Dear Friends,
The news of the recent ceasefire and the return of hostages and prisoners has brought immense relief to us all across Israel and Palestine. Like so many others, we at Combatants for Peace feel deep joy for the families who have suffered unimaginable pain and can now embrace their loved ones again. At the same time, we remember all those who were not returned, all those who were lost, and all the families who will never be whole again.
In moments like this, the word 'peace' fills every conversation — but we must ask ourselves: what does peace really mean and who gets to define it? The answer must come from us, Palestinians and Israelis together, because only we can build it, live it, and ensure it endures.
Peace cannot mean a return to the status quo that brought us here, a quiet imposed by force, or a political deal driven by outside greed or interests. True peace must come from within — from courageous, democratic Palestinian and Israeli leadership that puts safety, freedom, and dignity for all at the center, supported by an international community committed to justice and human rights rather than power or convenience. Our pain and trauma must never be used as an opportunity for foreign leaders to play the hero or bolster their own political image; true diplomacy can support us, but it cannot dictate our future.
The international community that stands with us has an important role to play. Support must go beyond statements and symbolic gestures — it must insist on accountability, uphold human rights, and reinforce the voices of Israelis and Palestinians demanding justice and dignity. True peace will only take root when it is built by those who live here, with the world as an ally in ensuring that freedom, safety, and equality are no longer negotiable.
Hope is fragile, but it’s here — and it must not be wasted. This moment can still become the foundation for real and lasting change. With the steadfast support of our partners around the world, we can ensure that justice and humanity guide what comes next.
In peace & solidarity,
Rana Salman & Eszter Koranyi
Co-Directors, Combatants for Peace
