Latest / Europe Calling Podcast / #259 “Beyond the Headlines: Israelis, Iranians, and Palestinians in Their Own Words.” (ENGLISH)

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#259 “Beyond the Headlines: Israelis, Iranians, and Palestinians in Their Own Words.” (ENGLISH) · Europe Calling Podcast

• 0:00
  Speaker 0: One.
• 0:01
  Speaker 0: welcome to the two hundred and fifty-ninth episode of Europe Calling.
• 0:05
  Speaker 0: We would particularly like to welcome our three speakers today, I shall be introducing them in a short while.
• 0:13
  Speaker 0: My name is Maximilian Fries.
• 0:29
  Speaker 0: with us, and you can select the language under the small globe icon in the control panel.
• 0:37
  Speaker 0: And now I will continue an English so our guests and partners cannot understand me.
• 0:43
  Speaker 0: speaking of partners this webinar is only possible because if a partnership between thirty degrees come back to seem Europe calling it notes we all NGOs from UK Germany Israel and Europe and global as whole throwing our weights and supporters behind.
• 0:59
  Speaker 0: So no wonder we have close to three thousand registrations from all over the world.
• 1:04
  Speaker 0: Thank you, everyone who made that possible!
• 1:08
  Speaker 0: Now on to the topic of today….
• 1:10
  Speaker 0: Since the end of February Israel and the US are at war with Iran very quickly.
• 1:15
  Speaker 0: this war spread into the region not only in the Gulf but also into Lebanon and Gaza.
• 1:21
  Speaker 0: Despite a former ceasefire fighting continues until suffering is mounting.
• 1:25
  Speaker 0: This is why we organized our webinar To hear from voices on Iran, Palestine and Israel.
• 1:32
  Speaker 0: Voices united by the opposition to war And voices that are in direct contact with people directly affected.
• 1:40
  Speaker 0: We want listen we give room for views and voices.
• 1:45
  Speaker 0: Today will be two parts.
• 1:48
  Speaker 0: In first part we'll hear ten minutes long testimonials of our speakers On their background connections their situation and their activism.
• 1:59
  Speaker 0: And in the second part, we will dig deeper to the geopolitics and questions of international solidarity.
• 2:06
  Speaker 0: after both parts We'll have time for your question.
• 2:10
  Speaker 0: For those questions you can all ask using the tool Slido where You Can Ask Your Questions and Upload The Questions Of Others.
• 2:17
  Speaker 0: Give Them Thumbs Up If You Like The Question.
• 2:20
  Speaker 0: That Way We Can Easily Choose The Questions That Interest You The Most.
• 2:25
  Speaker 0: We'll also put the link now for that in chat and mobile code so you can get started asking questions.
• 2:31
  Speaker 0: As always, your calling will be recorded then published on YouTube as podcast afterwards.
• 2:39
  Speaker 0: That's it with service announcement And we're going to start our testimonials.
• 2:44
  Speaker 0: I would first introduce three guests Then give them a floor.
• 2:49
  Speaker 0: Our first guest Sarah Hark Duzdi, among her many roles, Sarah is both a seasoned organizer for progressive courses as well as novelist.
• 2:59
  Speaker 0: She was born in Iran and lived in Australia but now based the United States.
• 3:03
  Speaker 0: Currently she's chief of program for political action committee Move On.
• 3:08
  Speaker 0: She formerly was executive director of Win Without War A progressive foreign policy organization with hundreds thousands activists across country.
• 3:17
  Speaker 0: Sarah also founded the RIM, Let's Go and Farsi nonprofit that work to support changemakers in Iran.
• 3:24
  Speaker 0: Many very good reasons if there are here.
• 3:25
  Speaker 0: so Sarah great to have you!
• 3:28
  Speaker 0: Our second speaker then will be Amira.
• 3:31
  Speaker 0: Amira Musallam is a Palestinian Christian peace activist and the head of mission and co-founder of Unarmed Civilian Protection in Palestine, an initiative coordinating protective presence documentation on international advocacy at high risk Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
• 3:47
  Speaker 0: Amira has worked with many international civil society networks and advocating for civilian protection accountability.
• 3:56
  Speaker 0: Mira has spoken to United Nations, engaged policy makers internationally and sent us the voices of Palestinian women and families facing this possession.
• 4:07
  Speaker 0: And our third speaker is Sarit Larry.
• 4:10
  Speaker 0: she's an active member of Israeli civil society.
• 4:13
  Speaker 0: She currently serves as Deputy Executive Director of Content and Strategy at Zazim Community Action.
• 4:20
  Speaker 0: Prior to this role, she founded and led the academia division at ACORT Social Psychology for social change and served a co-director amazing guests.
• 4:38
  Speaker 0: Really it's a big, big honor to have that panel as our panel.
• 4:41
  Speaker 0: also three women on the panel.
• 4:42
  Speaker 0: so I will actually take myself back hand over very shortly after testimonials to Amelie and just give you the floor for your testimonials.
• 4:55
  Speaker 0: Um, first of all thank you all so much for having me.
• 5:09
  Speaker 0: It is such a privilege to be talking to y'all though I wish it was in different circumstances and on a different topic.
• 5:18
  Speaker 0: but here we are!
• 5:19
  Speaker 0: So i'm gonna start by sharing some of my stories-so to tell you all a bit about me...I was born in Iran..i still have a lot of family there currently live My husband is also Jewish and we have children who are raising in both Jewish and Muslim traditions which has given us a very interesting perspective.
• 5:46
  Speaker 0: And one thing that I want to share with all of you, every day when i look at my kids...I remember what were currently living through the context of the Middle East was not inevitable.
• 6:02
  Speaker 0: we were not designed to have conflict.
• 6:06
  Speaker 0: That has been choices that leaders have made over and over again, to pit so many of these communities against each other And in so many other ways.
• 6:16
  Speaker 0: So much our community's had such long beautiful histories Not just coexistence but really thriving together when the different principles are applied.
• 6:28
  Speaker 0: And before I get into more of this moment, i also just want to acknowledge that when we talk about war it is often so easy To Talk About the Headlines.
• 6:46
  Speaker 0: like over ten countries that have had bombs rain down on them for the last few weeks.
• 7:01
  Speaker 0: Or folks who are in military service right now, agonizing worry about if you try to make a phone call and they're going stress of the sleepless nights, that trying to figure out how to talk and make sense of this to kids as a parent is just it's so heavy.
• 7:29
  Speaker 0: It's real!
• 7:32
  Speaker 0: And for folks who have been experiencing day in or dayout I want say both you are not alone and none should ever be put into Again, these.
• 7:47
  Speaker 0: we are here because a series of choices have been made that I've been putting the safety and the political ambitions of leaders ahead of our safety.
• 7:59
  Speaker 0: And I fundamentally believe that our safety as people is intertwined.
• 8:07
  Speaker 0: spent a lot of time in Australia, and one of my favorite sayings there was from an Indigenous elder who said like if you have come here to save me.
• 8:17
  Speaker 0: You are wasting your time but If you've come here because your liberation is bound up in mind then we can work together And I think that is for me such a guiding principle In this moment.
• 8:31
  Speaker 0: now other things i want to share about Iran right now that folks might know is, it has genuinely been a really horrific year.
• 8:42
  Speaker 0: I am someone who is deeply anti this regime and deeply anti authoritarianism wherever i see doing horrific things for a long time, but especially at the beginning of this year when there was mass protests and uprisings.
• 9:06
  Speaker 0: They oversaw a really horrific massacre of up to estimates still range between ten-to twenty thousand people.
• 9:14
  Speaker 0: And as we talk about solutions I think it is also really important not to erase the authoritarianism that is happening in Iran and what this government has done.
• 9:27
  Speaker 0: So I just want to pull back, because that is a really key part of this story And like we will fundamentally believe from What We've Seen In Afghanistan In Iraq Wars Do Not Help Takeaway Authoritarianism.
• 9:49
  Speaker 0: Twenty years of war didn't eradicate the Taliban.
• 9:53
  Speaker 0: And what we've seen in Iraq isn't a vision of freedom at this point either, right?
• 10:00
  Speaker 0: So really thinking about as people who not just want to see peace but who wants to see thriving like I genuinely want to See People In The Middle East being able To Not Just Have Dignity But Frive Without The Fear Of Violence It means we need to be more creative with how we're thinking about solutions.
• 10:22
  Speaker 0: And it really means that instead of always talking about the same broken leaders, We Need To Do A Better Job Of Uplifting The Voices Of Civil Society and People Who Are Actually At The Forefront Of Creating Transformation.
• 10:38
  Speaker 0: I know there are so many organizations across the Middle East who truly do heroic work uplifting more of.
• 10:49
  Speaker 0: The other thing I want folks to know is that over the past twenty years, there has also been a policy of collective punishment around Iran.
• 10:59
  Speaker 0: when you look at the context of sanctions.
