Right Frequency for Peace

Double interview with two Sadakah Reut members: Yve and Ismail

2008-08-28T14:55:00.009+02:00

Who are you? What is your name and where do you live? How long are you in Sadaka Reut?

I’m Yve (right in picture) and I am almost 17. I live in Ranana, not far from Jaffa Tel Aviv.

I’m Ismail (left in picture) I’m also almost 17 and live in Jaffa.

What did you think of the exchange up till now?

It is very refreshing for us. Not what we normally do. In Sadaka we usually do workshops on political education about the conflict and speak openly about it.

Sometimes there is a tension during this exchange towards making it all understandable.

I already had a great time but am still waiting for the deeper talks about the conflict and am also hoping to mingle more between the two groups.

How do people around you react on the fact that you join in an Israeli – Palestinian project or organisation?

Some people do think it is important but don’t come themselves.

My family and certainly my parents are really open towards it, but even they sometimes have to take a step back. It is really hard to get on the same level with someone who hasn’t had the experiences we had in our project for two years.

It is also difficult with the Belgians, but you come with different intentions. Sadaka Reut becomes a bigger part of you that only the other people in the program tend to understand.

My story, as a Palestinian, is totally different. Where I come from there are two sides:

People like my parents and sisters who motivate me to go on with this project,

Lots of people in my environment who feel like I’m betraying them.

This brings me in a very particular situation between two sides. I find myself between Palestinians and Israeli.

Even some of my Jewish friends who joined the army are against the fact that I’m taking part in projects of Sadaka Reut.

Do you have a lot of contact with ‘people from the other community’ when you are not in Sadaka Reut?

I don’t have a lot of friends or contact with Palestinians who aren’t in Sadaka Reut.

I do. I went to a Jewish school - because the education there is way better - and have friends on both sides.

And is it common to have a relationship with someone of ‘the other side’?

It happens, but it gets complicated when it gets serious.

Most of the girlfriends I had were Jewish, but it gets indeed complicated when parents find out about it. My last relationship ended up because her parents found out and prohibited her to have any more contact with me.

It’s a pity, but what can you do about it?

What do you think about the beer Duvel?

Both: A great beer!!! But you should never drink it when it is warm or from the bottle when you just opened it!

Rob, Jacob, Johannes, Yve an Ismaël

From Handzame to Israel from Israel to Handzame

2008-08-14T10:56:00.002+02:00

name: Emilie Van de Walle
age: 23
lives in: Handzame (small village)
work: teacher in primary school

After this project I’ll bring a part of Israel into my classroom.
With film, photos, stories, workshops, discussions, paper news, I’ll try to let the children from 10 – 12 years feel how to live in a country in war.

At their level I’ll talk about house demolitions and gated communities.
There will be place for a talk about feelings from people who suffer. Also thoughts about the Western Wall and the silence, that I’ve felt when I was there, will take part of it.

Not only the Israelian - Palestinian conflict will be treated, but also other differences to Belgium.
A lot of things can be mentioned: 3 religions who live together, culture, food (to prepare humus, falafel or baamia), and music (write your own rapsong), theatre, games, habits, learn the hebrew alphabet…

I hope that after this, maybe a few more young people are awake to what’s happening in Israel.
Beside misery and impotence, let us especially remind words of hope

Shalom
Emilie

6 August: Management, Propaganda & Music

2008-08-13T22:40:00.005+02:00

Today we had another day of workshops on organizational management and media.

Today, we took a closer look on the management of non profit organisations. First on the program were the workshops about the defining of mission and vision of the organisation, and afterwards SWOT-analysis was on the menu. Both the workshops were quite interactive, which made it easier for the youth to concentrate.

After lunch, the energizer was ‘good old’ women against men, which led off course to an even greater team spirit. After some digestion efforts, a music workshop was on the scheme, hosted by Omri and Ismael. After a short performance by our talented friends, the floor was ours and we expressed our feelings in our own language by the use of hip-hop.

After this musical experience, we had the visit of a French photographer, who provides pictures for NGO’s around the world.

The next workshop was again new media, and we were taught about the propaganda model. However the presentation was very interesting, it was quite short due to time management.

After dinner, we shared feelings, emotions and opinions about the trip to Jerusalem the day before. Everyone had the opportunity to say how he/she felt, which was necessary after visiting a city that overled us which all sorts of emotions.

12 August: Um4p on radio 1, national Belgium radio

2008-08-12T11:16:00.007+02:00

This morning two youth of Um4p, Marijntje Broeckx and Glen Buts, could tell about their experiences at the exchange on the national radio "radio 1". You can follow the link below to hear their story.

http://www.radio1.be/programmas/och1/1093419/

Unfortunately for our Israeli-Palestinian partners and our Walloon participant the interview is in Dutch. Follow the Blog as more interviews are released on the subject from our own video footage.

8 August: Social TV, New Media & Web 2.0 and Goals

2008-08-12T08:33:00.003+02:00

First off all, thanks for reading!

Readers, just a small warning: because of the heat and the long (but interesting) day and night (wink) our brains can’t function normal. So no chronological report about the day, just take a care bear & enjoy.

Israeli’s work just like all of us, though they have a different labour system as in Belgium. In fact only 4,5% of the active population are employers (big bosses), that’s really small but they have a lot of power.

Dialogue café: one of the tasks on the topic new media was to discuss web 2.0 (facebook, youtube, wikipedia,…)

How we use web 2.0 (new media) in our lives;

The positive and the negatives;

Main conclusion we didn’t know we used web 2.0, its fun, its fantastic but it takes time.

