Alternative service to honor Israeli, Arab victims of conflict

Event organized by 'Combatants for Peace' expected to draw hundreds of bereaved Israelis, Palestinians. Killed IDF soldier's sister: I know there are those who believe Remembrance Day is not the time to recognize victims on the other side

Rona Tal|Published: 04.24.12 , 18:24

A joint memorial ceremony is scheduled to be held Tuesday night in commemoration of the Israeli and Palestinians victims of the conflict.

The ceremony is organized by "Combatants for Peace" for the seventh consecutive year.

Members of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who "promote dialogue, reconciliation and non-violence" are expected to speak at the ceremony, which will be hosted by Shira Geffen. Some 1,500 people took part in last year's event, but even more are expected to attend Tuesday's ceremony at "Hangar 11" in Tel-Aviv's port.

Benny Geffen, whose son Eliav was killed in 1975 while serving in an elite Golani Brigade unit, is expected to speak at the event, as is east Jerusalem resident Muira Jilani, whose husband Ziad was shot dead in 2003 by Border Guard officers who suspected he was trying to run them over.

During the ceremony, a short video will be aired in honor of Mustafa al-Tamimi, who died of wounds he sustained when he was struck in the head by a tear gas canister during a demonstration against the West Bank security barrier in his village Nabi Saleh.

Alon Olarchik, Ahinoam Nini and Gil Dor, Dana Vishinsky (whose brother Lior was killed on the Philadelphi Route in 2004) and Miriam Tokan, Shirana – the Jaffa Women’s Chorus, and the Ruth Kanner Theater Group are expected to perform.

"I've attended this alternative memorial service for the past two years and found that it supports my commitment - as a member of a bereaved family - to work towards ending the conflict," said Ayelet Harel of Givatayim, whose brother Yuval was killed during the first Lebanon war.

"The myth that the other side yearns for the death of Israeli children is just that – a myth," she said. "I realize there are those who believe Remembrance Day is not the time to recognize the victims on the other side, but I disagree. On a day such as this it is important to send the message that there are people who are working together to change reality."

Harel, 46, is a member of the Parents Circle - Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 600 bereaved families. The group recently launched the "Crack in the Wall" project, which is aimed at providing a platform for "conversation and engagement" between Palestinians and Israelis using social platforms.

Jilani, who is also a PCFF member, said, "It is terrible to live under occupation. I came from a democratic society – I am originally from Barbados and I have lived in America – but I experience the occupation just as the Palestinians do. After my husband was killed I decided to begin wearing a hijab. I never felt threatened by the Palestinians. They treat me like a sister."

Israelis are expected to hold a demonstration outside the event hall. A similar rally was held during last year's alternative memorial service.