• 11:02
  Speaker 0: Sanctions have become this word in any kind of foreign-policy context.
• 11:09
  Speaker 0: where things feel difficult—the answer tends to be sanctions.
• 11:14
  Speaker 0: And so often that is a policy of collective punishment, right?
• 11:18
  Speaker 0: The Iranian people have not chosen their government.
• 11:21
  Speaker 0: If anything they have spent longer than I've been breathing fighting for freedom and fighting for liberation... ...and yet consistently are punished for decisions that they have had no part in.
• 11:36
  Speaker 0: And now we have seen enough evidence, that sanctions don't actually aid people in liberation... They actually help consolidate authoritarianism!
• 11:45
  Speaker 0: They destroy middle classes, concentrate power and wealth.
• 11:51
  Speaker 0: Broad-based sanctions make a faratarian stronger —they don't help
• 11:57
  Speaker 0: movements.".
• 11:58
  Speaker 0: So that's the other big thing I wanted for you to pull out from today.
• 12:04
  Speaker 0: So like, when I try to reach my family right now there's an internet blackout in Iran.
• 12:12
  Speaker 0: it is actually really hard to contact people in Iran.
• 12:22
  Speaker 0: family in Iran right now.
• 12:24
  Speaker 0: And one of my asks was, don't ask about their families because for so many of us we don't know like being able to just get in touch with them right?
• 12:34
  Speaker 0: Now is really hard.
• 12:37
  Speaker 0: So people might be able to get through to their families once every few weeks if they're lucky.
• 12:44
  Speaker 0: and then I Know that when i've been out on a bout and People are like oh Are They okay?
• 12:50
  Speaker 0: If I say well they didn't die, people are like that's great.
• 12:54
  Speaker 0: And I'm actually want more than that for my family right?
• 12:58
  Speaker 0: Like them not being stuck in rubble is not the bar That i have For My Family.
• 13:05
  Speaker 0: Right and that Is Where The Context Of Sanctions Also Comes In.
• 13:09
  Speaker 0: .I Want People In Iran To Be Able to Access Medicine.
• 13:13
  Speaker 0: ,i Don't Want Folks To Be Like Struggling To Find Food & Others like all of the horrendousness of the Iranian regime, yes.
• 13:27
  Speaker 0: But also when you know a regime is terrible and you have a policy of broad-based sanctions You also know that you are telling people That they're going to suffer even though They had no part in it.
• 13:39
  Speaker 0: So I will just say things Are really hard.
• 13:43
  Speaker 0: this war The only thing i believe so far It has done Is really consolidate the iranian regime and led to horrendous outcomes.
• 13:54
  Speaker 0: I think it has made people in Iran less safe, It is making the U.S.
• 14:00
  Speaker 0: more safe as well And with that i'll hand back to you all.
• 14:10
  Speaker 0: Thank You so much for this very strong testimonial introduction that resonate, and maybe one thing I'm going to say.
• 14:33
  Speaker 0: It's like when you say we want to give people who are there in civil satiety a bigger voice.
• 14:38
  Speaker 0: this is exactly why we're doing the webinar so great that you here because it was important for us.
• 14:57
  Speaker 0: And I'm gonna go to our second testimonial from Amira, Amir Musalaam already introduced you at the beginning.
• 15:06
  Speaker 0: Amira are you here and able to speak because they see your muted on their cameras off?
• 15:17
  Speaker 0: If not we can also give him more time and we just change the order a bit.
• 15:27
  Speaker 0: Right so let's say where will give Amira some time and then continue with Sarit, who also introduced us from Sassim in Israel.
• 15:39
  Speaker 0: And Sarit please take the floor.
• 15:44
  Speaker 0: Thank you so much for inviting me.
• 15:48
  Speaker 0: thank you Sarah for your words.
• 15:52
  Speaker 0: they already gave me power.
• 15:53
  Speaker 0: this is amazing!
• 15:58
  Speaker 0: I'm very honoured to be here and exactly like Sarah said, Sara said.
• 16:05
  Speaker 0: I wish it was better circumstances but i am happy about this conversation and a little bit nervous And I want to share an anecdote To explain why.
• 16:19
  Speaker 0: So we sent from Zazim an invitation for these call And many people started registering, made us very happy.
• 16:29
  Speaker 0: Thank you all for coming!
• 16:31
  Speaker 0: But we have few animated responses to this call and they were of two kinds.
• 16:37
  Speaker 0: One kind said Why are you only going to talk about other nations?
• 16:44
  Speaker 0: Not the suffering that we're going through in Israel with these governments, missiles etc... This is one I didn't even utter a word.
• 16:53
  Speaker 0: The other response was, why are you not going to mention what Israel is inflicting on the area and only talk about Israelis and their suffering?
• 17:06
  Speaker 0: This government isn't inflicting this horrible thing.
• 17:08
  Speaker 0: Okay so we had these two completely different responses.
• 17:14
  Speaker 0: um then I didn't have to say anything and i felt...I understand them both.
• 17:20
  Speaker 0: if I had to give a title for Israel at the moment it comes from this anecdote The ectomy.
• 17:28
  Speaker 0: Israel is extremely polarized at the moment, there's a lot of stress that has been happening for something like seven years.
• 17:34
  Speaker 0: I mean this war we are talking about.
• 17:38
  Speaker 0: in fact it does not happen in an void Of course.
• 17:42
  Speaker 0: So as this polarized society between you're with us or against those kind of feelings That i can relate to and understand where feeling comes from but don't think they come form bad place.
• 17:56
  Speaker 0: But I do want to use this conversation.
• 17:59
  Speaker 0: To try and challenge these dichotomy a little bit, And maybe it's ambitious but they won't hold the stick in both ends.
• 18:10
  Speaker 0: Let see if i manage actually.
• 18:17
  Speaker 0: So as Max generously presented me, I have been a part of civil society in Israel for the best part of twelve years.
• 18:25
  Speaker 0: And they've worked in human rights organization and I have worked in mobilizing for voting organizations to try take the Netanyahu... To replace the Netanyaahu with government or regime-I don't know what word should say!
• 18:41
  Speaker 0: I was part of a feminist organization.
• 18:43
  Speaker 0: now i work at Zazim as a deputy.
• 18:50
  Speaker 0: So, A big part of my life is dedicated for while now to changing Israel.
• 18:56
  Speaker 0: the better.
• 18:56
  Speaker 0: that's something they do but funnily enough not surprisingly maybe My relationship with Israel is dichotomy Because a part of me wants to be apart from change and do all the things that I do.
• 19:13
  Speaker 0: It's at least what i'm proud of, it is not short list And part of my want to run away.
• 19:23
  Speaker 0: This also happens As I ran with my eight-and-a-half year old To my neighbor's shelter because we don't have shelter as third of Israel doesn't has a shelter at night when sirens are in the air and you hear explosions.
• 19:45
  Speaker 0: It's not a long run to my neighbor's shelter, I have such generous neighbors...I'm very lucky that way but still it is night!
• 19:56
  Speaker 0: You know?
• 19:58
  Speaker 0: And we ran there quickly.
• 19:59
  Speaker 0: We had this amount of time for a minute-and-a half.
• 20:05
  Speaker 0: I can't help feeling basically failed him as a mother.
• 20:10
  Speaker 0: I think Sarah, mentioned it at the beginning of her talk... I failed not because i did anything but in not being able to stop this experience from his childhood and its not even an experience for one time.
• 20:29
  Speaker 0: so several times.
• 20:30
  Speaker 0: And so we run to my neighbor, and really I have the best neighbors.
• 20:34
  Speaker 0: I don't think anybody in the world has a neighbor like ours!
• 20:36
  Speaker 0: We sit there with their family... ...and the kids.. ..and the grandkids….
• 20:40
  Speaker 0: …and the dog – and I come with my family– and everybody close the door and let go of me heart.
• 20:48
  Speaker 0: I can start breathing again.
• 20:52
  Speaker 0: As I put a blanket over myself as it is warm again, I'm lucky compared to others.
• 21:02
  Speaker 0: Other people, for example Arabs in Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel have zero point three percent of all shelters.
• 21:11
  Speaker 0: There are a fifth of the population in Gaza and the West Bank that is still under Israeli control.
• 21:21
  Speaker 0: there's programs.
• 21:25
  Speaker 0: they don't want to take her testimonials but this what I know.
• 21:32
  Speaker 0: Not all countries have a defense like Israel has.
• 21:36
  Speaker 0: I'm lucky, this is what they think to myself in the shelter with my son and the middle of the
• 21:43
  Speaker 0: night.".
• 21:44
  Speaker 0: And then something else rebells.
• 21:45
  Speaker 0: it says What kind of luck he's this?
• 21:47
  Speaker 0: Again, so I prepared these while ago but as you were speaking how your words resonated.
• 21:54
  Speaker 0: I want more, and don't want this to be the norm of it.
