Peace News spoke with Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders to learn more about the vital work they do to build peace and reconciliation on a human level, before and during the war in Gaza. We met with representatives of the Parents Circle, Combatants for Peace, and Standing Together, three peacebuilding organizations that bring together people from both sides to change perceptions, achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict, and combat hate. Their work is more important than ever as the need for a long-term solution becomes clear amid the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Bottom-up peacebuilding is crucial at a time of increasing polarization, and can help combat the warlike rhetoric coming from leaders on both sides. Instead of seeing each other as enemies, peacebuilders in these organizations focus on their shared humanity, which is essential to building lasting peace and ending the cycle of violence.
Mica Hong is a promising video editor and an aspiring filmmaker. Currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Communications, she strives to bring creative visual storytelling in every frame edited. She is also an active volunteer in the community, dedicating her time and skills in a Rotaract Club with a heart of service to make a positive im
