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Photos: Published by Haaretz
Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families have found hope and connection in attending a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in the past. Credit: Credit: Photo: Tomer Appelbaum Artwork by Anastasia Shub

Israelis and Palestinians attending the joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in 2018. Credit: Ofer Vaknin
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Twice the Supreme Court has upheld our appeal to allow Palestinians from the West Bank to attend a memorial ceremony next week in Tel Aviv. Now Israel's defense minister, giving in to dark and dangerous anti-democratic political manipulations, is trying to reimpose that ban


by Roni Damelin for Haaretz
April 16, 2023

Defense Minister Gallant, for one moment there you were a little light of democracy and integrity.

How swiftly you are drawn back into the abyss of dark and dangerous anti-democratic political manipulations. You have not enough on your ministerial plate, now you must deal with those peaceniks who commemorate the loss of their loved ones at a joint ceremony of bereaved Palestinians and Israelis during Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day.

A ceremony so dangerous that it might show a little light and hope.

For what seditious crimes against the State and bereaved families who do not agree with us are we accused? Is it the very DNA of peacemakers which causes so much fear? Who are these subversive troublemakers who plot against the state?

Perhaps we can alleviate some of the suspicion by explaining what it is that we do at the joint ceremony, who we are and what it the vision we have for the future. Bereaved Palestinians come to share their stories of loss, of transformation from anger to nonviolence and reconciliation and are looking for a suitable like-minded partner.

They have found it in their Israeli partners who have also experienced the worst thing that can happen – who, like them, know the unfathomable pain from the loss of a child or father or mother or brother or sister. We, grieving Israelis and Palestinians, are all members of the Parents Circle-Families Forum.

. . . Continue reading Roni Damelin's OpEd here

Read "Israel Bars Bereaved Palestinian Families From Attending Joint Jewish-Arab Memorial Day Ceremony" and related background here.