• 22:00
  Speaker 0: And i dont'want THIS TO BE LUCKY!
• 22:02
  Speaker 0: Okay?
• 22:03
  Speaker 0: I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT HAS A HORIZON AND A PLASE WHEN SOMEBODY, WHEN I CAN THRIVE IN A PLEASE WHERE I DON'T HAVE TO REALLY STRUGGLE IN ORDER TO TEACH MY SON COMPASSION TO OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE THE PLACE HE LIVES IN IS SO POLARIZED AND SO TENT.
• 22:26
  Speaker 0: Like the people who wrote to us about this talk, between wanting to stay and wanting to run.
• 22:33
  Speaker 0: And obviously I stay... ...I worry about this war not only when it actually goes on but i worry about the reasons behind this war.
• 22:51
  Speaker 0: Other me?
• 22:52
  Speaker 0: I had to write notes because its such a complex subject then deeply felt.
• 23:01
  Speaker 0: From two thousand and nineteen, our prime minister has stood the criminal trial.
• 23:06
  Speaker 0: Since then he's done many things to make sure that he stays in power and can influence his tribe but one of them was... To use the far-far rights in Israel And bring it into power positions In Israel Police for example.
• 23:29
  Speaker 0: This kind of a combination makes one feel, as I sit in the shelter that there are reasons for this war and not reason to take into account any citizens.
• 23:41
  Speaker 0: Not the citizens of the area which we should take even his own citizens.
• 23:46
  Speaker 0: It seems like interests are extremely personal Extremely narrow or at other hand extremely messianic and ideological in a way that is scary.
• 24:00
  Speaker 0: War helps him Helps his government and definitely helps the far right.
• 24:10
  Speaker 0: The Far Right sees it as a miracle, they say so!
• 24:13
  Speaker 0: It is time of miracles.
• 24:14
  Speaker 0: this war and bloodshed everywhere including Gaza Including October seventh at Time of Miracle War strengthens gives them strength and weakens us.
• 24:29
  Speaker 0: because although Israel has shown inspiring power demonstrating Since two thousand and nineteen we have seen thousands, hundreds of thousands in the streets.
• 24:41
  Speaker 0: In the rain...in heat!
• 24:45
  Speaker 0: And many conditions were very difficult.
• 24:49
  Speaker 0: but it has been seven years since there is a lack accountability for our government which makes this hard As one runs to, I spoke with a friend the other day and she said... War weakens the ability to resist.
• 25:26
  Speaker 0: It won't break us, but it is definitely a challenge.
• 25:34
  Speaker 0: I don't want to end in dark note although i do think these are dark times But they will say something that's weirdly optimistic.
• 25:44
  Speaker 0: You'll understand why.
• 25:45
  Speaker 0: weirdly soon So Bibi said and Netanyahu said war And two seconds after that Millions are affected right?
• 25:56
  Speaker 0: Then Trump says no war Done, I'm done.
• 25:59
  Speaker 0: I am done playing this and suddenly quiet at these moments where definitely one can feel helpless also reminded me against our sorry you said it first but i want to echo what you say war is a war and peace are both decisions.
• 26:21
  Speaker 0: they're both decision of people.
• 26:23
  Speaker 0: If somebody like Netanyahu can decide that there is war and there isn't, then somebody like Trump can stop it in an hour.
• 26:31
  Speaker 0: Okay?
• 26:32
  Speaker 0: This a good moment to remember... That both of them are our choice!
• 26:38
  Speaker 0: And this means we do have the power to change that.
• 26:43
  Speaker 0: To have future stable with horizon where maybe we could visit each other.
• 26:49
  Speaker 0: We even had example, Egypt or Jordan.
• 26:52
  Speaker 0: Peace works.
• 26:54
  Speaker 0: And with that, I turn you back to Max.
• 27:02
  Speaker 0: Thank-you so much for sharing this and ending it in hope!
• 27:09
  Speaker 0: Ever my sons are on nine or six?
• 27:12
  Speaker 0: You know...I can't really imagine how they must feel like what you described.
• 27:18
  Speaker 0: So its really horrifying but still amazing hope that you described.
• 27:26
  Speaker 0: So thank you for sharing that and we will speak about more also geopolitics at the end of it, but as you said I just want to post The New York Times article actually on how this decision came between Netanyahu and Trump.
• 27:47
  Speaker 0: Also when we speak more about the geopolitics of things, how this actually came about and what was the driving force behind it.
• 27:56
  Speaker 0: It's not a piece but never about regime change or peace anything.
• 28:02
  Speaker 0: so that is very clear.
• 28:04
  Speaker 0: I'm just going to share this here.
• 28:06
  Speaker 0: then we'll send it over as well.
• 28:09
  Speaker 0: And now Amira nice too see you in here as well.
• 28:16
  Speaker 0: Okay, I already introduced you at the beginning which is going to repeat quickly in a short form for people that joined a bit later.
• 28:24
  Speaker 0: Amira Moussalam, Palestinian Christian Peace Activist and Head of Mission and Co-Founder of Unarmed Civilian Protection in Palestine has had many other roles she worked on.
• 28:37
  Speaker 0: so Amirah it's great.
• 28:43
  Speaker 0: Yes, say good evening everyone.
• 28:45
  Speaker 0: My name is Amira I'm from Baslehem It was born in Basleheme it's raised in Baslehem and now sitting at Baslehm And actually iIwas a little bit late for entering the webinar and also confused with time but just came back From giving... I don't like to call it lecture because its not..it was conversation of fifty students Israeli students who are going next year to the IDF, they're in the Preparatory Year.
• 29:21
  Speaker 0: The Mechina, They call it.
• 29:23
  Speaker 0: and they called me...they called me to talk to hear.
• 29:28
  Speaker 0: what does that mean?
• 29:28
  Speaker 0: To be a Palestinian from you know.
• 29:33
  Speaker 0: And It was an very interesting conversation to speak with a seventeen years old who has never seen Palestinian only on TV, uh...on their TV where they will see us as terrorists and um.. They would not see anything else.
• 29:51
  Speaker 0: And when they saw me actually-they were surprised to see me for example without hijab you know a woman speaking up even smoking the cigarette.
• 30:01
  Speaker 0: that was shocking for them because they don't know The wall, the apartheid wall that was built in two thousand one.
• 30:12
  Speaker 0: It wasn't for security.
• 30:13
  Speaker 0: it was to feed the fear of the two peoples and especially on Israel's side where they are telling them we're at this site a terrorist.
• 30:25
  Speaker 0: And I was speaking about my personal story which i will share with you When I was twelve years old from here where I am sitting now.
• 30:40
  Speaker 0: It was a vacation day, here in Palestine.
• 30:44
  Speaker 0: it's the fifteenth of November and we call it The Independence Day And We Celebrated Even.
• 30:50
  Speaker 0: We Are Not Independent!
• 30:53
  Speaker 0: It is something that has to do with Palestinian Authority and Fatah hands-on... ...and I was twelve years old.
• 31:01
  Speaker 0: i was studying an Arabic exam..it was six o'clock on afternoon when we heard some bullets very close to our house.
• 31:12
  Speaker 0: Ten minutes after, ten minutes later... We hear rockets like bombs from the nearby settlement which is Gilot.
• 31:22
  Speaker 0: It's around two kilos up here on top of a hill and I'm living down in the valley.
• 31:29
  Speaker 0: I ran into the house, my dad with two sisters Jessica who was six years old.
• 31:37
  Speaker 0: My genome is sixteen back then and we tried to find the safest spot in the House And We had been one place where without it was safe.
• 31:50
  Speaker 0: My mom got stuck because she wasn't at work but She didn't accept to stay away And she said, you know I have to risk it.I Have To Be With My Family and She Risked It All.
• 32:04
  Speaker 0: Even There Was Like Bombing Everywhere In The Street But She Made It Through To The House.
• 32:11
  Speaker 0: That Night Was The Night That Changed Everything For Me As A Twelve Years Old Girl Who Lived Let's Not Say A Normal Life Childhood but a good childhood where I experienced to go with our own car, Haifa and Akko and Tel Aviv and Yaffa.
• 32:37
  Speaker 0: And having Israeli friends inviting them into our house they would come we would go to them.
• 32:43
  Speaker 0: i used to play even in the settlement nearby is to play In The Parks With The Children There!
• 32:49
  Speaker 0: It was for A Child Like Me.
• 32:51
  Speaker 0: it Was A Beautiful Life Nothing Wrong I Didn't Understand.
• 32:54
  Speaker 0: Back Then Israel Palestine story.
• 32:58
  Speaker 0: But that night, I got like really shocked because That's the night where The kids who i used to play with my friends Who?
• 33:07
  Speaker 0: didn't understand word they say said Because They Used To Speak in Hebrew and Don't Speak Hebrew.
