Dear Friend,

Last night, tens of thousands of people gathered for the 20th Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Ceremony, organized by Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle – Families Forum. Together, we created a powerful shared space of grief, humanity, and hope. We are in awe at the bravery, courage and strength of our speakers, and filled with a renewed determination, fueled by their commitment to peace and justice.

Over 160 live broadcast screenings took place around the world in homes, community centers, places of worship, and even in the EU Parliament. In a moment where hatred continues to rise, our growing community chose another path - one of courage, empathy, and shared grief.

In Ra'anana, just 20 kilometers north of Tel Aviv, a screening held in a local synagogue was met with protesters shouting abuse and physically attempting to block people from entering. The 200 strong mob forced their way inside the synagogue and assaulted participants, hurling rocks and firecrackers at them. This is the reality we face - where fear breeds hatred, and hatred escalates into intimidation and violence. Yet even in the face of this hostility, our community stood tall. We stand in full solidarity with the organizers in Ra'anana and with everyone around the world who chose to listen to the voices of grief, empathy, and resistance - rather than give in to militarism, blame, and nationalism. Thank you for not turning away and for choosing to confront the pain of ‘the other,’ and for bearing witness not only to the loss within Israel, but to the ongoing devastation in the West Bank and Gaza, where war rages and starvation looms.

In a time filled with heartbreak and uncertainty, the ceremony reminded us of the simple but radical truth: humanity and hope must come first. 

Liat Atzili, widow of Aviv Atzili who was murdered on October 7th, a survivor of the Nir Oz massacre and a former hostage in Gaza, spoke of her quest to find meaning after deep personal loss: 

"Freedom is a heavy burden, but it is the only force capable of bringing peace among people and building a just and moral society."

'F' a Palestinian from Gaza whose mother was killed by sniper fire in Gaza, shared why she chose a path of peace despite her pain:

"Our lives are not only stories of sorrow - they are also stories of resilience, of standing firm and holding on to hope for a better tomorrow."

We must stop the de-humanization of 'the other' and remember that a mother is a mother, a child is a child, and a person is someone's world. Last night was a lesson in profound empathy through these dark days of violence and trauma - let's all take time to reflect on what we heard, and consider how we act now.

But what began last night doesn’t stop today - so we invite you to take the next step: become an active member of Combatants for Peace and play a role in ending the occupation, advancing peace and advocating for change. Here is what you can do today;