Who We Are
We are a Europe-based initiative dedicated to fostering trust, mutual respect, and hope between Israelis and Palestinians, starting with Gazans.
We believe that building cooperative relationships is the foundation for sustainable cohabitation between the two nations.
We facilitate cooperative joint projects in the region and Europe, leading to productive relationships.
We are convinced that stability between Palestinians and Israelis will affect social stability in Europe.
How We Started
The brutal mass murder on 7 October 2023, followed by a devastating war in Gaza, deeply polarised the world, including Europe. Amid this turmoil, some believed that fostering empathy could serve as a bridge to hope and trust.
Muhamad and Vered, each grieving the loss of close family members, connected digitally. A bond that eventually led to a face-to-face meeting. Despite their shared pain, they recognised that revenge could not bring back their loved ones. While they could not change the past, they resolved to shape a hopeful future.
As trust grew between them, their circle expanded, drawing in others who shared similar experiences and aspirations. This collective vision culminated in creating a new initiative and organization dedicated to promoting understanding and building a hopeful future.
Our Name and Logo
The name GazEl is made up of Gaza and Israel, and sounds like Gazelle, the desert-dwelling wild animal that symbolises the ability to leap over obstacles while striving for freedom, supported by the strength and unity of the community. It symbolises our hopeful future.
Our Mission and Vision
GazEl seeks to build a common future of hope through mutual understanding, empathy, and cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis who agree on dialogue.
- Building Trust between Palestinians and Israelis in a European-based initiative.
- Facilitating and generating projects and activities that enable cooperation that will shape a hopeful and pragmatic future between Israelis and Palestinians in Europe and their home countries.
- Bring together individuals who are committed to making a difference and willing to work for freedom and no violence between Gaza and Israel.
- The foundation aims to build trust in community-based activities, enabling personal contact and getting to know each other better.
- The foundation aims to establish and support projects that bridge Palestinians and Israelis (and others) while creating opportunities to grow together with mutual respect and building trust and dialogue in Europe.
- The foundation hopes that this initiative will spread across communities in Europe and the home countries.
Our Board Members
Vered Raz – Chairwoman
Vered Raz – Chairwoman Israeli-born, Dutch, Jewish, and proud mother of three. Molecular biologist and genetics researcher of aging and age-associated diseases, teacher and educator at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands.
Committed to peace, promoting dialogue and community-based projects that foster cooperation between Jews and Palestinians in Europe. Believes that together we can create meaningful change for a safer and brighter future.
Inbal Tur-Shalom – Secretary
Inbal Tur-Shalom – Secretary I am a tourism and photography professional based in the Netherlands, with extensive experience in project planning, execution, photography and tour guiding. I am passionate about storytelling, history, and creating meaningful connections between people. I deeply value initiatives that promote dialogue, understanding, and solidarity among communities. Promoting peace and human connection is at the core of both my professional work and personal values. Through my involvement, I hope to contribute to a future where empathy and cooperation replace division and conflict.
Cocq Ouwerkerk – Treasurer
Cocq Ouwerkerk – TreasurerTrained as a historian, but after a few years of research, I ended up as a journalist and communication specialist, manager, and consultant. Through study, genealogical research, and interest, I became involved in Jewish history.
After retirement, I gained more in-depth knowledge of Jewish history as a volunteer at the Hollandse Schouwburg and the Holocaust Museum.
I worked in change management and communication. Central to this are respect, open-mindedness, honesty, trust, cooperation, appreciation of knowledge and skills, and finally, tackling things and just doing it. All these principles I find in GazEl. We must pick up, tackle, and create opportunities. I want to contribute to a peaceful future. We should not be deterred… can’t blame a guy for trying…
Tamar Kurzer
Tamar KurzerI was born and raised in the Netherlands and currently live in Amsterdam. Since October 7th, I have begun to see the differences, but I also recognize that there are many similarities between Israelis and Palestinians. By acknowledging this and showing the world that we can build a shared future, we can make a difference.
As a fundraiser working at an NGO, I strive to support initiatives that foster dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between communities. Through my work, I aim to secure the resources needed for projects that promote peace, education, and mutual respect. I hope that through my experience, I can contribute to building a brighter future where coexistence is not just an ideal but a reality.
Hanna Luden
Hanna LudenI was born and raised in Israel but have lived in the Netherlands for over 35 years. I have always been socially engaged and politically active, first in Israel and later in the Netherlands. After October 7th, I joined those who still believe that – despite the terrible atrocities – there is no other way forward for Israel and the Palestinians than the road of co-existence in trust, respect, freedom, and hopefully, peace. And I have been devoting my time and power for that matter and open dialogue. Currently, I am spending my time between the two countries, trying to bring Israelis and Palestinians a step closer through that belief.