The Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF) is a grassroots organization of Palestinian and Israeli families who have lost immediate family members due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The PCFF operates under the principle that a process of reconciliation is a prerequisite for achieving a sustained peace. Two PCFF members—an Israeli and a Palestinian—will join us to tell their personal stories of bereavement and explain their choice to engage in dialogue instead of revenge.

Laila Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Layla joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.

Yigal Elhanan is Israeli. When he was 4 years old, his sister, Smadar, was killed in a Palestinian suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Yigal is a member and activist in the Parents Circle – Families Forum. His father, Rami Elhanan, previously served as the Israeli Co-Director of the organization.

After hearing from the Parents Circle members, John Ciorciari (Ford School Associate Professor of Public Policy and Director of the International Policy Center and Weiser Diplomacy Center) will moderate a discussion between the presenters with some audience questions that came in through registration.

The bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken a heavy toll from each and every one of the PCFF members. It is through this pain that they have chosen to exchange their feelings of rage and revenge, helplessness, despair and the void, with activities of hope for reconciliation. Join us to hear their stories, and learn from their path from revenge to reconciliation.

For more info and viewing details visit https://fordschool.umich.edu/event/2022/rage-reconciliation-stories-israeli-palestinian-conflict