OneVoice Blog, Empowering Israeli and Palestinian Citizens Against Violent Extremism

More from Gaza - town hall meeting in Jabaliya

OneVoice Gaza is continuing and expanding its town hall meeting campaign - launched a couple weeks ago with meetings in Dar el Balah, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.  On Sunday, the Gaza team gathered people in Jabaliya to discuss Palestinian national aspirations and the imperative of a two state solution.

The team in Gaza is working to reach out to all communities in the Gaza strip, presenting to them the OneVoice approach and the opportunity to discuss the current situation in Gaza, the negotiations process, and the prospects for an independent, viable Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

U of Alberta Gateway: OneVoice movement comes to U of A for Middle East peace talk

By Sean Steels

Daroub Yacoub, a young Palestinian woman, remembers the moment she realized she wanted to speak out for peace in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Not that she could forget coming home to find the street in front of her house lined with military tanks.

The Alumni wall in front of which she and Maya Epstein, a young Israeli woman, are speaking to a small number of students might remind Epstein of a similar installment on her own campus. There’s only a small difference between the two exhibits: the wall on Epstein’s campus is decorated with the names of the seven students killed in her cafeteria by a suicide bomber, not with alumni.

Maya and Daroub have been brought together to speak at North American universities about their experiences by the OneVoice Movement, a non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to resolving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the Middle East. They are aware of the unique nature of their friendship.

“This,” Maya said, waving her finger back and forth between herself and Daroub, “does not happen everyday.”

The battle over the land in the Gaza strip has turned the two cultures into alien neighbours. They explained that the conflict, spurred on by a small minority of violent extremists, has cut traffic between the two states down to a paperwork-laden trickle. Most people don’t believe that the side opposing them would ever be willing to co-operate or keep promises that could lead to conflict resolution. At the same time, a poll conducted by OneVoice determined that 76 per cent of Israelis and Palestinians support a peaceful, two-state solution.

Laurel Rapp, OneVoice’s international education program manager, explained that through the use of its two branches, OneVoice Palestine and OneVoice Israel, the organization is coordinating state-unique efforts at the grassroots level to foster an atmosphere of trust and compassion between the silent and peaceful majorities of the two groups.

“What we have are two separate nationalist movements, OneVoice Palestine and OneVoice Israel, who are working for very different reasons but ultimately share the same goal of ending the conflict and establishing a two-state solution,” she explained.

“We do very few joint activities for two reasons. The first is logistical. Israelis cannot go to the West Bank or Gaza, and Palestinians [...] require a lot of paperwork [...] to get travel permits to Israel,” she said. “The second is we also realize that, at this point, we’re a bit of a ways from bringing Israelis and Palestinians together to love each other.”

But despite stumbling blocks created by over half a century of distrust and death, OneVoice has managed to break ground in the peace-making process. They’ve obtained over 650 000 signatories to their cause, with an equitable divide between Palestinian and Israeli participants. In the years since the organization’s 2002 debut, it has also expanded to stem the conflict on an international stage with their campus presentations in Europe and North America.

“It’s so clear that this conflict isn’t isolated to the West Bank,” Rapp said. “Coming to North America. you’ll find that this conflict replicates itself on university campuses. What we’re trying to do is bring moderate voices for resolution to campuses and show that Canadian students can be part of the solution rather than the problem.”

Jay Cairns, administrator of the Jewish Students Association (JSA) at the University of Alberta, fell short of directly endorsing OneVoice’s cause, but agreed that there should always be a venue for positive dialogue.

“There are many students that feel various ways about [conflict resolution], but the point for us is that we need to start focusing on peaceful solutions,” he said.

He explained that the JSA doesn’t take a political stance on the issue. The JSA’s first and foremost priority is the support it provides for university students and the security of the Jewish community on campus.

“Whether [the solution] is one-state or two-state, that gets into the political arena, and that’s something that we’re not prepared to do,” he conceded. “As it stands, we’re very happy with the situation on U of A campus. It’s very tame.”

http://www.thegatewayonline.ca/onevoice-movement-comes-to-u-of-a-for-middle-east-peace-talk-20080326-2426.html

International Education Program grows, inspiring new student chapters at universities

Over the past year, OneVoice has redesigned its International Education Program to better facilitate the growth and deepening of sustainable networks of engaged students on the campuses that it visits worldwide.  We are pleased to announce that this year, students at Washington DC's American University started a student OneVoice group - they have recently held their kick-off meeting, in which students lobbied competitively for leadership positions in the group.

The students have shown great leadership and have been incredibly committed to OneVoice and its principles.  They have big plans for the spring, which include an educational film festival, a Global Town Hall meeting, and other programming that directly builds on the work being done in the region by OneVoice Israel and OneVoice Palestine.

OneVoice Youth Leaders Meet with Martin Luther King III in Jerusalem

On Thursday, March 13, 2008 a group of international youth leaders gathered at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem to hear the inspiring words of Martin Luther King III.  The event was co-organized by the OneVoice Movement - represented by members of OneVoice Israel and OneVoice Palestine -  and a US-based organization called "Realizing the Dream."  Sitting next to one another and conversing over coffee were Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, Europeans and numerous other international citizens.

