JERUSALEM | In the wake of the horrific bloodshed in and around Gaza and recent clashes in Jerusalem and the West Bank, 53 Israeli and Palestinian Seeds spent three days in late November examining their personal emotional reactions to the violence. The “I for an Eye” seminar provided participants with an avenue to better understand conflict and the larger forces that perpetuate violence, hate, and injustice—from occupation and religion, to media and politics.
It took place near Jerusalem at the only intentional Arab-Jewish community in Israel, known as Wahat al-Salam or Neve Shalom, which means “Oasis of Peace” in English.
The Seeds took part in a number of workshops and activities on the construction of narrative and self-expression. While engaging in their first dialogue sessions since the summer, they addressed questions such as, “As a Seed living and breathing the situation, what am I witnessing and how am I processing my core questions and beliefs? How are others perceiving and reflecting on my emotions, reactions, and story as it plays out around me? Are there larger structures and mechanisms at work that create an incessant cycle of distrust/hate/violence/conflict/war?”
“We created a safe space to address and process the emotional impact this summer had on all of us, and to better comprehend our own strengths, weaknesses and mechanisms we develop to cope with the aftermath, both individually and collectively,” said one organizer.
During a powerful moment, the participants came together to support a fellow Seed whose friend had been shot and killed near his refugee camp, and then held a moment of silence for all of the innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives lost this year. “This seminar was one which helped validate my Seeds experience,” said the Seed.
Furthermore, after the Seminar ended, this group continued to support one another through a structured, online dialogue group. This initiative that was created and implemented solely by the Seeds themselves.
One participant remarked, “I learned about new things, but more importantly, I felt the support of my Seeds family which helped me to overcome one of the worst times I have ever had.”