At the beach the Belgian group had an evening discussion about how we feel in this exchange but also about our country and its conflict. Really interesting to hear how everyone thinks and feels about our small country. After the emotions, followed the refreshments for some in the water and others in a ‘few’ glasses of beer.

Yala yala!!! Care bears are good motivation between the long power points…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNm5Hqow78I

8 pieces of pizza were to much but we have reports off people eating at least 6.

A lot of powerpoints today. In combination with temperatures and airco this made a lot of victims. First a few sleepers and then some fell ill. Hopely they recover before the party J

U move for peace, u move for toilet, you move for humus, I move for goldstar, …

Goal setting cause making goals is important. So we got a presentation about it and could apply the knowledge on our projects. A useful tool is SMART. Goals have to be:

Specific

Measurable

Attractive/ acceptable

Realistic

Time bound

Not easy to create goals with these rules, especially when it’s so hot but afterwards you can really work with them.

Uhm, do you know anything that starts with U and makes sense?

Social tv is a small non profit Israeli media organisation who makes reports on and participates in social actions. It’s an alternative to mainstream media but also provides them the full story. Check out on www.TV.social.org.il

Theatre workshop with Noa. After lunch we got a real active workshop. As a warm up we had energy game, gathering in the circle and passing shouts & moves to each other. Then louder, then softer. Really fun!!! Which followed by a small discussion on the division of

Belgium

and a play where the public played the directors.

Interview with Participants Odile, Roga, Leeba & Kathy - 'Exchanging Thoughts'

2008-08-11T11:04:00.009+02:00

Four girls sit in a park in Jaffa. While eating an ice-cream, Odile (23), Liba (19), Roga (19) and Kathy (27) talk about their lives, their expectations, and their different identities.

Odile, from

Belgium

, is here because she cares about peace and wants to feel that people can live together despite their differences. She lives in the French speaking part of

Belgium

, and she has only recently (3 years ago) made Flemish friends. From that moment she discovered what being a Belgian is all about. Through UM4P activities and exchanges she realized that everyone can be enriched by the different cultures that surround them.

Liba, and Roga both Israelis, have been doing a year of community service at Sadaka- Reut. During this year they lived in an Arab-Jewish commune in Jaffa and volunteered in different places in the city. Their involvement in this exchange is one of the last projects of this year.

Liba, has known that she doesn't want to go to the army for the last few years. In her opinion the army does not only defend the people of its country, but is also used to occupy. Its actions are many times brutal, immoral and very destructive. Liba also feels that the militarization of Israeli society is dangerous and harmful. She managed to be exempted from the army and decided to contribute to her society in a different way which she does believe in.

Roga decided not to go to the army after a long process of introspection. This decision is not acceptable in her country, where going to the army is a normal part of life. For her it's essential to find a way to act according to her own values and believes, even though it's not what society expects from her.

For Kathy, a Dutch girl living in

Belgium

, this kind of exchange helps her to form ideas on how promoting social change can be a part of daily life. Sharing stories and experiences and being with like-minded people inspires her. Learning more about the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been important for her. In her eyes we should be aware of the things that go on in this world and be responsible 'world citizens'.

After finishing their ice cream, they go back to the day's activity, keeping the conversation in their minds.

Kathy, Odile, Roga and Liba
Angelique (pictures)

7 August: Nazereth, a day of activism

2008-08-09T15:39:00.002+02:00

Today (06/08) we were going to Nazereth to meet up whit a few activists who were going to give us an explenation of the history of Nazareth.

After a late breakfast we left early (If you don’t understand this paradox: ask Oli), heading towards Nazareth. Elias actually made it to the bus! We also had a special guest: Diana from Argentina was on a journey sponsored by the Jewish Zionist movement and wanted to learn about the Palestinian side of the story.

Our first stop was on .?. (Great view!) where Nadeem, the guide, explained us about the geographical and demographical situation of Nazareth and its surroundings.

He also told us about Nazareth Elite and the difficult relationship between the two cities.

In the old city we went to visit the church annunciation for the Christians and the Orthodox Greeks. In the first one we had to make sure to cover ourselves well. Otherwise the guard wouldn’t let us enter.

Time for free time! Time to shop for souvenirs, to not eat humus and to chill out!

Afterwards we were invited into Daker’s little chalet. He is a Palestinian activist, just like Nadeem. He told us about the history of Nazareth and Nazareth Elite and how it was for people to live there today.

Next, the bus took us to pick up Daoud Bader, coordinator of the Association for the Defence of Rights of the Internally Displaces Persons in Israel and an activist who used to live in Souffrane, which was confiscated by the Israeli army in 1948. The villagers had to flee and weren’t able to return until today although they have the right to do so. Daoud Bader and his organisation are trying to help these internally displaced persons in Israel.

Back in Jaffa we had dinner with cauliflower, chicken on a stick, humus (of course) and lots of bamia and stuff for the veggies.

To finish this heavy day, we deserved a visit to the lovely Jaffa night market and/or to the lovely beach.

5 August: Media & Conflict, Making fun of religions??

2008-08-09T15:26:00.005+02:00

Today we were going to see more about media on the conflict, the way this works and what we can do to use the media instead of being used. The group had an afternoon and evening of free time to recharge their batteries.

After some games we started with a discussion about our visit to Jerusalem. We talked about the tour in the old city, religion and jokes on religion. It was very interesting to hear everybody's opinions.

Jacob, Bert and Dries presented a PowerPoint on "Media on the Conflict". First we watched a video of Jake Lynch (BBC-journalist) speaking about framing, media strategy en manipulation.

They also spoke about the freedom of press in Israel-Palestine and in Belgium, free media, embedded journalism and citizen's journalism. I learned a lot about embedded journalism. I think it's difficult for the journalists to choose between safety and objective reporting.