• 33:13
  Speaker 0: Became My Enemy Suddenly And They Were Trying To Kill Me and My Family By Throwing Bombs On Our House From The Tanks In The Settlement.
• 33:25
  Speaker 0: We tried to hide until some small rockets and bullets came in where we were hiding, so it needed to escape.
• 33:35
  Speaker 0: The first thing that came into our mind was an ambulance... ...where we thought the ambulance could access this area and get us out.
• 33:41
  Speaker 0: but there's a man on the phone who remembers his voice.
• 33:44
  Speaker 0: He said sorry ma'am!
• 33:46
  Speaker 0: We cannot access these areas because they are targeting our
• 33:48
  Speaker 0: cars.".
• 33:50
  Speaker 0: I have a second citizenship.
• 33:56
  Speaker 0: I never lived in the States, but I got it from my parents who lived for few years in the states and we called The Embassy because that's what your embassy should do.
• 34:05
  Speaker 0: you know.
• 34:06
  Speaker 0: help get out of any kind of danger?
• 34:09
  Speaker 0: American Embassy was very honest.
• 34:12
  Speaker 0: You are Palestinian.
• 34:14
  Speaker 0: We cannot help you if you were in let's say India and they could hang the phone.
• 34:23
  Speaker 0: And, but only thing that we had is pray because you couldn't escape house.
• 34:30
  Speaker 0: then my our neighbors who are next to us as told by my dad it's not very exposed there was a big gates between us and them which worked on electricity.
• 34:52
  Speaker 0: So my dad again risked it.
• 34:54
  Speaker 0: He went out, we waited for him on the side of the house with our blankets because it was November and cold a little bit.
• 35:02
  Speaker 0: And he went to that gate With our neighbor who's an older woman.
• 35:07
  Speaker 0: She was carrying Saint Nicholas picture Because she believes he makes miracles talking about miracles and they try To make you know open their gates For us too.
• 35:20
  Speaker 0: pass Great, thank God.
• 35:23
  Speaker 0: We passed carrying a white child telling the helicopters which were above our heads that we are civilians and peaceful like hey look at us.
• 35:34
  Speaker 0: because on that same night German doctor Dr Fischer who was my neighbor married to Palestinian woman he was bombed from helicopter trying help because they thought he was a terrorist or whatever.
• 35:55
  Speaker 0: So I spent that night, twelve hours with my family praying.
• 36:01
  Speaker 0: every time we saw the bombs coming out from the helicopter you would see the light coming out.
• 36:09
  Speaker 0: and then it's like in front of me over Bejala view And the light comes out of the missile, you know?
• 36:22
  Speaker 0: It was like shh.
• 36:24
  Speaker 0: And then... You fly!
• 36:26
  Speaker 0: You fly from ground up there and fall down again from impact.
• 36:31
  Speaker 0: They shot around four missiles from helicopter.
• 36:35
  Speaker 0: Thank God nothing happened to us.
• 36:37
  Speaker 0: it wasn't even on our house On our neighbor's house where twenty seven people were hiding The next day.
• 36:48
  Speaker 0: most horrifying thing I saw in my life was cats and dogs eating human flesh.
• 36:55
  Speaker 0: It was our neighbor who was embalmed from a missile, And even with all of that... Even I was twelve years old living in the Christian family believing in Jesus' teaching.
• 37:13
  Speaker 0: I didn't accept to be on the road of hating and revenge.
• 37:23
  Speaker 0: Since that moment, even as a little girl I believe that violence brings more violence.
• 37:29
  Speaker 0: Blood brings more blood and it's an ever-ending cycle.
• 37:34
  Speaker 0: And there should be another way.
• 37:37
  Speaker 0: You...I don't know exactly the way because if we knew what?
• 37:42
  Speaker 0: We could all will all be working for it but small steps Uh..we could change this step school.
• 37:49
  Speaker 0: We could change the suffering For all of us here.
• 37:55
  Speaker 0: Yeah, and then I worked for so many years like different organizations.
• 38:01
  Speaker 0: And I attended all kinds of peace meetings with Israelis to talk about coexistence.
• 38:09
  Speaker 0: but you know what?
• 38:12
  Speaker 0: We don't have a problem who coexists our problems could not coexistent.
• 38:17
  Speaker 0: Our problem is stop these governments from feeding the fear in us and stop the governments from rehumanizing us.
• 38:31
  Speaker 0: And allow people to just understand that we are just normal people who want to live in freedom inequality, you name all of things that we want?
• 38:46
  Speaker 0: That brought me all the way to my work.
• 38:49
  Speaker 0: now Give me one minute to give space for everyone.
• 38:55
  Speaker 0: And that brought me now, to co-found what we call unarmed civilian protection in Palestine which is an initiative that is Palestinian led.
• 39:09
  Speaker 0: where we do protective presence We go and do twenty four seven protective presents For the communities who are being attacked by back state Settler violence, and we have been in the field since last July.
• 39:28
  Speaker 0: And we do accompaniment, we do twenty four seven protective presence.
• 39:34
  Speaker 0: We stay with communities, share their sorrows, happy times even weddings.
• 39:44
  Speaker 0: Even if not able to stop the ethnic cleansing of these communities, we are there with them crying when time comes.
• 39:58
  Speaker 0: So yeah thank you for now!
• 40:06
  Speaker 0: Thank you so much also for sharing that.
• 40:09
  Speaker 0: as I promised i'm handing over to Amelie.
• 40:22
  Speaker 0: Let us know what the big questions are from the audience.
• 40:26
  Speaker 0: Yes indeed, thank you very much!
• 40:28
  Speaker 0: Yeah there's a lot of interest in a variety of topics and I think i would start with a question about Iran so giving it to Sarah.
• 40:39
  Speaker 0: how many different factions or ideas do you see within the Iranian community?
• 40:46
  Speaker 0: So, um... The question asked for example.
• 40:48
  Speaker 0: Do you distinguish between left-wingers and communists on how these different opposition parties then work together against the
• 40:57
  Speaker 0: regime?".
• 41:06
  Speaker 0: Iran has a huge population.
• 41:08
  Speaker 0: It is not a monolith and there are a wide variety of different political opinions.
• 41:16
  Speaker 0: And again, this the story of tragedy and hope in Iran.
• 41:23
  Speaker 0: like People change makers from all kinds of different walks of life have been systematically Like imprisoned executed sidelined etc, for longer than I've been alive.
• 41:40
  Speaker 0: Right?
• 41:41
  Speaker 0: And from before this regime right the Shah before then did a lot of work to destroy various leftist movements as well and i think that's an important thing to remember as part of some of this dialogue that is happening.
• 42:00
  Speaker 0: For me like It is less about thinking about the different factions of change inside Iran.
• 42:07
  Speaker 0: And like one thing I think that Is a story not told, it's that A lot of times when civil society in Iran has been on The cusp Of Change ,it Has actually Been Foreign Intervention That Has Stopped It.
• 42:23
  Speaker 0: So alot people don't know About the CIAs coup In the nineteen fifties.
• 42:28
  Speaker 0: so Iranians elected had a democratically elected president who decided to nationalize oil fields.
• 42:36
  Speaker 0: And then the CIA had a coup and helped reinstate the Shah, right?
• 42:41
  Speaker 0: So there's been like a very long tradition of imperialism and colonialism in Iran as well.
• 42:51
  Speaker 0: Right now the question for me is how can you create more space people in Iran to be able to communicate outside of the country.
• 43:03
  Speaker 0: Again, the current internet shutdown is one of the longest that has ever happened and then the country was really stopping it.
• 43:11
  Speaker 0: but also Amir Ansari did a beautiful job.
• 43:16
  Speaker 0: explaining violence makes it so much harder for civil society to operate when you have consistent wars or policies of collective punishment.
• 43:29
  Speaker 0: that has also helped destroy so much of civil society in Iran.
• 43:34
  Speaker 0: We've seen more executions happening over the last few weeks because now, the Iranian government is using the war as an excuse to detain execute anyone who disagrees with it.
• 43:48
  Speaker 0: So for me its less around like pick up faction and more about how do you create a larger surface area?
• 43:56
  Speaker 0: for people to be able, even talk about what a future they want looks like.
• 44:04
  Speaker 0: Thank you so much for that answer and I think we talked a bit about how war is often the decision made top-down.
• 44:13
  Speaker 0: it's not a decision made by the people who don't want the world global leaders may decide day one.
• 44:20
  Speaker 0: another question from Katharina How much support is there within Israeli society for the wars in Gaza and Iran?
• 44:29
  Speaker 0: Is it like, you know, Netanyahu's desire to remain a power as you said.
• 44:34
  Speaker 0: And then connected with that question maybe I don't if have any predictions of upcoming elections this year What do think are the impact on policies?
• 44:50
  Speaker 0: Good questions.
• 44:55
  Speaker 0: So yeah, dichotomy.
• 45:06
  Speaker 0: There is a lot of support for Netanyahu.