After getting to know one another, participants heard from Muli Peleg, a founding board member of the OneVoice Movement.  Muli spoke about the creation of OneVoice as a grassroots organization aiming to amplify the voice of the moderate majority in Israel and in Palestine.  After hearing from the directors of each organization - OneVoice Israel, OneVoice Palestine and "Realizing the Dream" - the event's keynote speaker took the floor.  Mr. King spoke eloquently about his father's dream of living in a world of peace -  a goal he is committed to pursuing.  He concluded by stressing the importance of the OneVoice Movement and encouraged the young leaders to take a stand and to fight for their ideals. Martin Luther King III officially became a OneVoice supporter after the Movement's representatives gave him the OneVoice pin.

OneVoice Israel continues to hold Youth Leadership development workshops, expanding and deepening its network

On March 14^th-15^th, OneVoice Israel conducted a Leadership Course at the Basel Hotel in Tel Aviv, bringing together 28 new youth leaders from all over Israel, and from universities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer Sheva, and Hertzliya.  During the two day course, the new leaders learned about OneVoice, its methodology and principles, and how to best represent the movement.  Through an intensive training session, participants were given the tools to strengthen their public speaking and communication skills.  After an enjoyable evening of socializing and getting to know one another, the leaders were up early for a long, information-packed day.  Lectures on the second day focused on the OneVoice agenda and mission.  Participants increased their familiarity with OneVoice as an organization, gave feedback on the 2008 field outreach campaign, and learned about the new youth leadership structure based on university chapters. During the entire weekend, the new leaders proved to be energetic and insightful, using critical thinking skills to ask challenging questions and give constructive feedback.  With the amount of intelligence and enthusiasm that was present in Tel Aviv last weekend, the university campuses across Israel will certainly see some strong and productive OneVoice chapters.

OneVoice Gaza launches series of town hall meetings throughout Gaza

è  Pictures from the town hall meetings

Despite the hardship which the Gaza strip is going through these days, last week OneVoice Gaza began a series of town hall meetings throughout Gaza, under the title, Palestinian National Aspirations & the Two State Solution to discuss and create awareness of the urgency of the negotiations process for the Palestinian people.  The meetings brought together groups of 40-50 women, university students, and activists at each meeting, in Dar al Balah, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahia. The purpose of the meetings was to introduce OneVoice Palestine's vision of ending the occupation and establishing a viable, independent Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

At Dar al Balah, Ezzeldin Masri, Outreach Director of OneVoice Gaza, emphasized the need to break the cycle of violence, and adopt nonviolent means of ending the occupation and the conflict once and for all.  Executive Director Mowaffaq Alami likewise talked about the need to present a different image of Gazans to the international community - one which is different from the violent stereotype.  He emphasized the need to mobilize the silent majority in Palestine toward expressing its will to end the occupation through direct negotiations.  The audience, comprised of 50 university students, was very interested in the message, even as it sounded new and strange in the context of the impoverished and stricken Gaza strip. 

In Beit Hanoun, where OneVoice Gaza gathered roughly 50 university students and activists, Ezzeldin spoke about Palestinians national aspirations, asking the audience to respond.  Many commented on the major changes in Palestinian nationalism over the past sixty years, and emphasized the importance of not allowing other countries or forces to hijack the Palestinian cause for their own purposes.  The participants concluded that it is imperative for the Palestinian leadership and people to do all they can to achieve a two state solution.   Mowaffaq asked the participants to imagine what Palestine would look like ten years from now, in 2018, if a peace agreement were achieved this year.  His question elicited many positive comments - many focused on the fact that Palestinians love life, and simply want to enjoy living, with hopes of a bright future for their children.  The participants likewise discussed the economic benefits for Palestinians in the context of a two state agreement. 

On March 18^th, Ezzeldin and Mowaffaq gathered 50 women from Jabaliya and Beit Lahia for a town hall meeting in Beit Lahia.  Mowaffaq started the meeting by introducing OneVoice and its guiding principles, and then spoke about the stability and prosperity which only peace can bring to the Gaza strip.  Ezzeldin spoke to the women about the talked about the need to support those who seek peace based on a two state solution - he emphasized that successful negotiations are the opportunity Palestinians want and need to end the occupation and establish an independent state.  The women in attendance spoke of the many hardships they have faced - the jobs they and their husbands have lost and the difficulties for their families.  They expressed a desire to end the violence and a better future.

OneVoice Palestinian Youth Leaders in West Bank launch solidarity campaign to support citizens of Gaza

In March, OneVoice Palestine’s Youth Leaders, concerned with the situation on the ground in Gaza, decided to launch a solidarity campaign for the people of Gaza throughout the West Bank.