Einat told us about two organizations; Anarchists Against Walls and Taayush and the way in which they use media. They film during demonstrations so that they have eyewitness reports and to get people involved in the conflict. By using the media they want to start a public, national debate.

It is not always possible to get what you want from the media. Einat gave us a good example of how the media can change the message which you want to give. Activists were helping farmers to get to their land on the other side of the wall. In the news this action was presented as humanitarian aid in stead of a political act against the impact off the wall.

Karen, Emilie, Klaartje

Interview with: Youth leader Olivier Forges

2008-08-09T15:07:00.003+02:00

Name: Olivier Forges
Age: 28
Occupation: working at UM4P at Pax Christi
Lives in: Antwerp

What is your Motivation for being here??

I initiated the project together with Sadaka Reut. I proposed the exchange after meeting them last year. I was impressed by their working method and energy. I wanted to strengthen both organizations and there are tons of possibilities with media especially for youth.

Why Israel and Sadaka?

We work in three different regions and Israel was one of them. And there was already some dreams to come here. It’s a popular, hot subject in Belgium. It’s very international and it’s very alive. We also have good contact with other organisation like Baladna. But we feel more linked with Sadaka because they also worked with both communities. There was more connection with our country.

What do you thing about the group and the stigmas?

I’m here for the fourth time. I felt the thing about the age that we were older than the Sadaka participants, but the youth here is indeed more experienced at the younger age. They live in the situation so they have a lot of baggage. The first day is always kind of looking but since yesterday (02/08) that the group is growing to each other. The talks with people here broaden my view. They are sexy.

What brought you to activism?

I get this question a lot but don’t know where it just happened. I was a member of a green movement. I don’t know why really. When I was twenty I became a more radical activist and became more active on different levels. As a student social work I did an internship and this way I came at Pax Christi like a bit of an accident. But now it’s my passion and don’t want to do anything else. It is very intense and pushes you to also reflect on yourself.

Why don’t you do more in Belgium?

I wanted to be more international. Something like the big things first. But the best thing is to think local, act local. I try to do this nowadays. I got my inspiration a bit from sadaka.

What do you think about Jaffa?

I love it. I grew up in the countryside but I now find it to boring that‘s why I moved to the city of Antwerp. I like the rough areas in the cities because there is more real life. In these areas you have to deal with everything. It’s the fourth time here. And you have the beach but I actually prefers the mountains.

What naughty activity do u want to do?

A gender bender party, but the changing of clothes happens at the party.

Interview with Participant Noa Rodriguez Oria

2008-08-09T13:22:00.005+02:00

Name: Noa Rodriguez Oria - EG
Age: 18
Volunteering in commune next year
Lives in Modi’in

Why are you called EG?

Well, I’m just tough and I needed a cool nickname. (Big laugh) No seriously, two weeks ago I attended the summer camp of Sadaka Reut. On one the first nights I was taking out my contacts. At that point Omri, who was also in the seminar, started shouting that I was taking my eyes out. One of the other participants who was half asleep overheard it. He thought I was actually doing it. He felt sorry for her because they were laughing with the Eyeless Girl, with EG. The rest of the camp they kept on calling me that. EG was born.

So two weeks ago you were in a camp and now you are in exchange. What s your motivation to be here?

First of all it’s Sadaka seminar. But more important the subject of Indymedia is interesting for me. I, in fact, want to start using it at Sadaka next year. On the other hand I’m also very interested in why youth from Belgium is coming to here and meet up with them. In the meantime one of the reasons I also discovered that activism is about getting to know other activists in their community and learn from them.

What do you think of the Belgian group?

First of all I was really impressed by their political awareness, even though they don’t have a real conflict. I was amazed how they cared about the conflict in Israel. They are also very nice people and up until now it was interesting to talk to everybody. A lot of the participants do interesting work back home in social work and other areas. I hope to learn more about the work they do as volunteers as workers. Through these talks I also get new perspectives on my own conflict.

How long is are member of Sadaka?

In the beginning of the year in, the summer seminar was my first activity.

What brought u into activism?

I always cared about social subjects. In the 11^th grade our school went to Poland. Seeing what ignorance can cause, it affected me to the fact that I got more aware about what’s happening around me, also I started to think about not going to the army, doing something helpful instead. I have a newer motivation now, doing activism has a lot of satisfaction in it. Something I discovered recently.

What do you think of Jaffa?

I love it, my parents came from Bat Yam, and I grew up there. They didn’t want to raise their kids here, so I came back here to make a change in that area. Coming from a rich bubble place, shielded from the conflict, but you see the conflict in the streets here (jaffa) every day.

What naughty activity do u want to do?

Swimming naked in the sea

4 August: Jerusalem, a history of religions and violence

2008-08-08T07:34:00.005+02:00

Today (04/08) we went with the whole Group to Jerusalem to see the conflict from nearby. In the morning we did a political tour with ICAHD, in the afternoon we visited the old city of Jerusalem. It was interesting day for everybody.

The tour, organized by ICAHD (Israelian Commission against House Demolishing), started with an introduction about the Israelian Palestine conflict and more specific on the situation of Jerusalem. The city consist of two parts, West-Jerusalem where only lives Jews and East-Jerusalem with a mixed population. The tour took place in the Eastern part. First of all we visited a Palestinian family. They told about the difficult situation of living together with Jews and the bullying in a settlement. Their story was confronting and moving for us. Then the bus took us to the Mount of Olive. There we had a good view on the settlements situated in the West bank. We visited this settlement and got information about the policy of Israel. We were wondered about the fact that things like house demolition, building the wall, discrimination, just can happen. When we stood next to the wall, the feeling of frustration, powerlessness and sadness increased.