• 45:10
  Speaker 0: he's not in power without supports.
• 45:12
  Speaker 0: this isn't the case with him as popular leader.
• 45:16
  Speaker 0: there also very strong opposition to him.
• 45:20
  Speaker 0: The Poles don't look good right now, but when we say the Poles Don't Look Good.
• 45:24
  Speaker 0: We don't mean that there are one million people who always will go with him or have changed?
• 45:28
  Speaker 0: That's not changed!
• 45:30
  Speaker 0: It did Not Grow But it Did Not Change.
• 45:34
  Speaker 0: I would say something about war... I was debating if i was going to stay here because of a bit complex but they think their dialogue is really nuanced.
• 45:43
  Speaker 0: so I'll dare and say it.
• 45:46
  Speaker 0: If Amira Is Talking To IDF People in the Machina There is a reason why soldiers are drafted when they're eighteen.
• 45:59
  Speaker 0: Okay, there's the reason!
• 46:01
  Speaker 0: It's not because it's... The point in life where you were the smartest?
• 46:04
  Speaker 0: Where do make best decisions?
• 46:06
  Speaker 0: When get everything
• 46:08
  Speaker 0: etc.?
• 46:12
  Speaker 0: and extremely vibrant, and fragile when it comes to the ability to predict what your deeds mean for you life or what they means to another.
• 46:26
  Speaker 0: I would use harsher words but yes there is a reason that armies are not made of older people etc... this is the reason!
• 46:34
  Speaker 0: They pick people who just finished childhood.
• 46:37
  Speaker 0: if so Okay, I remember myself eighteen.
• 46:40
  Speaker 0: Yes?
• 46:41
  Speaker 0: I was eighteen as well...I know how it feels!
• 46:45
  Speaker 0: So that's one thing.
• 46:47
  Speaker 0: so of course the some kind of excitement about the army is very widespread in Israel and there's a draft in Israel.
• 46:57
  Speaker 0: It's obligatory..it something you are being prompt to do And you really need to work against it because It is honored.
• 47:05
  Speaker 0: Everybody's children, everybody's cousins and everybody's fathers!
• 47:09
  Speaker 0: It isn't something that is considered a profession or anything like this.
• 47:17
  Speaker 0: We do see... This happened more than once in the last few years.
• 47:22
  Speaker 0: That when war was being initiated Not only the right goes with this, there's some kind of patriotism that is militant in Israeli society.
• 47:39
  Speaker 0: That will not say no to the idea for The most part.
• 47:45
  Speaker 0: I don't want to say everybody but i do think This happens For the most part?
• 47:49
  Speaker 0: I Think slowly because they interest are becoming so obvious and so narrow we have begin.
• 47:55
  Speaker 0: We began To hear talks about Refusing in the last three years that are more widespread.
• 48:06
  Speaker 0: We at ZIM had a whole campaign calling on people to refuse the war in Gaza, so yeah I'm sorry i don't have it finalized...I do think this support does has cracks but IDF is an institution and You know, all the leaders come from it.
• 48:32
  Speaker 0: So opposing is hard and I think government knows that.
• 48:37
  Speaker 0: It's almost treason to say something bad about IDF in Israel And i don't mean you will be sued.
• 48:44
  Speaker 0: I mean socially...it is very costly.
• 48:51
  Speaker 0: Yes indeed thankyou Amira.
• 48:54
  Speaker 0: do u wanna add anything?
• 48:56
  Speaker 0: Maybe also some of your talks with people preparing for IDF.
• 49:01
  Speaker 0: Yes.
• 49:03
  Speaker 0: You know, these kids as Sarit said... These kids are seventeen years old, eighteen years old now preparing for the IDF and all what they know is that they're going to the Army.
• 49:17
  Speaker 0: They don't care about what the army does or what their system is for now in this moment, like in this age.
• 49:28
  Speaker 0: They are so excited they think that you know IDF is freedom.
• 49:32
  Speaker 0: You're going to live outside of your parents house and it's fun.
• 49:39
  Speaker 0: Then the problem comes but like in that moment And a lot of these kids who I met today?
• 49:45
  Speaker 0: They were more open because asking questions meeting different organizations And even like breaking the silence, who are an important organization was exposing to IDF.
• 50:00
  Speaker 0: So for example tomorrow they're meeting with them.
• 50:02
  Speaker 0: so they aren't doing that knowledge and they are going in searching for all these questions and answers.
• 50:09
  Speaker 0: but again as said it's sad.
• 50:12
  Speaker 0: there is something more powerful than just a decision I want to make at eighteen.
• 50:18
  Speaker 0: its the whole system my family, my cousins and friends.
• 50:22
  Speaker 0: If I don't go to the IDF—I'm talking like in their tongue—if they didn't go there... The community that are living here will abandon them or hate them because maybe it won't include any of those social activities.
• 50:38
  Speaker 0: And for an eighteen years old?
• 50:40
  Speaker 0: Of course not!
• 50:43
  Speaker 0: Then if you refuse then you'll go jail.
• 50:46
  Speaker 0: An eighteen-year-old is not even allowed ready to join one year of jail because he's refusing an IDF.
• 50:55
  Speaker 0: You know, so it is a complex situation and I think that doesn't start at age eighteen It starts much younger than that.
• 51:07
  Speaker 0: The whole education system the different schools they go into the different synagogues They go through depends on who you listen.
• 51:18
  Speaker 0: So it's very complex.
• 51:20
  Speaker 0: And I think the solution and way out of this is not the governments, The government are benefiting from this conflict on your side for example Sarit its BB Nantaniya who was running from the court.
• 51:36
  Speaker 0: On our side their leaders are benefitting financially from this whole conflict.
• 51:40
  Speaker 0: Why do to end if they're benefiting?
• 51:46
  Speaker 0: Thank you Thank you very much, Amira.
• 51:51
  Speaker 0: I want to read out one question.
• 51:53
  Speaker 0: that's not really a question but it sums up what a lot of people in this call might also be feeling and an anonymous comment said after these three profound personal statements i can't think anything else because everything seems trivial in comparison And I just wanted to echo those because we're grateful for your opening-up Yeah, because I think like myself many other people probably also haven't you know heard directly from from people involved yet.
• 52:24
  Speaker 0: So yeah just thank you very much again.
• 52:29
  Speaker 0: and one question.
• 52:29
  Speaker 0: it was something.
• 52:30
  Speaker 0: um i think Sarah mentioned in the beginning about sanctions and sanctions working or not working?
• 52:38
  Speaker 0: And we have quite a few questions on that for example from Zaskia.
• 52:42
  Speaker 0: So if you say sanctions don't work, what other tools are there for governments to put pressure?
• 52:49
  Speaker 0: For example on the Iranian regime or... There's also other questions about possible solutions for the conflict that aren't sanctions then and maybe they can be brought by civil society.
• 53:01
  Speaker 0: so all three of you have any thoughts in this?
• 53:04
  Speaker 0: yeah feel free too give your thoughts.
• 53:08
  Speaker 0: One nuance I want to say here Targeted sanctions I think can be effective, right?
• 53:15
  Speaker 0: So like if there's particular judges in Iran that are saying yes to executing protesters they should a hundred percent be sanctioned and we should make sure that they can't.
• 53:28
  Speaker 0: There should be international accountability for that.
• 53:31
  Speaker 0: What i'm saying doesn't work.
• 53:32
  Speaker 0: is broad-based sanctions Right, so like when you're sanctioning entire banking systems and then people are like sanctioning things where but people then can't access food or medicine.
• 53:45
  Speaker 0: That's where things start collapsing right?
• 53:48
  Speaker 0: And then to me it's how do you create more space for people to thrive?
• 53:55
  Speaker 0: right?
• 53:56
  Speaker 0: So it's like, how can you actually make it safer for more people-to-people exchanges coming to Iran?
• 54:03
  Speaker 0: How do we get better internet infrastructure and support more Internet freedom in Iran.
• 54:09
  Speaker 0: And there is again... There has been these technical carveouts of technology a long time but they don't work because the technology companies are like why would I go anywhere near this if i dont have to Right.
• 54:24
  Speaker 0: So it's looking at things like that, right?
• 54:29
  Speaker 0: What are the policy solutions that help more communication, That helps people have greater economic access and helped more shared understanding to get a huge dehumanization problem we have now.
• 54:53
  Speaker 0: I would like to add about sanctions.
• 54:56
  Speaker 0: We tried sanctions in Palestine, especially the past few years with settlers and many countries did sanctions on settlers.
• 55:07
  Speaker 0: The problem is those settlers are individuals.
• 55:12
  Speaker 0: so even if you sanction an individual it's easy for another person get money he can't access a bank.
• 55:21
  Speaker 0: I think, Sarah.
• 55:22
  Speaker 0: I agree with you on sanctions should go bigger than only targeting individuals or small organization or a small company.
