- We work on the civic level, driven by participants while cultivating mutual trust, and empathy.
- We recognize the trauma and pain of our shared past, along with the differences in the narratives that have shaped it. With this in mind, we encourage openness, a willingness to learn, and an effort to understand and connect with each other’s perspectives on history.
- We do not work towards political solutions to the conflict, but we believe in dialogues and activities that are conducted with sincerity and mutual respect.
- We cannot change history – but together we can build a hopeful common future, based on mutual respect.
GazEl 4 Peace
-
Our Manifest
-
The Amsterdam Declaration
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, stands as a testament to the resilience of its residents, who united to overcome the relentless threat of flooding. Through cooperation and collective effort, the city transformed adversity into strength, showcasing the power of community.
Inspired by this civic history, we aim to build unity and strength between Palestinians and Israelis through a European-based collaboration..
Amsterdam’s legacy as the birthplace of citizen-led global trade initiatives has fostered a deep sense of participation and engagement. Coupled with its long-standing tradition of openness, liberalism, and tolerance, the city provides the ideal setting for for the launch of GazEl, bringing together Gazans and Israelis living in Europe to work on the citizen2citizen level rather than the political arena.
-
Peace Narratives from Gaza and Israel
December 15th 2024, Amsterdam
- See HERE some of the photo’s and short films which were taken during the meeting
A panel conversation will be held featuring a diverse group of Palestinians and Israelis. These participants, some of whom are based in Europe, will share their experiences navigating the complexities of being victims of Islamic militias and the ongoing war between Gaza and Israel.
The panelists will openly acknowledge the suffering, pain, and bloodshed endured by both sides of the conflict. Through their stories, they aim to highlight the power of bottom-up cooperation and dialogue as tools to inspire hope and a path toward reconciliation.
Confirmed round table participants (subject to change):
The round table participants (subject to change):
Talshalom (Israel), Wasim (The Netherlands – Gaza), Hamza (Germany – Gaza), Rami (Egypt – Gaza), Hanna (The Netherlands-Israel). -
A New Middle East
Lecture
16 December 2024 | 19:00 to 20:30 | Amsterdam
Thomas von der Osten-Sacken
Listen to the recording of the lecture using the player below.
The situation in the Middle East is changing fast. Who could have expected that the regime of the Asad dictatorship will crumble so fast? But this is only one aspect of the situation in a very volatile region. Regional powers have their say as well as European countries, Russia, and the United States. Understanding who is fighting whom with whom is not easy. And while geopolitics play an important role, one should not forget that these conflicts are also about freedom, self-determination, and a better future for millions of people. What is the agenda of the rebels who have taken over the Syrian regime? And what can we expect to happen elsewhere in the region? What should Israel do?
Thomas von der Osten-Sacken, Director of the German-Iraqi NGO Wadi, has been working in the Middle East since the early nineties. Wadi is supporting a variety of projects to empower women and strengthen civil society movements. He will talk about his experiences, how the Middle East is changing and what could be a perspective for a better future for all in this region. -
Founders’ Meeting
14 December 2024 | Amsterdam
The first meeting of our initiative took place on 14th December 2024 in Amsterdam, where the voices of peace and liberty from Gaza, Israel, and Europe gathered to shape the initiative and build teams to plan and implement together.
The day was devoted to getting better acquainted, building trust, and shaping the goals and projects.
Read our declaration and our manifest produced together after this meeting.