After the political tour we had guidance through the old city of Jerusalem. We started the tour at the gate of Damascus; afterwards we followed the Via Dolorosa and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall. We also saw the Dome of the Rock and the El Asqa Mosque. The way the guide told about all the monument and different religions in Jerusalem was the cause of a discussion in the group. We talked about whether it was allowed to make jokes about religion and how we should coop with it.

In the evening we took the bus back to Tel Aviv for dinner, where we ate on the roof of an Indian restaurant called 24 rupee. After a good dinner and a very good and relaxed atmosphere, we returned to the hostel after this to have a great evening.

It was a very hard but productive day, whit heavy subjects and a lot of emotion.

The Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood committee
Israeli Commitee against house demolitions

Glen, Marijntje and Jacob

3 August: Belgian & Israel/Palestinian presentation & Learning how to make a media report

2008-08-07T22:12:00.007+02:00

The third day (03/08) of the youth exchange project between UM4P and Sadaka Reut sparked the fire to expand more editorial expertise. The exercise constituted a fresh but essential phase in the didactic process of enhancing skills that are elementary for youth peace activism. The learning process involved how to adequately compose and present a quality story through text and photos.

To awaken the sleepy eyes of the participants of the exchange project, an energizing physical activity was required. Leaping like baboons, shouting like passionate martial arts students in order to transfer inner power symbolically from one to another. This encouraged and enhanced the group’s spirit and kicked off the amount of motivation needed for the rest of the educative day. After the humorous morning appetizer, the hors d'oeuvre s consisted of two country presentations from an another perspective; Participants from both Belgium and Israel studied the historical background and cultural constellations of each other’s homeland. The Belgian team presented their view of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, summarizing facts and data through a role-playing panel of critical persona and elements.

Sadaka Reut demonstrated a humorous and rather informal presentation. It involved both a MySpace spoof page on the Belgian king and royalty as well as a creative comparison on differing communities that live together and the compartmentalized structure of Belgian waffles. Their message was that there didn’t seem to be any hope for the Belgian king who stands to lose he’s job if the contemporary political climate in Belgium stays the same way. The waffle that is Belgium isn’t easy but the Israeli-Palestinian delegation did a good job explaining it.

The third dish of the day involved running back and forth from the Markas and the new main office of Sadaka Reut. The Belgian workshop instructors gave essential briefings and tips on the principles of writing journalistic articles and taught professional photographic skills for the blog. These quick-start tips were implemented in the actual work that followed. It cannot be understated these info sessions were constructive to add quality to the project and reaching out to online readers. The current article '(and the interviews) are a direct result of this work

The dinner consisted of a speciality at Dr. Shakshukah – a local restaurant famous for its deep-pan fried eggs in tomato sauce and appetizers. We were eager to kick up our feet and dance on Middle-Eastern rhythms, and went back to find out what the local exchange participants had prepared for us later that night. Because the Israeli and Palestinian Youth organized their cultural evening that consisted of more than just sweets, crackling sunflower pips, sweet pastries and smoking of the nargilah or water pipe Several songs and dances where introduced to the Belgians and even some choruses where taught in both Hebrew and Arabic. .The youth gave us insight in how even Palestinians and (Israeli) Jews can have a very hybrid, multinational background.

Nico, Nils and Ben

Karen (pictures)

2 August: Personal involvement and identity

2008-08-07T22:09:00.005+02:00

Today (02/08) we talked about identity: how do we act in a group, what are the moments in our lives where we felt like taking action? Leading up to thinking about what activists can fight for or against. After this we chose one of these subjects to have some fictive presentations about in order to feel how personal involvement has an influence on us. We ended the day with a Belgian cultural night.

The day started with a traditional breakfast at eight thirty. Whilst still waking up we were already wondering what the day would bring for us. After the breakfast we immediately went to the Markaz, an old bomb shelter used by Sadaka Reut, to start the program. To warm up we had a small game

After the warm-up we started with the actual program. The subject of the day was identity. The first part of the workshop was thinking about what position we normally take when we are in a group and which is the case in this group. This was done by putting our name on a boat. When for example one is at the wheel that could be because he likes to ‘steer’ people into the right direction and motivate them.

The workshop continued with thinking about moments in our lives where we felt like taking action. We tried to summarize these into a few points which our host organisation Sadaka Reut can fight for. A couple examples were racism and sexism.

After this part of the workshop we moved back to the office of Sadaka Reut to have lunch. During the lunch some of us learned how to count in Hebrew, Arabian, Dutch and French. Another experience with the local eating habits tasted like a little angel dancing on our tongues.

When the program started again we were asked to make some fictive presentations in small groups depending on the topics we decided in the previous workshop. During the presentations the groups were secretly watched by other participants on how they coped with personal involvement in their subject. The presentations varied from the island Lesbos suing the Lesbian community to the political crisis in Belgium.

After the short break the participants were criticized by the last group who were following the presentations carefully. The point of this was to show how personal involvement can have an influence on our opinion about a certain topic.

We ended the day by having a Belgian cultural night, where the host organisation learned more about Belgium and its habits in a creative and humoristic way.

In short it was again, one fine day!

Dries (Claessens) and Angelique

Interview with Participant Omri Gershon

2008-08-03T23:49:00.007+02:00

We want you to now more about the participants so during the exchange we are going to let you know the participants by taking a few interviews. This is the first one in a long list.

Name: Omri Gershon
Age: 19
Occupation: volunteer at Sadaka Reut
Favorite food: my mom's pasta (with cheese and cream)

What was your first encounter with Sadaka Reut?