• 55:33
  Speaker 0: it should go bigger.
• 55:35
  Speaker 0: for example and i will give this just an example uh For example the other day we had um...I gave a brief in the house representative of United States about bulldozers that are used to demolish homes in the West Bank and in Gaza, of course what we saw.
• 55:57
  Speaker 0: And for the first time in history after they heard the stories on these politicians is seventy out of seventy.
• 56:09
  Speaker 0: four votes or I'm confused with a number but like very high number of votes from their house representative voted to stop sending these bulldozers to Israel.
• 56:25
  Speaker 0: And this something like, This helps and even if a decision came out for sanctions or this big company I don't want say names but it could hurt more than just sanctioning the person Or small organization It should go bigger Those who are feeding the war, who are benefiting out of the world whether it's companies.
• 56:52
  Speaker 0: Whether its high tech or banks.
• 56:55
  Speaker 0: but like big names I'm not talking about small local ones that are benefitting from our suffering in three countries.
• 57:11
  Speaker 0: Yeah i think this is an excellent debate.
• 57:14
  Speaker 0: actually There are many tools to try and make the world better that they're non-violent.
• 57:23
  Speaker 0: And some, like every tool if you use it wrong or you aim in the wrong might do damage like you say denying healthcare, denying internet deny
• 57:37
  Speaker 0: etc.,
• 57:39
  Speaker 0: on the other hand I completely see what Amira is saying And I remember this in another context.
• 57:46
  Speaker 0: He didn't speak about it now, but one of the things that our government... That Netanyahu is doing to run away from his trial like you said beautifully and to the point Is trying what's left of a judicial branch in Israel.
• 58:07
  Speaker 0: So we saw People being at some part, people being afraid of investing in Israel because it became unstable.
• 58:16
  Speaker 0: We had demonstrations and the Occasional War or whatever... And the high tech was very scared.
• 58:24
  Speaker 0: this is a lot interviews A lot of interviews in Israel has something to do with Israeli identity High Tech Nation kind I think an identity thing as well.
• 58:36
  Speaker 0: I think it did scare people, and it did slow them down a little bit at first.
• 58:40
  Speaker 0: I do think that is true... ...I DO THINK THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY.
• 58:46
  Speaker 0: IT CANNOT WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CITIZENS.
• 58:51
  Speaker 0: Sanctions work when they care about the country!
• 58:58
  Speaker 0: They have to be A LITTLE BIT IN A PLACE OF ACCOUNTABILITY When their accountability is lacking completely.
• 59:05
  Speaker 0: I agree that it will do nothing but damage.
• 59:30
  Speaker 0: gone over into the second part of the webinar that we were planning anyway, so... That's really good.
• 59:36
  Speaker 0: So also for the Slido Q&A we're going to switch to the second page and send a link again in the chat.
• 59:44
  Speaker 0: Yeah there is more question about the geopolitical context.
• 59:48
  Speaker 0: Of course this isn't happening within a vacuum I think you know.
• 59:51
  Speaker 0: We've made it very clear.
• 59:54
  Speaker 0: For example, one of the questions by Bob... I don't know.
• 59:58
  Speaker 0: It's specifically for Miran if you're there.
• 1:00:01
  Speaker 0: yeah okay perfect.
• 1:00:03
  Speaker 0: and he asks would you talk about what is happening as Palestine begins to prepare for the national wide elections?
• 1:00:11
  Speaker 0: The first ones in more than fifteen years?
• 1:00:13
  Speaker 0: so do you think it's part of the process that has been done openly fairly and transparently You know, who will be out for vote?
• 1:00:24
  Speaker 0: What are the options?
• 1:00:25
  Speaker 0: or how do you see
• 1:00:26
  Speaker 0: it?".
• 1:00:27
  Speaker 0: Yes.
• 1:00:30
  Speaker 0: Honestly, elections if they happen because we have been saying that they would happen and then there canceled them so on... If they happened I hope-I wish like every citizen of the world They wished from their country to have decent people you know, going to the elections instead of the same faces that we have been seeing for the past thirty years or since the nineties.
• 1:01:03
  Speaker 0: And people who cared about Palestine?
• 1:01:06
  Speaker 0: About the future of Palestine... The process will be decent and visible and transparent.
• 1:01:17
  Speaker 0: It's not like we have corruption, so on.
• 1:01:19
  Speaker 0: in these events our problem even if this new faces won or got to the elections We had a big problem which is Israel Our government And I'm not sure If everybody was aware But the Palestinian Authority our government cannot move the glass from here to here without the blessing or permission of Israel.
• 1:01:54
  Speaker 0: So even if we do best elections in the world, the best everything... We have the best leader who leads us now on!
• 1:02:02
  Speaker 0: It doesn't change that Israel has a key for solving all our problems.
• 1:02:10
  Speaker 0: They control everything the air that we are breathing now, right now.
• 1:02:17
  Speaker 0: So what do you expect from elections under occupation?
• 1:02:27
  Speaker 0: It's just even if it will be perfect... We don't see anything change at end of day.
• 1:02:36
  Speaker 0: for me as Amira and Palestinian and American citizen I am banned by Israel to go to Jerusalem, to pray in the church because they have the keys.
• 1:02:48
  Speaker 0: They can't tell us what or not do it.
• 1:02:52
  Speaker 0: If i speak too much...they will put me into jail.
• 1:02:57
  Speaker 0: So if you go to jail God knows what would happen.
• 1:03:02
  Speaker 0: And so let's focus on you know, the roots of our problem here.
• 1:03:14
  Speaker 0: The occupation.
• 1:03:20
  Speaker 0: Thank You very much Amira and I think if it's fine for everyone instead of giving you three to five minutes We would just continue asking questions because there are so many.
• 1:03:33
  Speaker 0: So um i think There is a lot Of interest especially from And we have A lot German people hear a lot of different European nationalities as well.
• 1:03:45
  Speaker 0: And one of the questions is essentially what can we do from outside?
• 1:03:51
  Speaker 0: So, you know it's very difficult also especially in Iran fighting both on the outside and inside.
• 1:03:57
  Speaker 0: It has two front situations too.
• 1:04:01
  Speaker 0: Essentially what can civil society outside of Iran or Palestine do?
• 1:04:08
  Speaker 0: And yeah, to help the peace movements in your countries.
• 1:04:12
  Speaker 0: I think that's a question for everyone.
• 1:04:17
  Speaker 0: So if you want start again or... Amira?
• 1:04:21
  Speaker 0: You start this time and actually because this question is asked all of these webinars like what can we do how can we have?
• 1:04:36
  Speaker 0: mostly I normally speak with American audience but i was very happy And I prepared like, you know some notes and I will read it for you because i wanted really to give you practical things.
• 1:04:56
  Speaker 0: So first of all by coming into this webinar You are on your first steps To helping the three countries in help do something.
• 1:05:11
  Speaker 0: so By listening those directly affected amplifying real voices from the ground, who often others speak for us while those living in reality are ignored.
• 1:05:23
  Speaker 0: Second by asking European institutions to be consistent with the values they promote.
• 1:05:29
  Speaker 0: human rights dignity democracy and rule of law must apply equally everyone.
• 1:05:37
  Speaker 0: Third By supporting organizations doing real work And I know that everybody needs you know, a support.
• 1:05:45
  Speaker 0: All the NGOs in the world need support and especially with all financial crisis around the world that wars and so on.
• 1:05:54
  Speaker 0: but You don't have to donate money.
• 1:05:58
  Speaker 0: You can do kind of work and support trauma support legal advocacy non-violent civilian protection And of course grassroots peace building.
• 1:06:10
  Speaker 0: Fourth by challenging anti-Semitism Islamophobia, racism and all forms of dehumanization.
• 1:06:18
  Speaker 0: Peace cannot grow where hatred is
• 1:06:21
  Speaker 0: tolerated.".
• 1:06:24
  Speaker 0: So go contact elected representatives support ethical incredible organizations they informed through reliable sources.
• 1:06:36
  Speaker 0: We people here in Palestine are out of solutions And we can do anything more.
• 1:06:46
  Speaker 0: then be resilient or leave very soon because it's too hard on all levels.
• 1:06:56
  Speaker 0: We need you to speak up, we need you.
• 1:06:58
  Speaker 0: go your government.
• 1:07:00
  Speaker 0: the solution is in hand of governments not that aspect.
• 1:07:05
  Speaker 0: stop Israel from doing everything they are doing.
• 1:07:08
  Speaker 0: The solution there, the government should be pressuring Israeli Government.
• 1:07:14
  Speaker 0: even we Palestinians could work.
• 1:07:17
  Speaker 0: I mean, Palestinians and Israel could work on the ground in civil societies.
• 1:07:21
  Speaker 0: And do lots of work but at end-of-the-day like what happened for example in January where we were doing twenty four seven protective presents For this Bedouin community of six hundred people.