They created 5000 black ribbons and distributed them in Jericho, Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarim, Nablus, Qalqilia, Hebron and Bethlehem – passing them out to people in the streets, and people in taxis and cars.  The ribbons read “Gaza is in our hearts" and had the OneVoice symbol on them. 

Feedback on the streets was very positive, and it was a good way to engage people, and to spread the OneVoice message throughout the West Bank. OVP Youth Leaders canvassed the streets, talking to people about the imperative of achieving a final and comprehensive peace agreement that will guarantee ending occupation and  achieving a two state solution, and lead to the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state at peace with Israel.  They reiterated that this solidarity campaign also aims to emphasize the need for national unity, and that an independent Palestinian state must include both Gaza and the West Bank.  Furthermore, the only way to ensure that this vision is achieved is to support uninterrupted and serious negotiations.

PeaceWorks Foundation Receives Million Dollar Award from the Skoll Foundation

Three-year Award to Support Grassroots Initiative to End the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

New York, NY – 11 March 2008 – The PeaceWorks Foundation today announced it is the recipient of a three-year, $1,015,000 award from the Skoll Foundation for its initiatives aimed at mobilizing the Israeli and Palestinian grassroots in support of a negotiated two state solution. The award is one of 11 Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship presented by the Skoll Foundation to recognize the most innovative and sustainable approaches to resolving the most urgent social issues. PeaceWorks joins a prestigious global network of Skoll entrepreneurs, now numbering 59, who are working around the world on issues including tolerance and human rights, health, economic and social equity, peace and security, institutional responsibility, and environmental sustainability.

Since its inception in 2002, the PeaceWorks Foundation and its flagship initiative, the OneVoice Movement, has worked to bring the voice of the moderate majority of Israelis and Palestinians to the leaders and to the world stage, demanding a resumption of immediate and uninterrupted negotiations toward a two state solution guaranteeing the establishment of an independent, viable Palestinian state at peace with Israel. Via separate, parallel, nationalist movements in Israel and Palestine and an international movement of invested citizens worldwide, OneVoice has succeeded in signing on 650,000 signatory members to its call for a serious peace process to end the occupation and all forms of violence, and achieves international recognition, security, respect, peace, and prosperity for both sides.

“Our work is aimed at and centered on the lives and aspirations of ordinary people – it is based on the urgency of their right to live in a place free from violence and bloodshed and fear,” said Daniel Lubetzky, the organization’s Founder and President. “In the end, sustainable, meaningful change won’t come from boardrooms or statehouses; it will come from these ordinary citizens. We seek to empower grassroots agents of change, giving them the tools to wrest their lives from the grips of interminable conflict. The Skoll Foundation’s generosity will go a long way in helping us to have a real impact on the ground.”

“Daniel Lubetzky and his team at PeaceWorks are tremendous additions to the community of Skoll social entrepreneurs who have demonstrated, through their inspiration and creativity, courage and fortitude, that solutions do exist for some of the world’s most intractable problems,” said Sally Osberg, President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. “We believe their work has the potential for transformational benefit to the area of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we’re honored to support their continued commitment to systemic change at the grassroots level.”

Mr. Lubetzky will be presented the award by Skoll Foundation Chairman Jeff Skoll, Skoll Foundation President and CEO, Sally Osberg and special guest, former President Jimmy Carter, at a special ceremony on March 27 at the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University. Lubetzky will be participating in the three-day World Forum along with over 700 attendees from the global social entrepreneurship community.

About the PeaceWorks Foundation & OneVoice Movement

Founded in 2002, the PeaceWorks Foundation works through a variety of initiatives to unite moderates in the Middle East to push for conflict resolution and a negotiated two state solution ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Foundation’s flagship initiative is OneVoice, an international movement of Americans, Palestinians, Israelis, Europeans, Muslims, Jews and Christians who are ready and eager to support a serious process, leading to a comprehensive peace agreement ending the occupation and all forms of violence. With 650,000 Israeli, Palestinian, and international signatories, we work to amplify the voice of the moderate majority of Palestinian and Israelis, empowering them to seize back the agenda for conflict resolution and to demand that their leaders work immediately and continuously to achieve a two state solution through comprehensive negotiations that will lead to the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian state living in peace and security with the state of Israel.

For more information, visit www.onemillionvoices.org.

About the Skoll Foundation

The Skoll Foundation was created in 1999 by eBay's first president, Jeff Skoll, to promote his vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world. Today the Skoll Foundation advances systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs - individuals dedicated to innovative, bottom-up solutions that transform unequal and unjust social, environmental and economic systems.

The Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship is the foundation's flagship program. There are currently 50 organizations represented by 59 remarkable social entrepreneurs in the program, working individually and together across regions, countries and continents to evolve the field of social entrepreneurship into a global movement for social change. The Skoll Foundation connects social entrepreneurs and other partners in the field via an online community at www.socialedge.org, and through the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. The foundation also celebrates social entrepreneurs by telling their stories through partnerships with the PBS Foundation and the Sundance Institute, with the goal of promoting large-scale public awareness of social entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit www.skollfoundation.org.