I grew up in the closed environment of the Kibbutz, a left winged Zionist community. The conflict between Jews and Arabs was a non-topic there. When I was 16, I got involved with an organization called Peace Child through my school. This organization does a two year project with teens that have Jewish as well as Palestinian backgrounds. The first year we worked separately and discussed the topics that were important or difficult for us. The second year we made a play together. I liked it, but I felt I wanted to do more, be more active, go outside the protected environment of the school and make real changes.

Then, in 2006, I received a letter from Sadaka about their summer camp. I went and decided I wanted to become a part of this organization, so I did! First I went to the groups (a project of Sadaka Reut in which Jewish and Arab youth meet to discuss their problems in groups), then I joined the commune (intensive leaderschip progrram in which Arab and Jewish youth live together for a year and learn to take an active role in their community) and it has been a great experience up until now.

Were there also some difficult times?

In the commune, life is very intense. Every month we discuss a different topic. One of the last topics was the war of 1948. We went to Hebron and East-Jerusalem and met with Palestinians who talked to us about their experience of that war. It was hard for me, it hit me almost like a bomb and I felt so angry. I couldn't understand why our army had done those things. Me and my friends, we want to live our life, but politics and adult make it so hard while it should be so easy. It's a natural thing, right, to live life?

Yes, it is. So how do you live your life in your free time?

In the weekends I go home to the Kibbutz and spend time with my friends. They know what I do in Sadaka and they respect me for it, but they don't share my beliefs. For me it's OK, I respect them in their choices also. We do regular stuff, we go to parties, listen to music. I like hip-hop, and can break-dance a bit ass well. When I was younger, I studied Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, because I wanted to do it myself.

Last question, because I know our female readers are dying to know: are you single?

Yes. (Unfortunately for our readers this changed during the exchange)

Great! Thank you very much for this interview.

Bert, Klaartje, Omri

1 August: The right frequency for peace

2008-08-03T09:50:00.004+02:00

Today (1/08) members of Um4p and Sadaka Reut started the ten-day exchange in Jaffa, Israel. The first day was all about getting to know each other and getting to know the surroundings.

We started the program at 11 for the fist time because the members of um4p arrived on a plane at midnight. We had a nice breakfast, after which the group leaders explained the program, the intention of the program and some more practical information, like who takes care of breakfast, what the room division is…

After this we played some funny games to get to know the names of the other participants. After an hour of name games and many laughs later, Sami arrived. Sami is an activist for Palestinian rights in Jaffa, he showed us around and gave a very good explanation of the very complex problems that the Israeli society is confronted with in Jaffa. During the tour we witnessed one of these problems ourselves as somebody wanted the group to move away from her home, sending a security guard and shouting out of a fourth story apartment. When this didn’t help and after some more shouting she started calling the police. We decided not to provoke any further reactions and moved along before the police arrived.

We took a longer break after the tour. Then we received explanations about both Sadaka Reut and Um4p, who they are, what they do… After this we went to a Bulgarian restaurant where we had another well cooked meal. We ended the dinner by surprising Ben, a participant from Sadaka Reut, with a cake and a happy birthday song as it was he’s birthday.

After the dinner we went to the Sadaka Reut office and talked about the hopes, fears, motivation and expectations of the participants. The exercise was very important, but the tour took it's toll on the participants and when we finished the session, a big feeling of relief washed over the group, as their was free time for the rest of the day. After coming to the hostel to change the rooms, some people went to the beach, others went to the roof of the hostel where there is a big open sitting space and some of the participants called it a night and went to bed.

Saturday, 19th of april, teambulding um4p

2008-05-07T11:51:00.004+02:00

The day starts with a good breakfast. It has been made by the group that was appointed the previous evening. So we had enough energy to start the day full with activities. The first activity was a familiarisation game. As next we had a few teambuilding games, followed by a number of presentations which had been prepared by groups of two.

For the first game, everybody had to go and sit in a circle. One somebody stood in the middle of it. The aim was to learn all the names of the group. So, the person that sat in the circle had to say a name of somebody else in the circle and the named person had to say another name before he will be tapped by the person in the middle. If the named person could not say a new name before he was taped he had to stand in the middle of the circle. Then when we new all the names, the hobby and education or job were added to it. For example: Johannes, Saxophone, Latin-Science.

The next assignments were teambuilding games. For the first game, there needed to be stretched a string between two piles. It had a height of 1.50 m and it presented an electric wall. Everybody stood on one square of the wall and had to cross one by one. There was nobody on the other site of the wall to catch the first person and the last person had to, with the help of the others on the other site, cross the string alone.

The next teambuilding game was building a tent. I hear you thinking, that can not be hard, but three of us were blindfolded and needed to build the tent while the other three only were allowed to give instructions to the blindfolded persons. We were all surprised what the result was. The tent was just for one person, something nobody expected.

The last teambuilding assignment was to cross the wall between Israel and Palestine, but not for real of course. They had weaved a thread between and around all trees in the forest. We had to follow the thread blindfolded until we came to a little hill and one by one we had to climb it. The persons who were already upstairs were allowed to help the others.

All tasks were a succes.

As last for this day we have the presentations. In the previous meeting everyone had to choose one topics about Israël in pairs. Some of the topics were Jerusalem, History, Refugees, Settlements, Palestinian Society, Israeli Society, Water, Economics, Agriculture,
Separation Wall, Actuality,…

For the morning, midday and evening meals different groups were responsible as well as the dishes.

Everything went according to plan that day, so we could relax a bit in the evening during a couple of parlour games and some music.

