Gaza Conflict: Human Tragèdia
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, triggering a counterattack and a war that continues to this day. Six months later, the conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of people, mainly children, and displaced hundreds of thousands in the Gaza Strip. It has also generated discontent towards the Israeli government within the country and mobilized humanitarian organizations to support the victims.
Voces de la Paz: May Shanin e Iris Gur
In the midst of heartbreaking figures, moving human stories such as those of peace activists Mai Shanin and Iris Gur emerge. As part of the 14th edition of Human Rights Cities, the Montserrat Roig Library hosted a conference entitled ‘Building Peace in Israel and Palestine’, where these two women shared their experiences and visions.
Mai Shanin: Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Mai Shanin, daughter of Palestinian fighters, has faced war since her youth. ‘Today, our most fundamental need is freedom stolen by occupation’, she said. As a member of the Peace Fighters organization, Shanin advocates ‘alternative strategies to violence to find a peaceful solution to the conflict’.
Shanin stressed the importance of overcoming the ‘they against us’ mentality and finding common ground. ‘We do not want a Palestinian response where the oppressed becomes oppressor’, he said.
Iris Gur: Defying the Zionist Narrative
Iris Gur, an Israeli educator, shared her personal story to illustrate the complex situation of the two peoples living in the same territory. Born into a conservative Zionist family, Gur was educated with the narrative that Israel was the only safe haven for Jews and that Arabs were a threat. However, her mentality changed after her daughter refused to perform military service.
Gur highlighted the naturalization of war in Israeli society and the fear of expressing dissenting opinions. ‘The war between Israel and Palestine is genocide’, he said. ‘We have learned nothing from the Holocaust’.
The Need for a Joint Solution
Both Shanin and Gur agreed on the need for a joint solution, recognizing the diversity of Israeli and Palestinian society. ‘Not all are murderers, most are normal people,’ said Gur. Both activists emphasized the crucial role of the international community in resolving the conflict.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, where attendees were able to deepen the perspectives of the speakers and the role of organizations such as Peace Fighters in the search for peace.
