomenon as the Israeli public perceives art as biased and therefore it can’t break through its narrow circles and have an effect over the masses.

Visual communication, however, has much more influence and power in being able to change public opinions as well as the day to day realities whether through a political slogan or in street art.

Describe how art can serve as a means to conflict resolution, according to you and your work.

“The State of Judea” was my first work to break through and to reach wide audiences. The experience taught me that my ability to change positions is quite limited. Using intimidation and going to the extreme attracted the media and provoked some public debate, but also arouse anger and resentment within the religious right wing public (excluding very few responses of positive attention). But changing people’s positions was not the main parameter of measuring my work’s success. Shocking the left wing public, shaking them a little bit out of their indifference, was quite a major achievement to me.

Part of Kama's powerful "State of Judea" exhibit. 

What do you think about when creating art that involves the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

I’m mostly motivated by the personal urge to express my fears, and the issues which enrage me in the explosive social and political reality in which we’re living here in Israel. Regarding the “State of Judea” project, I knew beforehand that my target audience was not the national-religious public but I was hoping to reach both the political center and my natural audience, the liberal left.

Does politics have a role in art and what part does art play in politics?

Political issues have many expressions in art. An artist is driven by his or her pain and excitements, and as politics have such an effect on our lives, it’s hard to create any art without being influenced by it.

How does OneVoice’s message of two states for two peoples affect your opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

“Two states for two peoples” is an old solution as the conflict itself, and it’s the one solution I strongly support, as many other Israeli’s do, since I first developed my political conscience. The agenda is clear. The debate is on the means and path to get there, and I’m very glad that OneVoice is devoted to promote the notion of two states and is trying to find ways to make this dream come true.

"State of Judea" 

OneVoice's international staff hosts Ramadan Iftar

New York, August 20, 2010-OneVoice United States (OVUS) and OneVoice Europe (OVE) hosted a Ramadan Iftar in Nablus Wednesday night for over 80 youth leaders from Palestine.

OneVoice Founder and President Daniel Lubetzky listens to OVP youth leaders and their visions for a future Palestinian state.

Iftar is the evening meal Muslims have to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. OneVoice's Founder and President Daniel Lubetzky and Executive Directors Darya Shaikh and John Lyndon attended the Iftar and connected with OneVoice Palestine (OVP) staff and youth leaders. After the meal, a meeting was held discussing the Imagine 2018 project and the role each person has in building a future Palestinian state.

"The Palestinian state is like a puzzle that needs its pieces, the people, to make it a full picture," said OVP Executive Director Samer Makhlouf. 

Lubetzky gave a clear explanation about the project and the role that each of the OneVoice youth leaders plays in achieving a positive future in 2018. OVP Youth Leader Ahmad al-Sholi reflected how at the beginning, the picture for the project wasn't entirely clear, but now it is and everyone is more inspired to act.

"It was refreshing and energizing to hear the youth leaders discuss the Imagine 2018 project and learn more about their visions for what a Palestine could look like in the future," said OVUS Executive Director Darya Shaikh. 

OneVoice youth leaders and staff break their Ramadan fast with an Iftar dinner and meeting on Imagine 2018.

 

OVP youth leaders take to the streets in Ramallah filming Imagine 2018 visions

New York, August 19, 2010−Ramadan festivities have not prevented OneVoice Palestine’s (OVP) youth leaders from taking to the streets of Ramallah in pursuit of video visions for the Imagine 2018 campaign.

OVP youth leaders interview people in Ramallah for the Imagine 2018 campaign.

After receiving training last week from Palestinian Film Director Muayad Alayan on basic filming tips,  lighting, and sound quality, the youth leaders were ready to put their new knowledge to use. They were joined by a crew from PBS, the American nonprofit broadcasting service, who has been in the region following OneVoice Founder and President Daniel Lubetzky.

The Imagine 2018 campaign engages people in the Israeli and Palestinian communities, asking them to envision the future for the region in 2018 if a peace agreement were reached versus maintaining the status quo or worse. The youth leaders gathered mostly positive visions, but pessimistic views still lurk.

Some people shared the opinion that there is a responsibility of the Palestinian people in building the state of Palestine. Others looked toward a more positive economic situation where unemployment would decrease and people would have the opportunity to live a better life.

Doubt about the future came mainly from people who have lost some of their hope. One person reflected, “even if we had a state, would Israel leave us alone?” Connecting with people who have both positive and negative visions is an integral component of the project.

“Imagine 2018 is a campaign intended to inspire people toward a brighter future. But, when someone envisions a grim future where the status quo has snowballed into an even worse situation, it challenges them to think about what their role is and what it will take to prevent it,” said OneVoice staff member, Angela Duffy, who helps coordinate the Imagine 2018 project from the New York office.

