Pacifists Robi Damelin and Layla Al Shekh will tell the university community about their experience of peace and war. Robi Damelin is Israeli and Layla Al Shekh is Palestinian. Both are active in the organization Parents’ Circle – Families Forum, which brings together more than 700 families and brings together relatives of victims of enemy fire and promotes dialogue between them.
Robi and Layla both lost a child in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From their pain they were able to draw the strength not to fall into hatred and the temptation of a dull revenge, testifying with their concrete example a possible path of coexistence and peace.
PROGRAMME
17.00 Introduction
17.15 Relations and debate
18.00 Question time
Musical interludes with projection of photographs by Tiziana Arici, portraying women walking for peace in different countries around the world.
Speakers: Robi Damelin, Layla Al Sheikh
Robi Damelin
Was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1945.
She emigrated to Israel in 1967. Before that, she and her family had been involved in the anti-apartheid movement.
In March 2002, Mrs Damelin’s son David was killed in Hebron by a sniper while serving as a reservist. David was 28 years old and was completing a master’s degree in Philosophy of Education at Tel Aviv University, believing that education could make a difference in Israel. After David’s death, Robi felt a strong urge to do something to prevent other parents from experiencing the terrible pain of losing a child to the conflict. She is involved in organization Parents’ Circle – Families Forum.
Layla Al Sheikh
A Palestinian, 46, studied economics, prefers numbers to words and has a calm, almost shy character. Born and raised in Jordan, she moved to Bethlehem after her marriage. On April 11, 2002, her eight-month-old baby Qusay developed a respiratory infection after inhaling tear gas fired during an Israeli incursion. His parents tried to take him to the hospital, located just twenty minutes away. It took them four hours because the soldiers voluntarily detained them at checkpoints. Too long for Qusay, who died 48 hours later. She is involved in organization Parents’ Circle – Families Forum.
The meeting is open to all and it will be possible to follow the event at the following Teams Link.
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