From Despair to Hope – Israeli/Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum

Mar

04

Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Location: JW3 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET

Meretz UK is delighted to host a meeting with UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum on the evening of Monday, 4 March at Learning Room 1, JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET – see map.

Our speakers are Bassam Aramin and Robi Damelin. Each lost an irreplaceable loved one to the conflict – Robi’s son David and Bassam’s daughter Abir. Yet instead of showing rancour or pursuing revenge, they have both turned personal trauma into a quest for peace and reconciliation between their peoples. You will find their testimonies riveting and inspiring!

  • Time: 6 to 8 pm
  • Free entry; book places via Eventbrite
  • Contact: meretzuk@yahoo.co.uk
  • Event supported by Hashomer Hatzair Trust

Bassam Aramin, PCFF Spokesperson

Bassam lives in Anata – East Jerusalem. He is a father of six. Bassam started his struggle against the Israeli occupation when he was 13 years old. In 1985 at the age of 17, he was incarcerated and spent seven years in Israeli jails between 1985- 1992. While in jail, Bassam came to learn and understand the Jewish narrative underlying the Israeli state. He went on to study history and holds an MA in Holocaust studies, from University of Bradford, England.

Bassam is a member of the PCFF since 2007, after losing his 10-year-old daughter Abir, killed by an Israeli border policeman in front of her school in Anata in 2007. As spokesperson for the Parents Circle – Families Forum, Bassam devotes his time and energies to his conviction for a peaceful, non-violent end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation.Robi Bassam Al Filipov award 9.25.16

Robi Damelin, PCFF Spokesperson

Robi was born in South Africa and immigrated to Israel in 1967 as a volunteer on a kibbutz. In South Africa, Robi was very active in anti-apartheid activities. Her uncle Judge Maisels defended Nelson Mandela in the treason trials.

She lost her son David in March, 2002, when a Palestinian sniper shot him while David was on Israeli Defense Force (IDF) reserve duty. David was a student at Tel Aviv University studying for his MA in the Philosophy of Education and an active member of the peace movement.

Since 2003 Robi has been making use of her personal pain for reconciliation rather than revenge and thereby creating a ray of light for peace in the Middle East. As the person responsible for Parents’ Circle’s Public Relations, Robi gives many interviews to international and local media, thereby using the media as a tool to promote peace.