• 1:07:36
  Speaker 0: We were with them seven months Twenty four seven Doing this work.
• 1:07:41
  Speaker 0: In January they left.
• 1:07:43
  Speaker 0: They weren't left.
• 1:07:44
  Speaker 0: They were infinitely cleansed by the settlers and IDF, and police.
• 1:07:51
  Speaker 0: We couldn't do anything for them.
• 1:07:54
  Speaker 0: we packed with their stuff and cried while they were leaving houses in their lands And... ...we need people around the world to pressure their government To go elections and elect good people not those who are on Epstein files.
• 1:08:16
  Speaker 0: We need you, like really we need the pressure.
• 1:08:19
  Speaker 0: The pressure is working so I think this... I just want to deeply underline everything Amira just said and what i'll say is often people don't take action on these issues because they're too complicated or what can actually achieve?
• 1:08:40
  Speaker 0: And Right?
• 1:08:45
  Speaker 0: The reason people are often made to feel like you don't know enough, or unless you have three PhDs.
• 1:08:51
  Speaker 0: You shouldn't have an opinion on this is because that lets the status quo keep going right there.
• 1:08:57
  Speaker 0: Reason why you Don't see People Like Us talking about the experiences of what it Is like being part Of impacted communities is Because by shutting us out of those conversations This status quo can get repeated.
• 1:09:11
  Speaker 0: And I also want to say, this isn't complicated.
• 1:09:15
  Speaker 0: Both across the US and in Europe there are already laws around weapons not going to countries that are committing human rights violations.
• 1:09:23
  Speaker 0: In the
• 1:09:24
  Speaker 0: U.S.,
• 1:09:24
  Speaker 0: There Are Laws About Weapons Not Going To Countries That Are Withholding USAID From Getting Where It's Meant To Go Which The Israeli Government Has Consistently Done.
• 1:09:37
  Speaker 0: It is not controversial to say that Trump and Netanyahu should be above our laws, right?
• 1:09:45
  Speaker 0: That's the baseline standard for us.
• 1:09:49
  Speaker 0: The other thing I want folks in Europe know – you might not know this but currently across Europe your governments are helping enforce a Muslim ban!
• 1:09:59
  Speaker 0: So if you are in Germany and want to come the US, most of them can apply for a visa waiver.
• 1:10:06
  Speaker 0: But even when you're born in Iran or have German citizens they need an actual visa.
• 1:10:16
  Speaker 0: I would ask their government why they allow us to discriminate against our own citizens?
• 1:10:25
  Speaker 0: Why are European countries allowing the US to create two tiers of citizens for you?
• 1:10:34
  Speaker 0: why Are your governments allowing a Muslim ban to be enforced right now and what can You do to stop it, Right.
• 1:10:45
  Speaker 0: And then The other thing I will say is The level of dehumanization and racism that has been used to justify these wars, Has become like the air we breathe.
• 1:10:57
  Speaker 0: It is becomes so commonplace That it's hard spot right?
• 1:11:02
  Speaker 0: When you see people making casual claims Of war crimes All your leaders should be denouncing that.
• 1:11:10
  Speaker 0: So most folks don't know.
• 1:11:12
  Speaker 0: in Iran There are also mandatory military service for men Right?
• 1:11:18
  Speaker 0: I am terrified of members of my family having to be potentially be forced into that.
• 1:11:24
  Speaker 0: And then you have people like Piteksev saying the U S army will take no quarters, which in military speak is they will take No prisoners and they will just shoot to kill.
• 1:11:34
  Speaker 0: right That Is a war crime.
• 1:11:37
  Speaker 0: there should Be international outrage when someone says things Like that.
• 1:11:42
  Speaker 0: right and Then beyond Right?
• 1:11:45
  Speaker 0: Whenever I say, ''I am an Iranian Muslim feminist'' people assume that my feminism came from how awful the Iranian government is.
• 1:11:55
  Speaker 0: My feminism was shaped by generations of women before me.
• 1:12:01
  Speaker 0: and when iwas in Iran seeing their daily resistance... I would not be here talking to you all!
• 1:12:07
  Speaker 0: I wouldn't have had a job if it hadn't been for the legacy and being able to tell those stories.
• 1:12:17
  Speaker 0: Tell our stories not just as victims, but as people who have consistently fought for something.
• 1:12:25
  Speaker 0: Tell the story of our resilience after decades of being targeted... After decades different governments really attacking progressives leftists.
• 1:12:36
  Speaker 0: People want change and free them in Iran?
• 1:12:39
  Speaker 0: People are still protesting!
• 1:12:42
  Speaker 0: People Are Still Going Right?
• 1:12:45
  Speaker 0: Tell those stories.
• 1:12:47
  Speaker 0: And like what I will say is, What i think...I'm going to speak for you too and hope that you agree.
• 1:12:55
  Speaker 0: It takes a lot of emotional energy To come on these calls and share the stories we do with You.
• 1:13:01
  Speaker 0: The way you honor your commitment Is by all of you taking at least one action.
• 1:13:07
  Speaker 0: Pick One Thing!
• 1:13:08
  Speaker 0: There's no absolute right thing.
• 1:13:10
  Speaker 0: But if you want to honor strength it takes to come on these calls and share the stories, then return by doing one thing.
• 1:13:31
  Speaker 0: Of what else can we do?
• 1:13:47
  Speaker 0: I share it.
• 1:13:48
  Speaker 0: Our organization is also joining protective presence from time to time and i admire that people will do, then also understand People who are afraid to do.
• 1:13:58
  Speaker 0: It has become extremely violent And not being Policed in any way by Israeli.
• 1:14:08
  Speaker 0: idea of the opposite.
• 1:14:11
  Speaker 0: Testimonies show that the opposite is true and it's horrifying.
• 1:14:17
  Speaker 0: I just want to say, he wasn't really part of conversation but it was horrifying!
• 1:14:21
  Speaker 0: And with this horror come these moments when they said... But what can we do?
• 1:14:26
  Speaker 0: Part of me wants turn into Israel and say exactly what you've said.
• 1:14:31
  Speaker 0: I come from a society that insists for almost seven years straight in the streets to resist this regime and its diplomacy.
• 1:14:43
  Speaker 0: Sadly, it's not revolving enough the Palestinian issue – no usually!
• 1:14:54
  Speaker 0: And I think this is the one thing that would want to change.
• 1:14:56
  Speaker 0: For example, you asked me earlier on Amelie about elections in Israel and i forgot these questions.
• 1:15:03
  Speaker 0: All elections are coming from Israel so there's a way for them to win.
• 1:15:07
  Speaker 0: It means if Jewish parties will sit with the Arab party they'll win their election but it's a done deal!
• 1:15:16
  Speaker 0: But most of the Jewish parties won't do it.
• 1:15:21
  Speaker 0: And so this kind of issue that is standing at the end between loyalty to IDF and wanting to live in a peaceful place, it's not really resolved in Israel.
• 1:15:32
  Speaker 0: So I too say something similar to that... Do one action?
• 1:15:47
  Speaker 0: Yes, at least one action.
• 1:15:50
  Speaker 0: The move from a peace to war is a day.
• 1:15:54
  Speaker 0: that's it!
• 1:15:55
  Speaker 0: It's a decision.
• 1:15:57
  Speaker 0: enough people in places of power and enough People In the street can change That.
• 1:16:03
  Speaker 0: Europeans should know that.
• 1:16:05
  Speaker 0: okay Of all people European should.
• 1:16:07
  Speaker 0: now that you look back incredible words and you go, what for?
• 1:16:13
  Speaker 0: It could have been this way.
• 1:16:14
  Speaker 0: So let's just bring this day closer.
• 1:16:18
  Speaker 0: I hope we will manage to elect good people.
• 1:16:23
  Speaker 0: i do think calling leaders in Europe speaking up is important And it has an effect on Israeli society strengthening it and curbing our government actions.
• 1:16:39
  Speaker 0: Thank you very much.
• 1:16:43
  Speaker 0: Just sorry, but I just want to add one last phrase for what you said Don't only condemn.
• 1:16:51
  Speaker 0: Condemnation is great.
• 1:16:53
  Speaker 0: It's good on Facebook and Instagram You know But it's not changing the reality The horrific reality we are living through.
• 1:17:02
  Speaker 0: So encourage your politicians Take actions!
• 1:17:07
  Speaker 0: There could be so many Today, Chaghibiti knows the solution.
• 1:17:11
  Speaker 0: So you can ask Chagibiti but I mean like really stop condemning.
• 1:17:17
  Speaker 0: Condemning is not changing anything.
• 1:17:19
  Speaker 0: take elections thank you.
• 1:17:24
  Speaker 0: Thank You to all of you i think.
• 1:17:26
  Speaker 0: um looking at the question this was really most burning questions people have because again also from my own experience it feels quite Yeah, bad to think that you can make a difference because there's other people in power making decisions.
