Young Israeli and Palestinian activists develop peace agenda in Leysin

Sixteen Israeli and Palestinian activists spent 10 days discussing peace in the Middle East in Leysin, in the Vaud Alps, with the goal of developing a joint action programme for peace, SRF reports.

The participants were invited by Coexistences, a Lausanne-based association that promotes Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. They discussed their futures and how the conflict affects their lives.

All had completed the School of Freedom, a training programme run by Combatants for Peace, an independent Israeli-Palestinian organisation that aims to develop a new generation of leaders and achieve a non-violent resolution to the conflict.

For Bisan, a 20-year-old Palestinian from Jenin in the West Bank, the meeting was her first chance to meet Israelis and live with them for several days. “It moves me deeply to be able to engage in dialogue with them,” she said.

She spoke with Illay, a 20-year-old Israeli who supports “preventive presence” to protect Palestinian shepherds from attacks by Israeli settlers. He said many people in Israel, the West Bank and Palestine do not believe peace is possible, but he continues to act on his convictions and hopes they will have an effect.

Younes, a 23-year-old Palestinian studying in Ramallah in the West Bank, said it was difficult to make a minority view of peace heard. He believes young people can bring change by building awareness among their peers through dialogue.

Facilitators and translators helped the group communicate. Abigail, a 27-year-old Israeli who works for Combatants for Peace, said the meeting offered a chance to address both curiosity and a lack of knowledge. Bisan noted that many Palestinians have never travelled before, while Israelis generally have little close contact with Palestinians. In Leysin, she said, they shared everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning.