It is now over seven months since the terrible attacks by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens, followed by a huge Israeli attack on Gaza, which by 12 May had seen 35 000 people killed. The dead on both sides have included children and babies. News of possible breakthroughs in peace talks comes and goes and still the suffering goes on. Looking on from afar, it can be easy to just despair and turn away, especially as in so many conflicts, so much of the media can be seen to concentrate on the angry voices. Yet there are so many in the region who want peace and reconciliation.
On Sunday 12 May, I had the privilege, and that really is the correct word, to watch part of the 19th Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony on a livestream and see more the next day.
Who was the ceremony set up by and what was the purpose? This is what was written on the official website for the event:
“The lives of everyone connected to Israel and Palestine will never be the same since 7 October 2023. With tens of thousands of lives cut short, families torn apart, children traumatized, now more than ever we need to continue to show up for one another to mourn and remember. And, as we do every year, call for an end to the violence and demand a political solution that brings freedom, justice and safety for all. With all eyes of the international community on Israel and Palestine, now more than ever, we need to unite around our sorrow and stay strong in building hope that another way is not only possible but imperative.
“This year will be the 19th annual joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony organized by Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle Family Forum. It is the only one of its kind and it is the largest Israeli-Palestinian jointly organized peace event. Last year over 15,000 people were in attendance physically and around 200,000 virtually from all around the world. The event is held every year on Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day), a national day of mourning for Israelis. Our ceremony is radically different from the typical ceremonies that promote a narrative that war and death are inevitable and necessary. Instead, the joint memorial event is a unique opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to grieve together and stand united in demanding an end to the bloodshed. In mourning together, we seek not to equate experiences, but rather transform despair into hope and build compassion around our shared humanity. We remind ourselves and the world that occupation, oppression, and conflict are not inevitable.”
The ceremony – reaching out and a desire for peace
What I saw was a truly moving ceremony, which I was able to join about 15 minutes in. The contributions from both Israelis and Palestinians, who had lost family members to violence, were quite stunning, in both their emotional depth and erudition. Meanwhile the musical contributions seemed just right, with beautiful haunting melodies matched by meaningful words, which touched the heart.
We heard from a mother, who had lost her 20-year-old son, a woman who had lost her brother, a son who whose mother had been murdered and many others from both sides, who had been affected by the war in the saddest and most devastating ways. They all spoke with words, which seemed to be drawn from the wells of deepest sorrow.
While it was heart-wrenching at times to hear the testimonies, the desire of those bereaved to reach out to others and not let hatred engulf them was somehow very uplifting and hopeful and so sorely needed in a time of such dark despair.
What was not in doubt was the level of pain that the contributors had been through, but out of which seemed to have grown an awareness of the suffering of all in this terrible conflict and an empathy, which was truly a lesson for us all. In some respects, I am reminded of the following lines from the great ancient Greek poet and playwright, Aeschylus:
“In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”
The many beautiful words from the speakers and singers displayed a remarkable level of insight, not only into their own distress but that of everyone touched by the hostilities and a heartfelt desire for peace.
What shone through was a common humanity, a feeling of shared loss certainly, but also a shared hope that is so desperately needed in the region and in many other parts of the world today. It is difficult to put into words the level of admiration I have for those who took part.
A small glimmer of hope
I will say this: in what are very dark days in the region, even by the standards of the last 70 years or more, this ceremony was a small glimmer of hope, a tiny, defiant light in the oppressive darkness. It was a narrow glimpse through a window that needs to be opened, to a different reality for the people of both Israel and Palestine. I can only hope that those who want that window unlocked are able to open it wide, in the months and years to come.
You can donate to Combatants for Peace here.