Written by Angelique

Photo report of the preparation week in Israël

2008-02-18T18:27:00.045+01:00

The first two days of their arrival, Dries and Steffi have been welcomed and entertained by the members of Baladna. (Photo: members of Baladna, some of their friends, Steffi and Dries)

When the president of Um4p arrived (second photo), Hannah (upper photo on the left) welcomed the group and showed them to the hostel.

The roof of the hostel proved to be a major chill out location.

On Monday and Tuesday when we were getting to know each other and each others organizations we often ventured on the sunny balcony outside the office of sadaka reut for a break or to the restaurant across the street for lunch.

On Tuesday Hannah gave us a political tour of Jaffa and its surroundings.

The tour had a little break on the beach.

During the tour we saw a lot of open spaces where there used to be Palestinian homes or new buildings and buildings that are being constructed on spaces where there used to be Palestinian homes.

On Wednesday we were guided by Omri (fist picture) and other members (second picture) of Sadaka reut's commune to Jerusalem.

When we arrived in Jerusalem we received a guided tour by ICHAD of East Jerusalem and the separation wall.

During the tour we made a few stops with beautiful sights which gave for a good overview along with the explanation of the guide.

We also stopped along the seperation wall.
After the tour we went to a museum of which we have no pictures.

Last on our program for the day was a visit to the old city of Jerusalem.

In the old city we visited the burial place of Jezus Christ.

We also visited the wailing wall, an important religious symbol for the jewish community.

On Thursday we went to the desert to have a guide explain the fate of the unrecognized villages of the Bedouin.

We also went to a village elder to hear he's testimony about the fate of the Bedouin.

Of the last two days there are no more pictures available. because we were working so hard and any pictures would have been of us around a table with papers.

Joost, Steffi, Dries en Olivier

Preparation visit to Israel

2008-02-07T19:19:00.000+01:00

The delegation of UM4P and JES is staying in Jaffa, Israel, for a week and a day. Together with Sadaka Reut we are preparing the program for the summer exchange in August. Time to post a first report after the first few days of hard enjoyable work.

In this first part we were mainly interested in getting to know each other so that everyone would understand their role in the project. We got the chance to learn in details about each organisation and their role in their community and in the broader environment. Finally we did some prospecting on sites which allow us to understand the conflict better and do some prospective work.

The day of arrival consisted of a short personal introduction between the staff of Sadaka Reut and our delegation. It was almost 18 o’clock when we arrived and everybody thought it was a good idea to have an informal meeting.

The second day we began with the more serious topics. The different projects of Sadaka Reut were explained and we met the coordinators and some volunteers of the specific projects.

Tuesday we explained the work of UM4P and of JES vzw and some of our projects. In the afternoon we got a tour in the city of Jaffa and we went to a few different places which have a meaning in the political history of Jaffa.

Yesterday we went to Jerusalem to watch different places we might visit during our 10 days exchange. First we went on a tour with the organisation ICHAD which is a Jewish organisation against the demolishing of homes. They showed the poorer, mostly Arab, neighbourhoods in East-Jerusalem and the separation wall, as well as taking us to the West bank.

Then we had dinner, after which we went to the museum on the seam, with a global exposition of artists about identity, freedom and security. After this visit we went to the old city and visited the church were Jesus Christ is buried and to the (Western) Wall, an important religious symbol for the Jews. Unfortunately we couldn’t go to the Al-Aqsa mosque because on the one hand it was quite late and on the other hand we got signals that it was hard or maybe impossible to get in as non-muslims.

Today we went on a trip to the south of Israel, Negev desert, to find out about the history of the Bedouin. They are a tribe of semi-nomadic desert Arabs who are being discriminated by the Israeli government. As a consequence the inhabitants of 50 Bedouin villages were evicted and many of their homes were destroyed. They were allowed to stay under severe control in area close to the Jordan border where there was almost no possibility to gain electricity, running water or any other basic human need. In a way they are being bullied out of the country. We met a tribe leader who welcomed us in the traditional way of the tribe.

With only three days to go we still have a lot of work to do in the next few days in which we will make the final program of the exchange. Furthermore we will make the practical arrangements for the 10 days we will be staying here in Jaffa during the summer. A full travel journal will be posted next week with more detailed information. In the meantime you can check out the links below to find details about what we saw in these past few days.

Peace from Israel -

Joost, Steffi, Dries, Olivier

http://www.icahd.org/eng/
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre.htm
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque.htm
http://www.olivebranch.com/isreal/jesurwall.htm
http://www.coexistence.art.museum/eng/index.asp
http://www.assoc40.org/

And Sadaka Reut is ... (1) - General view

2008-01-11T14:54:00.000+01:00

‘Sadaka Reut’
Arab-Jewish Youth Partnership

Arab-Jewish relations in Israel have been tense and hostile for decades. Israel’s declaration of independence and recognition as a Jewish state in 1948, providing a solution to the Jewish problem and realizing the dream of the Zionist movement, was construed as a national catastrophe by the Palestinians, who lost their lands and properties and became one of the world’s largest refugee populations. Since then, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict passed through more and less violent phases, both sides never reaching an agreed-upon compromise that might end the conflict and ensure a better future for both peoples.

The complex relations between the Jewish majority and the Palestinian minority in Israel are affected on the one side by the civil inequalities that exist between citizens and on the other by the fact that the national conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has yet to be resolved. We believe that a broad struggle should be fought against all forms of discrimination and for complete civil equality within Israel, while a parallel struggle should seek to end the occupation and bring a just solution to the conflict.

