This is what fear has created, a system of unjust mechanisms to control and restrict the freedom of movement of the Palestinian people.   These actions in the name of defense are collective punishment, targeting extremists, but affecting the innocent.   I do not deny the necessity of a government to protect its citizens who face deliberate attacks against the innocent.   But, I question the means of protection when they come at the cost of more innocent lives.

In the face of such grave restrictions on movement and access to resources, the Palestinian population is growing weary and discouraged.   The focus of many Palestinian peace-building organizations is to focus on non-violence in curbing Palestinian aggravation and as a means to systematically create peace through the implementation of justice.   These Palestinian organizations are the hopeful voices of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.   Holy Land Trust is a Palestinian organization that seeks to bring awareness of the conflict to the international community and trains Palestinians in non-violence.   Their Peace and Reconciliation Project focuses on being proactive rather than reactive, a message reiterated by other Palestinian non-violence organizations we met with such as Al-Haq, and Wi'am (Palestinian Center for Conflict Resolution).  

These organizations are working to actively train Palestinians in non-violence, and to work for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.   Holy Land Trust and Al-Haq also focus on media programs, aimed at the creation of alternative media sources discussing the conflict, presenting perspectives that are often not accessible to the international community.

Our days as a delegation were filled with meetings with four or five peace organizations, each with a unique mission and approach to conflict resolution between Israel and Palestine.   Many organizations focus on ending the occupation, some want to see basic human rights for Palestinians, several are working for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, and many organizations are using their religion as a source of inspiration for social justice work, such as Rabbis for Human Rights.   Meeting with peace organizations such as these, I explored conflict within the framework of peace building, a process that left me inspired and called to action.   These meetings provided access to invaluable voices of hope and reconciliation.   These are the voices that we do not hear coming from Israel and Palestine.   What an opportunity I was given to listen to these people moved to action by the love of their countries, their people, and humanity in general.

It is also important to acknowledge that the most valuable experiences from the delegation were the moments throughout the day were often when I could engage in conversations with "average citizens" of both Israel and Palestine.   Walks from our hotel in East Jerusalem to the Old City would lead to conversations at the local coffee shop with the son of the Palestinian owners about his art and upcoming studies in Italy.   Or the day when I was walking through the shops in the suks and was asked by the Palestinian shop keeper to come in for tea and coffee.   My days were filled with constant conversation with our Palestinian bus driver, Eid, who I developed a strong friendship with, who hugged me when I cried at the Wall, and who shared his stories of hope for reconciliation with his Israeli neighbors.  

An overnight stay with a Palestinian family reinforced these images of hospitality and kindness, as our group spent the day pulling weeds surrounding their olive trees, and spent the night around a campfire sharing songs and moments of friendship.   A heart-felt conversation with the Israeli student from Hebrew University studying Palestinian cinema who shared his hopes for peace also replays in my mind.   As do images of the conversation over dinner had with the young Israeli woman who talked to me about her regrets that she does not have Palestinian friends.  

These are the images that we do not see, the voices that we do not hear, and the stories that are not shared.   In an area of overt conflict and injustice, there are still images of the seemingly un-extreme.   The images of the artists, the shop owners, the fathers and husbands, the mothers and sisters, the students, and the activists are the extremes of love and tolerance, of hope and inspiration.   These are the images that remind me of the humanity of the situation, and inspire me to work toward a future spent dedicated to conflict resolution.

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