Asel Asleh is the first Seeds of Peace graduate to have lost his life in the ongoing battle between Israelis and Palestinians. On behalf of Seeds everywhere, we mourn the tragic loss of this sensitive, caring and articulate individual. On behalf of the whole Seeds of Peace family, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and hundreds of Arab and Israeli friends. All of us have a responsibility now to remember Asel for his courageous acts of leadership and for overcoming the legacy of hatred into which he was born.
Asel was caught in the middle, a metaphor for his life, for he was always feeling caught in the middle, between both sides of the conflict. Asel reached out to new and old Seeds alike. He turned his feelings about being caught in the middle as an Arab-Israeli into being a bridge person who could connect the people on each side of the conflict to the other. Asel was an outstanding person, an incredible friend, and a true Seed of Peace. He was an inspiring, fair-minded leader, full of compassion and understanding. This is the kind of leader the world needs, now and in the future. The loss of Asel Asleh is immeasurable.