Team member Sulaiman Khatib, was just 14 when he and a friend stabbed some Israeli soldiers. Khatib was arrested and sent to prison for 10 years. He spent most of his time behind bars learning Hebrew and English, reading about Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi and studying the histories of other conflicts, leading him to conclude:I mention this because this is the exactly the type of peacebuilding activities that will lead to both sides coming to a just and fair solution that will respect the aspirations of both peoples. It is the type of activity that is rejected by the BDS leadership, as I wrote about here.
“I believe there is no military solution to the conflict. I believe nonviolence is the best way for our struggle, for our freedom and for peace on both sides.”
He is the co-founder and director of the Al-Quds Association for Democracy and Dialogue.
In addition, I mention it because our food coop brings together people from all backgrounds. The food coop, too, is a peacebuilder. This function is exactly what folks trying to bring the BDS referendum to the coop threaten to disrupt.
Like always Barbara thank you for finding and posting this.
ReplyDeleteavishay