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

2018 letters from UK Jews

The Liberal Jewish movement in the UK asked some of its younger members what it would be like in 2018 if there were ten years of peace. They then sent the letters to OneVoice Europe. Here are a few:

“In 2018 is where Arabs and Jews can live side by side without worrying about being judged on anything. Where there are ‘Palestinian areas’ and ‘Israeli areas’ but they can choose to live together or separately. People wouldn’t be judged on what they believe where everyone has equal rights. Where there is no violence, where people can eat together, shop together and there is a united army of Israelis and Palestinians. Where it is optional to join the army. PEACE “ - Anna aged 15

“In 2018 Jews and Arabs live together with no conflict and frustration, but saying that there still will be groups of people who have frustration against the groups; but that happens in most countries. I think the daily panics of whether there will be a bomb will not be a problem. 10 years of peace means that maybe armies and the recruitment of soldiers will not be required as urgently and the age limit will rise. Young soldiers are not right and they deserve an education. But still hopefully over 10 years of peace Arabs and Jews will be able to live and work together without violence or anger that is present today.” – Rosie aged 14

“In 10 years time I hope that at the age of 18 you get the choice of joining the army” – Cecily aged 14

A big thank you to LJY for this!

One Voice goes to Summer U

OneVoice Europe attended a conference of 500 young European Jewish Leaders at the European Union of Jewish Students flagship event – Summer University. High up in the mountains of Switzerland, Sharon Booth and Joel Braunold worked with the international participants interviewing students from around the continent and presenting our regional work and polling.

For many Jewish students the conflict on campuses has become so intense that even seeing a stand with both an Israeli and Palestinian flag on it was suspicious. Through interacting with us over coffee, at our stand or in our sessions we managed to work though some of the hostility and convert more people in more countries to the OneVoice Movement. While we were there we also ran a focus group on the polling we did in the region and invited a cross section of delegates to take the peace poll.

Summer University is the first step in OneVoice Europe’s expansion of its educational and political outreach to Europe. If you would like to help OneVoice in Europe please contact us at Europe@onevoicemovement.org.uk.

Jericho Town Hall Meeting takes on borders

Dear OneVoice,

I am happy to inform you about our most recent Town Hall Meeting, on Tuesday in Jericho. It was a huge success.

We organized a THM in coordination with a youth camp run by the "Baladna" club and had more than 80 attendees. This was a bigger crowd than our recent meetings, and that gave a different methodology and atmosphere to the work.

Ibrahim Mubarak -- who always volunteers to partake in the THMs -- was the moderator and gave a presentation about the organization, the Public Opinion Poll and the Taboo topic "the borders". This issue is a huge taboo in the Palestinian society; even though we know (as Palestinians) that our government is calling for a two-state solution, the idea of the 1967 borders is a Taboo that is hard to discuss, and realizing that this means giving away historical Palestine is a bit of a hard thought.

Still, the THM was full of ideas and discussion, and we then broke into groups to answer the poll questions. Later, when they finished and presented their solutions (which by the way they all agreed on an Israeli withdrawal to the 67 borders) we presented the poll results on both sides and showed where the consensus arose between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Take a look at some pictures from the Town Hall Meeting, below.

-- Dalia Labadi

P.S., we have meetings upcoming in Ramallah and Bethlehem.

 

Be a OneVoice Government Relations Fellow!

Greetings from Capitol Hill! My name is Zishan Jiwani, and I have spent the past two weeks serving as a Government Relations Fellow with OneVoice Washington. I am currently a senior at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, studying international affairs and economics. My work with OneVoice began in fall 2008, when I helped to organize an event on my campus during OneVoice’s New York-area International Education Program (IEP) tour. Prior to OneVoice, I interned in government relations with Amnesty International USA and The Financial Services Roundtable.

The OneVoice Government Relations Fellowship Program is a blend of advocacy and education. It’s a program designed for passionate students to come to DC for two weeks and work with Amanda Fazzone, the Director of Government Relations, in educating members of Congress and their staff about OneVoice and its work in Israel, Palestine, and the United States. My personal experience has been incredible, as the Fellowship has taught me so much about the organization: its simple yet unbelievably complicated mission, its amazing staff (especially Amanda), its unique methodology, and its importance.

During the meetings (we had eight meetings on both the House and Senate side), I had the opportunity to discuss IEP with congressional staff members. I told them about the event on my campus at Seton Hall University, where we were able to host the event jointly with Salaam (an association of Muslim students working for peace) and the Jewish Student Union. I also conveyed the sense of gratitude among students and faculty when listening to an Israeli and a Palestinian speak about their daily lives in the conflict, why they believe in the Two-State Solution, and why it is important to educate American students further about the conflict.

Somewhere in between advocating for OneVoice, I found my own voice. I realized the ability to speak with confidence and comprehension. In just two weeks, I witnessed myself grow and become a more able advocate, and for this I am grateful to OneVoice for the opportunity, and I hope to continue my work with the organization until there is peace, a secure Israel and a viable Palestine.

- Zishan Jiwani
Seton Hall University, Class of 2010

Apply now for the OneVoice Government Relations Fellowship! After OVDC launched in April 2009, the Government Relations Fellowship Program was established to offer fellows a targeted immersion experience by liaising with Congress, the State Department, and the White House on U.S. foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine. OVDC looks for student activists who have relevant skills and previous experience – such as Arabic and/or Hebrew language, communications, and foreign/government relations. Duties include assisting with outreach to the U.S. government and DC-area non-governmental organizations and university communities; with coordination of the DC leg of IEP tours; and with fundraising. The Government Relations Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications for the academic year 2009-2010. Although the Fellowship is unpaid, a modest transportation stipend is provided – not to mention the occasional free lunch! To apply, send your (1) resume; (2) cover letter; (3) preferred dates; and (4) contact info. for three references to: DC@OneVoiceMovement.org.

OneVoice does NOT endorse graffiti, but...

Amanda from OneVoice Washington passes along this photo from the streets of Tel Aviv.

OneVoice Europe is Growing

OneVoice Europe’s office has expanded over the past few months. John Lyndon heads up our European operation now as our Executive director and we welcome Sharon Booth as our new Director of Outreach and Education. Sharon has recently returned to the UK after a six year stint living in North Africa and Jordan working for various organisations. We also have just brought Joel Braunold on board as our coordinator of government and media outreach. Joel comes to us on a Legacy Heritage Fellowship and previously was a national officer for the National Union of Students UK.

With more people in the office our work is constantly expanding with a UK wide International Educational Programme planned for November 2009 and European inroads being made in August with our presence at the European Jewish Students Annual conference in Geneva. We’ll also be at the Trade Union Congress, Labour and Conservative party conferences 2009. To keep up to date with our ongoing activities and join our mail list email us on Europe@onevoicemovement.org.uk