The events of the last five years, whether it be the second Intifada, the Oct. 2000 killings by Israeli police of 13 Arab citizens, the evacuation of the Gaza settlements and the following violence and the war between Israel and Lebanon in summer 2006, have all contributed to increasing the prevalent trends of segregation and discrimination throughout both communities. Moreover, the fact that the Palestinian population of Israel is considered to be the largest weakened sector of Israeli society adds to the already existing tensions. Such circumstances fuel distrust and violence, making Arab-Jewish cooperation for the creation of a joint alternative nearly nonexistent, especially among the younger generation.

Sadaka-Reut was founded in 1983 by a group of Jewish and Arab students sharing the vision of a better future for both communities. The organization works for social and political change in Israel through the promotion of a bi-national, multicultural and egalitarian society based on social justice and solidarity. Sadaka Reut focuses on education and community empowerment, challenging the existing narratives and discourses concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encouraging critical thinking and joint youth activism initiatives. In order to achieve these goals, we bring together groups of Jewish and Arab youth over extended periods of time, allowing them to overcome barriers of fears and stereotypes, while teaching them the importance of community involvement, providing them with valuable leadership skills and, through this process, creating a viable model for Jewish-Arab partnership.

Sadaka Reut operates unique projects in Israel, including Arab-Jewish youth encounter and leadership groups, workshops in high schools across the country, a volunteer commune and leadership training program, community empowerment work in the mixed city of Jaffa and an annual volunteer work camp. All of our activities are designed both to train our activists as agents for social change and empower weakened communities from all sectors of society. Guided by our young, qualified and extremely committed staff and volunteers, our graduates continue working in the social change field, both at Sadaka Reut and in other organizations that promote similar values and goals.

UM4P and JES hold meeting in Antwerp

2007-12-10T17:33:00.000+01:00

On the third of December, a gathering was held by the members of um4p in the buildings of Pax Christi Flanders in Antwerp, Belgium. On the program was an evaluation of the trainings weekend in October, the making of a movie to present ourselves to Sadaka reut and further progress of the project.

The atmosphere was great and the training weekend last month has created a lot of good contacts between people. People reminisced about the weekend they already had and speculated on what the future holds for the project and why they chose to participate. Creative, beautiful and funny, sometimes too ambitious, were the proposals for the making of a video. In the end the group came whit a proposal which was carried unanimously. Arrangements where made to make the video and edit it.

Unfortunately there was absolutely nobody from the West of Flanders because our companions had (and still have) their exams and the visit would take more then two hours in transit.

New ideas for the project were explored: the preparation visit which will take place in the beginning of February will be the next event on the program and since most of the volunteers have exams in january they will have little time to insert new ideas in the project before the preparation visit.

While some other important activities, such as a weekend whit asylum seekers and a weekend whit the French community of Belgium have also been discussed In high spirits the group left to eat … moving for food after moving for peace.

Youth members of UM4P prepare their journey to Israel whit a trainings weekend

2007-11-12T19:52:00.000+01:00

BRUSSELS -- U Move 4 Peace (UM4P), the youth organisation of Pax Christi Flanders, prepares their exchange to

Israel

. During training sessions in Brussels, 17 young people work with two themes: organisational management and media. The knowledge they receive on this weekend, will be shared next summer with Jewish and Arab youth in Israel.

By Karen, Emilie, Jacob, Nele en Marijntje on 10 and 11/11/2007

U Move For Peace jongeren: wie zijn ze, wat drijft hen?

2007-11-11T16:34:00.000+01:00

17 jongeren zijn dit weekend samengekomen in Brussel om hun zomeruitwisseling naar Israël voor te bereiden. Wij duwden vier van hen een microfoon onder de neus.

Naam: Steffi Verbraeken
Leeftijd: 22
Woont in : Antwerpen
Studies: master internationale politiek
En voor de rest: “Ik wil de wereld verbeteren, daarom ben ik ook lid geworden bij UM4P”

“Wat betekent de wereld verbeteren voor mij? Om meer te weten wat er leeft in de wereld, niet zomaar op een of andere manier de wereld leren kennen, daar komen ook conflicten bij. Ik denk dat het een deel van mij is om mensen te willen helpen, als dat kan via een organisatie is dat altijd beter. Individueel kan je wel je vriendin met relatieproblemen helpen, maar als je dat op grotere schaal wilt doen, heeft een organisatie veel meer mogelijkheden en is het efficiënter. Een organisatie heeft meer middelen. Gelijkgezinden leren kennen vind ik ook belangrijk.

Waarom juist voor een uitwisseling naar Israël kiezen? Op de vorige uitwisseling heb ik de Israëlisch-Palestijnse organisatie leren kennen, die we deze zomer bezoeken. Op school leer je natuurlijk wel iets over de toestand in het Midden-Oosten. Maar mensen ontmoeten die dag in dag uit in dat conflict leven, is verrijkend en opende mijn ogen. Je weet dan wel wat er in de boeken staat, maar eigenlijk weet je niets. Je weet niet waar ze dagelijks mee geconfronteerd worden: niet in je eigen taal naar school kunnen gaan, en van die dingen. Ik heb toen heel fijne mensen leren kennen en ik wil die graag terugzien.”

Naam Odile Collinet
Woont in Luik
Leeftijd 23
Studies psychologie

“Het voelt raar aan om als Waalse tussen allemaal Vlamingen te werken, een beetje oncomfortabel, mensen moeten Engels praten omdat ik hier ben, de enige persoon die geen Nederlands kan. Het is niet dat ik denk dat ze dat erg vinden, maar ik vind het lastig, ik voel me er slecht door.

