As part of many initiatives that happened globally, on October 6, 7, and 8, our international community gathered online each day at 2:00pm ET/9:00pm Jerusalem Time. Through these three virtual gatherings, we sought to establish a unified ritual space to process grief, confront the systems of oppression that perpetuate immeasurable suffering, and reframe the crisis in Israel and Palestine by fostering a shared vision of reconciliation, justice, and collective actions to bring about peace.
The virtual gatherings were facilitated by Nonviolence International, Parents Circle Families Forum/American Friends of Parents Circle Families Forum, and Combatants for Peace/American Friends of Combatants for Peace.
Facilitators on October 6:
(Moderated by Sami Awad)
Amira Hass: Author, Israeli journalist, and Haaretz correspondent for the Occupied Territories. Since the early 1990s, she has reported on the human impact of conflict, having lived in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Rawan Roshni: Palestinian/Balkan activist and artist based in Jordan. Through her music and workshops, she promotes empowerment and healing in the SWANA region, focusing on conflict transformation and community building.
Ahmed Alnaouq: Gazan journalist and the co-founder of We Are Not Numbers. He holds a Master’s degree in international journalism and co-founded Border Gone, a media project sharing Gaza’s stories in Hebrew.
Facilitators on October 7:
(Moderated by Shiri Ourian)
Bassam Aramin: Incarcerated at 17, Bassam spent 7 years in Israeli jails. He later studied history and earned an MA in Holocaust studies. He joined the Parents Circle after losing his 10-year-old daughter, Abir, who was killed by an Israeli border policeman outside her school.
Anat Marnin: Born in Israel as the youngest sister of two brothers. Her life changed dramatically when both brothers were killed in the Yom Kippur War on October 7, 1973. This profound loss led her to the Parents Circle, where she promotes peace and reconciliation.
Special Message from Ma'ayan Inon: A bereaved Israeli daughter sharing her insights on loss and healing.
Facilitators on October 8:
(Moderated by Miriam Turmalin & Mai Shahin)
Noam Enbar: Singer and composer, bringing music to peacebuilding efforts.
Hannen Sabbah: Palestinian nonviolent activist and organizer from Gaza.
Souli Khatib: Co-founder of CfP, Souli was sentenced to 15 years in prison at 14 yrs old, serving 10.5 years. During his incarceration, he participated in hunger strikes and studied nonviolent resistance, shaping his commitment to collective liberation.
Chen Alon: Israeli lecturer and activist, former combatant and co-founder of CfP, co-resisting to end the occupation.
In addition to joining us online, we encouraged our global community to take action and organize their own in-person gatherings throughout those days—community vigils, sharing circles, sit-ins, peace walks, days of fasting, and humanitarian efforts. We wore black ribbons or armbands as symbols of our shared grief and commitment to collective liberation.
Together, we reminded one another that we are the change-makers we have been waiting for. We are grateful to all those who joined us for Every Life, A Universe: Global Days of Remembrance and Action.
