My name is Ghadir Hani. I was born and raised in Akko, a Jewish-Arab city. I was taught that co-existence is possible, when both sides trust each other and recognize each other’s rights. When there is a mutual sense of tolerance, respect and love. I believe in discourse between all groups in society – because discourse creates friendships and brings people closer together. When I meet people who are different from me, I search for what we have in common and connect to that.
In 2000, shortly before the second Intifada, when I moved to the southern region. I heard endless racial comments and violent discourse all around me, and it was upsetting. But instead of getting hurt and insulted, I came to the realization that I had arrived in a conflict zone, a place where there was really no connection between Arabs and Jewish except for being service providers and customers. For me, this was a danger sign, and I wondered why no one was making an effort to eradicate prejudices in the south.
During this time I met Dr. Amal Alsana Alhagugi, an amazing woman who later became my supervisor. Together, we organized encounters between Muslim and Jewish women. At these meetings we discussed traditions and values of Islam and Judaism and we discovered that we had a lot in common.
I now live in the village of Hura, and work as administrator of the Wadi Attir international project that collaborates with the Sustainability Labs, the Hura local council and the Israeli government. I also help to empower women in the Al Sanabel program, a first of its kind social venture that provides thousands of hot meals for school children in Hura and the area. This project is a result of collaboration between the Hura local council and AJEEC – the Arab-Jewish NCO organization for social change based in the Negev.
In addition to my “real” jobs, I volunteer in women organizations for rights and social justice. I’m also a member of the Hagar community that started the bi-lingual school in the south, and help them organize social cultural and interfaith encounters.
Two years ago, I joined Women Wage Peace. I came to the Fasting Tent, where members of the movement fasted in front of the Prime Minister’s home for 52 days to symbolize the number of days of Operation Protective Edge. I came to the tent with Palestinian friends from the West Bank and Israeli Jewish women. I was so moved to meet the determined women fasting, and right there and then I signed up for the movement and made a small donation. That same day I got active in Women Wage Peace, serving as a simultaneous translator for the women in the tent.
It was evident to me, that women have a need to meet their neighbors – to talk to them, share information, experiences, culture traditions, etc. So I now try to connect different organizations to Women Wage Peace and run joint activities. I also believe that language is key to enabling people to get to know each other. Therefore, I translate the movement’s information into Arabic to make it accessible to more Arab women.
Last month I represented Women Wage Peace in the Rimini Meeting for Friendship in Italy, together with my colleague Alisa Eshet. This is an international conference held every year by a Italian religious organization. The representatives from the countries and organizations we met were very supportive of Women Wage Peace and told us that we represent the chance for peace in our region and in the world. We spoke at a very prestigious panel, alongside a representative of the Pope and an audience of approx. 1000 people, who share our conviction that peace is possible. The participants told us how impressed they were by our commitment to reach a political agreement and to stop the cycle of violence, We returned to Israel with a lot of positive energy as we prepared for our next challenge: the Journey to Peace – which was a phenomenal success, with over 3500 Jewish and Palestinian women demanding peace. Nothing can stop determined women. Join us!
Translated from Hebrew by Orli Haklai