Ik ben als Waalse bij Pax Christi Vlaanderen terechtgekomen toen ik 2 jaar geleden een mailtje heb ontvangen over een uitwisseling tussen Walen en Vlamingen, die in Bulgarije zou doorgaan. De uitwisseling is niet doorgegaan, omdat er geen middelen waren. Maar ik ben toch daar gebleven, omdat ik de mensen en de manier dat ze naar vrede kijken zeer interessant vond. Daarom ben ik dus ook aanwezig op het voorbereidingsweekend.

Ik ben gemotiveerd om hier aan mee te doen, omdat ik een groot belang aan de wereld en aan vrede hecht. Ik wil me minder alleen voelen. Niet alleen in mijn strijd tegen onrecht, maar ik wil mensen ontmoeten en samen werken aan vrede. Ik wil niet egoïstisch zijn, ik wil niet alleen aan mijzelf denken. De afgelopen uitwisseling was een zeer rijke ervaring en ik kijk uit naar de volgende uitwisseling.

Ik vind het belangrijk dat we echt over elkaar leren en onze verschillen als een rijkdom zien.”

Naam: Jacob Vanneste
Woont in: West-Vlaanderen, “op den buiten dus”
Leeftijd: 16, bijna 17
Studies: Latijn Wetenschappen
En voor de rest: “geïnteresseerd in muziek en politiek, in de wereld in het algemeen eigenlijk”
“Ik sta open voor alles. Wat dat betekent? Ik heb niet zomaar vooroordelen als: 'ik ben daar niet in geïnteresseerd of daar ga ik niet geïnteresseerd in zijn'. Ik probeer zoveel mogelijk nieuwe dingen te ontdekken door gewoon open te staan en alles op me af te laten komen.

Hoe ik bij um4p ben terecht gekomen? Mijn tweelingbroer heeft me verteld over de vorige uitwisseling en nam me mee naar een bijeenkomst. Ik was meteen geïnteresseerd om deel te nemen aan het uitwisselingsproject.

Voor mij betekent het heel veel om naar Israël te kunnen gaan en daar aan vredeswerk te kunnen doen. Ik vind het zinvol als persoonlijke ervaring, maar ook voor de buitenwereld. Ik ben nog nooit in het Midden-Oosten geweest. Het is ook een conflictgebied dat me heel erg aanspreekt. Ik wil ook zoveel mogelijk mensen ontmoeten en dat lijkt me de ideale kans.

In België kun je ook nieuwe culturen leren kennen, maar ik denk dat het nog wat anders is als je op de plaats zelf aanwezig bent.”

Naam: Glen Buts
Woont in: Brussel
Leeftijd: 19
Studies: Ingenieurswetenschappen architectuur
“Ik ben bij dit project geraakt dankzij JES, waar ik deze zomer vakantiewerk heb gedaan. JES had me gecontacteerd of ik interesse had in het project naar Israël. Dat sprak mij wel aan en vroeg hen of ze mij wat meer informatie konden zenden.”

“Waarom het mij interesseerde? Het is een eenmalige kans en ik geloof dat het een unieke ervaring zal zijn om jongeren uit Israël, in het conflictgebied, te ontmoeten en er mee samen te werken.”

Vlaamse jongeren naar Israël

2007-11-11T15:44:00.000+01:00

BRUSSEL -- You Move For Peace (UM4P), de jongerenwerking van Pax Christi, bereidde zich dit weekend voor op een uitwisselingsreis naar Israël. Tijdens trainingssessies in Brussel werkten 17 jongeren rond twee thema’s: organisatie en media. De kennis die ze daar opdeden, gaan ze komende zomer delen met Israëlische en Palestijnse jongeren.

Iedere zomer gaan UM4P-leden op uitwisseling naar een conflictgebied. Eerder trokken ze al naar Kosovo en Noord-Ierland en zetten ze vorig jaar een tiendaags project op poten met jongeren uit verschillende landen. Daaruit groeide een samenwerking met Sadaka Reut uit Israël. Sadaka Reut, twee woorden die respectievelijk ‘vriendschap’ betekenen in het Arabisch en het Hebreeuws, is een organisatie uit Jaffa (Tel Aviv) die werkt met Israëlische en Palestijnse jongeren. Bovendien slaan ze dit jaar de handen in elkaar met JES, een stadslabo met expertise rond stedelijke jeugdcultuur.

“De voornaamste doelstelling van het project is de wederzijdse versterking van de organisaties. Daarnaast worden de deelnemers ondergedompeld in de cultuur, verdiepen ze zich in het Israëlisch-Palestijns conflict en krijgen ze heel wat media-ervaring mee als bagage”, zegt Olivier Forges, verantwoordelijke van UM4P. Op een eerste voorbereidingsweekend worden ze ondersteund door Indymedia onder de vorm van workshops rond journalistiek en fotografie. Ze leren bovendien hoe de structuur van een organisatie in elkaar zit en hoe je die kan versterken en professionaliseren.

“Het is zeldzaam dat een organisatie in Israël de beide bevolkingsgroepen samenbrengt en het zal voor onze jongeren ongetwijfeld een unieke ervaring zijn om te zien op welke manier dit gebeurt. Het lijkt ons uitermate boeiend om in gesprek te treden met de beide partijen.”, aldus Olivier Forges.

Naast twee voorbereidingsweekends staat het programma van de uitwisseling zelf nog niet vast en dit is een bewuste keuze. Het is voor UM4P en JES immers belangrijk dat jongeren inspraak hebben en de kans krijgen om actief te participeren in het hele proces van dit vredebevorderend pluralistisch initiatief. De uitwisselingsreis is echter geen eindpunt van het project. Tijdens de Vlaamse Vredesweek in oktober 2008 komen twee afgevaardigden van Sadaka Reut naar hier en wordt het resultaat van het hele proces aan het grote publiek bekendgemaakt.