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COMBATANTS FOR PEACE...
FORMER ISRAELI SOLDIERS AND PALESTINIAN MILITANTS JOIN FORCES FOR PEACE
Former Israeli combat soldier Avner Wishnitzer talks about Combatants for Peace and
why such an inspirational and positive group of former soldiers and militants have
decided to join our coalition of peace:
“The "Combatants for Peace"movement was started jointly by Palestinians and Israelis,
who have taken an active part in the cycle of violence; Israelis as soldiers in the
Israeli army (IDF) and Palestinians as part of the violent struggle for Palestinian
freedom. After brandishing weapons for so many years, and having seen one another
only through weapon sights, we have decided to put down our guns, and to fight for
peace.
We believe that only by joining forces, will we be able to end the cycle of violence,
the bloodshed and the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. We no
longer believe that it is possible to resolve the conflict between the two peoples
through violent means; therefore we declare that we refuse to take part any more
in the mutual bloodletting.
We will act only by non-violent means so that each side will come to understand the
national aspirations of the other side. We see dialogue and reconciliation as the
only way to act in order to terminate the Israeli occupation, to halt the settlement
project and to establish a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem,
alongside the State of Israel.
“Combatants for Peace"is specifically concerned about the younger generation. Today's
children, who grow up in an atmosphere of hate and fear, will be tomorrow's combatants
and perpetuate the circle of violence we seek to break.
One of the main goals of our movement is to familiarize children and youngsters with
the reality of people from the other side of the separation wall: their fears, their
pain and their hopes for a better future. By giving "The Enemy"a face, a name and
a family we try to find a way around prejudice and ignorance and to offer the children
an exchange of words, rather than an exchange of bullets.
In light of our firm belief that the children our future, we are delighted to cooperate
with Children of Peace. It is our hope that this collaboration will indeed promote
a better world for the children of our two peoples.”