• 1:17:41
  Speaker 0: but I really have to take the heart of all us.
• 1:17:44
  Speaker 0: do one action.
• 1:17:45
  Speaker 0: possibly, hopefully more than you know there is a mass that at some point cannot be ignored.
• 1:17:51
  Speaker 0: And I think what we talked about with dehumanization really the base for lot of different conflicts and struggles?
• 1:18:02
  Speaker 0: There's question related to this.
• 1:18:05
  Speaker 0: so how do grab it at the root, maybe teach cultural awareness of young age.
• 1:18:15
  Speaker 0: What do you think is best way to try and eliminate this dehumanization?
• 1:18:23
  Speaker 0: Without dehumanizing other people?
• 1:18:26
  Speaker 0: I think that conflict wouldn't be possible because if we make them human then they just feel for us as well.
• 1:18:34
  Speaker 0: so what's your opinion on that?
• 1:18:42
  Speaker 0: I have thoughts on that.
• 1:18:47
  Speaker 0: First of all, i think it's an incredible task and... It is a task for parents' education systems And goes through books.
• 1:19:00
  Speaker 0: The good messages can go to places where the bad messages go Through the same channels.
• 1:19:06
  Speaker 0: It goes thru books It goes trough television shows It goes through education plans, it goes...it goes through all of that.
• 1:19:18
  Speaker 0: Also I find and speak as a parent here that meeting people from the other side…I don't know to play soccer nothing too meaningful.
• 1:19:30
  Speaker 0: just that already eliminates the sharpness.
• 1:19:37
  Speaker 0: uh racism That we are saturated in.
• 1:19:42
  Speaker 0: My society is saturated in racism, as never before.
• 1:19:46
  Speaker 0: It's a real peak.
• 1:19:49
  Speaker 0: but if I say to my child something very small remember your friend?
• 1:19:52
  Speaker 0: Do you know where his father from?
• 1:19:56
  Speaker 0: or do you know who he is?
• 1:19:59
  Speaker 0: Something like that.
• 1:19:59
  Speaker 0: it just breaks and puts the face on him.
• 1:20:03
  Speaker 0: suddenly reality becomes more complicated.
• 1:20:06
  Speaker 0: I do think there's a lot of forces working against that, but there is a lot creativity.
• 1:20:16
  Speaker 0: And I think creativity can really make ways here.
• 1:20:21
  Speaker 0: and parents they have still in the young age... They've got lots to give!
• 1:20:26
  Speaker 0: There IS some freeway there.
• 1:20:29
  Speaker 0: so yeah i think that.
• 1:20:37
  Speaker 0: So here..I think there are two things teaching kids about histories of oppression Like the way anti-Semitism works has laid a groundwork for the oppression of multiple other people as well and like teaching them about various hatred is really important.
• 1:20:57
  Speaker 0: And also what I know, as a parent kids learn more by how we act than what we say right?
• 1:21:06
  Speaker 0: So this where actually think Showing kids that when our leaders are saying horrific things, That we take action to stop it is one of the best ways Of teaching them what-is or isn't acceptable and bringing Them with us To parts like how you create change in Ways.
• 1:21:29
  Speaker 0: That makes sense for them Is really important too.
• 1:21:32
  Speaker 0: And again this It's one thing to say it, and there is so many attacks in the US.
• 1:21:41
  Speaker 0: We are seeing a systematic erasure of civil rights movement teaching from schools which is horrific right?
• 1:21:50
  Speaker 0: So all that is important but if we don't pair with action I do not think this message will hit quite home.
• 1:21:58
  Speaker 0: And being there for our kids then I think that's where we let them down.
• 1:22:15
  Speaker 0: Yes, thank you Amira.
• 1:22:16
  Speaker 0: do you want to add anything?
• 1:22:18
  Speaker 0: Yeah yeah i wanted just to agree on what they said.
• 1:22:22
  Speaker 0: answer it said.
• 1:22:23
  Speaker 0: but i would like to add one important thing is her teach our youth how dehumanization works and how can stop this from happening.
• 1:22:41
  Speaker 0: and when I say it, for all youth around the world.
• 1:22:44
  Speaker 0: It could be Israel-Palestine or Iran-Israel, America, Cuba... Everything!
• 1:22:51
  Speaker 0: All of them are conflicts in the world.
• 1:22:57
  Speaker 0: And how we do that?
• 1:23:00
  Speaker 0: With one tool they have.
• 1:23:04
  Speaker 0: They're phones, social media.
• 1:23:08
  Speaker 0: This tool between their hands have given them access to real human being stories.
• 1:23:19
  Speaker 0: You know, when you tell someone a personal story and not... But I mean Netanyahu this that you told him your story?
• 1:23:28
  Speaker 0: Your person's story?
• 1:23:30
  Speaker 0: That's where humanization starts.
• 1:23:32
  Speaker 0: When this person in front of you listening to your human story realizes behind that screen or in person is a human being.
• 1:23:44
  Speaker 0: It's just the normal person who has a mother, father and son sister.
• 1:23:48
  Speaker 0: so I think yeah they should.
• 1:23:51
  Speaker 0: we should expose them to more stories from their realities.
• 1:23:58
  Speaker 0: beautiful stories to show them, not only the news that they watch on CNN and all kind of these channels but also their documentaries about beauty in this country.
• 1:24:14
  Speaker 0: For example I met lots youths who spoke with me And for example, what they see about Palestine is war.
• 1:24:21
  Speaker 0: Like everybody here is Hamas and everyone wants to kill them all.
• 1:24:27
  Speaker 0: This is how they portray us.
• 1:24:29
  Speaker 0: But then you start giving documentaries, links YouTube pages To show the beauty of Palestine.
• 1:24:37
  Speaker 0: Palestine is beautiful.
• 1:24:40
  Speaker 0: I mean both Palestine and historical Palestine.
• 1:24:44
  Speaker 0: It's a beautiful country and it has so many people.
• 1:24:49
  Speaker 0: And we...it is not all conflict only, they have to see that part.
• 1:25:02
  Speaker 0: powerful both testimonies and I think it's good to have this call for action.
• 1:25:07
  Speaker 0: And you know, feel like there is a common understanding.
• 1:25:09
  Speaker 0: so thank-you very much for that!
• 1:25:11
  Speaker 0: Looking at the time... It also perfectly timed.
• 1:25:14
  Speaker 0: we're nearly done So i'm gonna give the word to Max for some closing words.
• 1:25:19
  Speaker 0: Thank You Very Much!
• 1:25:21
  Speaker 0: Thank you all.
• 1:25:22
  Speaker 0: who was in the background reading your questions listening what you four said?
• 1:25:29
  Speaker 0: Many people that follow Europe calling longer know my mom usually isn't the audience as well.
• 1:25:35
  Speaker 0: She wrote me a message because we were speaking about family and how important it is, I just want to read the translation but didn't ask her before doing so.
• 1:25:45
  Speaker 0: ma'am sorry if i shouldn't.
• 1:25:49
  Speaker 0: My mom says, I'm so shocked and sad.
• 1:25:51
  Speaker 0: And i can't help but think what amazing women they are... ...and how privileged we are to live here speaking from
• 1:25:58
  Speaker 0: Germany.".
• 1:26:00
  Speaker 0: Those are the feelings that you elicited.. ..and brought in your people thinking and listening to you.
• 1:26:08
  Speaker 0: This is important!
• 1:26:10
  Speaker 0: I really respect what you said Sarah about... about the emotional stress that is also to share those stories.
• 1:26:22
  Speaker 0: I'm admiring you have this strength, so thank-you very much for that!
• 1:26:28
  Speaker 0: To everyone who has more questions we have several more questions especially also very concrete peace, concretely look in the Middle East and you know assistance of government between Palestine and Israel for example.
• 1:26:43
  Speaker 0: We actually done a webinar on this more like concrete things and concrete models back in November.
• 1:26:48
  Speaker 0: so we're going to share that in the follow-up as well because I think apart from those stories or more geopolitics also then thinking about what could be a form The task was to listen and understand more.
• 1:27:11
  Speaker 0: I think this has worked, at least for me when i read the comments of all my mums that have worked!
• 1:27:19
  Speaker 0: And I'm very grateful for you all.
• 1:27:22
  Speaker 0: Closing it now is no good way to end it... ...I wish your families a very best and let's hope that war or other wars will And very soon, we're going to have governments that will end those wars and not start new ones just to end them.
• 1:27:41
  Speaker 0: With that I leave you into the night wherever your are or actually into the day in the afternoon.
• 1:27:46
  Speaker 0: so thank-you very much!
• 1:27:48
  Speaker 0: See you at next year of calling on Thursday with a completely different topic Renewable Energy.
• 1:27:53
  Speaker 0: This is how many topics talk about but this isn't for tonight.
• 1:27:57
  Speaker 0: So Thank You Very Much and Have A Nice Evening.