Former OVI youth leader helps nonprofits raise money by searching the Internet

 
Former OVI youth leader, Yaniv Rivlin, demonstrates the Comtribute platform 

New York, August 18, 2010−Former OneVoice Israel (OVI) youth leader, Yaniv Rivlin, is emerging in the tech world as co-founder of Comtribute, a platform that creates custom search engines, allowing people to donate money to their favorite charities by simply conducting Internet searches.

The company intends to help nonprofit organizations raise funds via personalized search engines and toolbars with their brand. Tapping into online advertising’s $60 billion industry, each search will earn the charity approximately three cents from the online ad revenues who participate in the search engines Google, Bing, and Yahoo. OneVoice is proud of the success Rivlin has achieved and has launched its own search engine and toolbar using Comtribute.

Rivlin was one of OVI’s most active youth leaders, helping create and lead a chapter at Hebrew University in Jerusalem as well as attending two International Education Program (IEP) tours. He was inspired to join the movement and help bring an end to the conflict after serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, where in his first year and a half of service, he attended seven funerals of close friends who were killed in combat.

“OneVoice’s message of amplifying the moderate voice is very important to me. As a youth leader, I learned about the other side and had a chance to meet my counterparts, the Palestinians on the ground,” said Rivlin. He adds that working with OneVoice helped him in creating Comtribute because he learned how nonprofits work, how to approach them, and what they really need.

Comtribute is gaining interest in the U.S. and Canada. By providing an advanced “white label” platform for its clients, meaning that organizations have the access to create what they want on their toolbar and how it should look, non-profits are given the opportunity to capitalize on social media.

“Our vision is to eventually have everything you do on the computer generate money for your nonprofit, such as playing games and online shopping,” said Rivlin.

He added that with co-founders Mark Goldstein, who was the chief architect of Microsoft Technology in Israel, and Nadav Brandstater, who worked in product marketing and business development for Amdocs, Comtribute was created to provide nonprofits with brand awareness and communication tools that will engage its group of supporters. This gives people, who may not have the means to donate their own money, a golden opportunity to support the non-profit organizations and charities they feel strongly about.

OVP Youth Leader Malaka Samara promotes peace and non-violence to children in Dar Salah

New York, August 17, 2010−OneVoice Palestine (OVP) Youth Leader, Malaka Samara, shares her knowledge as an Art of Living teacher by spreading the importance of meditation, understanding of tolerance and peace to Palestinian children.

 
OVP Youth Leader Malaka Samara sits in a meditative pose. 

Speaking with over 50 children from the Dar Salah village just east of Bethlehem, Samara took the responsibility of training the kids in the Art of Living’s Non-Aggression Program (NAP). The program combines yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques with the goal of bringing peace, clarity, confidence and non-violence to the mind.

“I have learned that through meditation, which is an important source of energy that brings peace of mind, we can then translate that inner peace to outer peace, from the individual to the family, then the society to the nation as a whole,” said Samara. “When you have peace and love you can accept others and understand them.”

Children from the Dar Salah village participate in Samara's Non-Aggression Program (NAP).

Samara heard about OneVoice through friends, and after meeting the OVP staff was immediately drawn to the message and joined the movement. As a youth leader, she has received training in public speaking, advocacy, lobbying, and negotiation skills and also served on two International Education Program (IEP) tours where she traveled to the United States with OneVoice Israel (OVI) youth leader, Uri Fishelson, to jointly promote the two-state solution to American students.

“Malaka comes to OneVoice and the debate about the conflict not holding a grudge against Israelis or the Israeli government but rather from a peace seeking approach. She tries to find those contact points where Israelis and Palestinians can create dialogue and progress toward an end to the conflict,” said Fishelson. “Malaka is charming and positive.”

The children are full of smiles after a workshop promoting non-violence and peace of mind led by OVP Youth Leader Malaka Samara. 

OVP leads energetic town hall meeting for women in Qaryut

New York, August 13, 2010−OneVoice Palestine (OVP) conducted an energetic town hall meeting on August 2nd with women from the village of Qaryut just south of Nablus in the West Bank.

Women from the village of Qaryut listen to OVP youth leader Ibrahim Mubarak lead a town hall meeting on borders in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Addressing the two-state solution and focusing on the topic of 1967 borders, the citizens of this village served as an interesting audience due to their location in Nablus being surrounded by three Israeli settlements.  Many who attended the session believe their village will be destroyed and erased from the maps if settlements continue to be built in the area. OVP youth leader Ibrahim Mubarak led the meeting and encouraged the women to look toward the future and participate in OneVoice’s Imagine 2018 campaign.

The meeting brought together housekeepers, engineers, teachers, and high school graduates, many of whom filmed their visions for Palestine in 2018 if a peace agreement were to be reached. OneVoice welcomes the opportunity to speak specifically with women.

“Speaking to women means enhancing their role in the Palestinian community and engaging them to play a major role in raising the future generation with a better future vision,” said Dalia Labadi, OVP’s project manager.