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We Refuse to be Enemies - Vision Camp in Israel-Palestine
un article par Leila Dregger
Bombs that reduce play areas, refugee camps and entire streets to
ruins. Children that bleed to death in these ruins. Ten thousand
people looking for shelter. Overcrowded hospitals and exhausted
doctors. On hearing this news, anyone with an open heart, cannot
but act. 
Sabine Lichtenfels
click on photo to enlarge
Amidst this seemingly hopeless situation Sabine Lichtenfels, co-
founder of peace research center Tamera, Portugal, initiated a
vision camp in the West Bank (together with the team that plans a
peace research village - PRV in the Middle East). It had one main
goal: to create and sustain humanity, trust and exchange between
both sides. Even the international flight cancellations to Tel Aviv
could not stop her; she did not give up until she and her team had
managed to get the last places in fully-booked Israeli plane. Finally,
50 peace workers from Palestine, Israel and other countries met
from July 24 to 29 on open land near Bethlehem.
Participants of the vision camp met, ate and slept under the open
sky and in the simplest of conditions. Their question was: "What can
we do to stop the violence, hatred and fear?" Neither the venue, the
names nor photos of the Palestinian participants were published. In
Palestinian society any contact with Israelis is condemned as
"normalization". Fortunately, fears that the camp might be attacked
did not materialize.
Peace activists on both sides are tired - some even desperate,
burned out, feeling helpless - in the face of violence. Peace makers
have become a minority of a minority in their own country.
"We need to find out why we as peace workers have failed," says
Sami Awad, director of the Holy Land Trust and a teacher of
nonviolence in Bethlehem. "We face burning hatred on both sides.
That is why I cannot believe in any solution that is based solely on
the agreement of political leaders. We need to resolve the hatred
itself. It is a work of reconciliation, which starts at the individual and
at the community level."
The beginning was not easy. Worldviews collided, fears and blame,
helplessness and anger came up. Some would rather have left
immediately. "We've talked enough, we must do something!" they
said, but did not know what to do.
Deep listening to one another was the most important element of
these days. Sabine Lichtenfels, who accompanied the talks with
great power and patience, "It is essential that we perceive the pain
and fear of the other person and not be too quick to give answers
and advice. We must dare to face our own inner, sometimes painful
place of not knowing - only then we will be open for real answers
and solutions."
Ali Abu Awad, the owner of the land, was in prison as a young man.
His brother had been shot by soldiers. At first he was full of
revenge, but then he found the deep decision for nonviolence.
"I realized that revenge won´t bring back my brother. I decided to
leave the role of the victim behind. And meeting Israelis, like here,
who respect me as a human being keep me from taking action
against Israel - more than the Israeli army ever could."
(This article is continued in the discussionboard)
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In recent times, such encounters between the two peoples have become less frequent. Decades of war propaganda on both sides, as well as the historical trauma, have created an explosive mixture of non-communication, distrust and fear throughout the region. Each extremist government that wants war can ignite such a mixture for their purposes. The economic interests then remain in the background. "Those who do not want a war need a vision for peace," says Sabine Lichtenfels. This includes places where trust and humanity are stronger than fear and hatred.
The humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held for little more than a day. Ali Abu Awad, "Today, on a playground in Gaza, 10 children were killed by bombs. . ... continuation.
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