With the beginning of the second Intifada in October 2000 people are again asking themselves, where the “Peace Process” had gone to and where the future would lead them. Although the “Roadmap for Peace” is still relevant and the “Geneva Agreement” seems to offer a solution for this seemingly intractable conflict, it is fair to say that all previous attempts to solve this conflict have failed. The “Summer War” with Hizb’allah in 2006 and the never ending tit-for-tat between Israel and the Hamas in Gaza are a sure proof that politicians on both sides have failed to provide a solution to this conflict. With every day that anger, fear and despair grow on both sides, the chances for a viable, sustainable solution are growing thinner. The attempts to solve this conflict on the basis of an exchange of hostilities, diplomatic gambling and chimera solutions have clearly failed.
There is, however, on both sides of the fence one thing people agree on: If there is to be peace it will have to come from within: From the resolve of the people and will have to grow bottom up. Only if both peoples are willing to encounter and talk with each other will there will be a viable chance for peace. Knowledge about oneself, one’s own fears, identity and visions for the future as well as the same knowledge about “the other” prepare the ground for openness towards dialogue, reduces stereotypes, provides trust and the understanding for the common cause in this small stretch of land. To build this basis of trust, mutual understanding and responsibility is the mission of our project Pillars of Peace – Amudei Shalom. As already stated in the Oslo Agreements we work towards trust and friendship through dialogue and education.
Currently, direct Arab-Israeli encounters (Palestinian-Israeli) (this is not true) are not possible due to the warlike state both societies are engaged in. There is, however within the state of Israel a large minority of Arab citizens which feels alienated and discriminated against while Jewish Israelis view their fellow Arab citizens with fear and distrust. The Israeli Arabs, however might hold the key to understanding and a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the whole Middle East. It is for these two groups we provide the structural basis for encounters and reconciliation.
In view of the strained relations between the Jewish and the Arab societies, and the effects of the continual conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Autonomy, the Peace Pillar Project aims at creating a basis for confidence-building and peace-promoting measures. On this basis, more and more advanced projects and activities have been created over the course of time to encourage the two groups to get to learn, know and understand each other in their various environments, and realities of life.
