Overcoming grief, Palestinians, Israelis work together for peace

Published: 2004-11-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Nadwa Sarandah is a Palestinian who lives in Jerusalem. Her sister, Nyla, was a U.S.-trained health care provider serving Palestinians in Israel when she was stabbed to death by an Israeli on Feb. 11, 1999. Robi Damelin is a Jew who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. Her son, David, was a 19-year-old student serving in the Israeli army reserves when he was killed by a Palestinian sniper on March 3, 2002. The two women have little in common except their deep pain and agony because of the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Another thing they share is the desire to spare other families the grief and profound sense of loss they both endure. Sarandah and Damelin have joined together in an extraordinary effort to bring peace, reconciliation and understanding to both Palestinians and Israelis. Damelin and Sarandah -- and about 500 other Israeli and Palestinian families like them -- have joined the Parents Circle Bereaved Families Forum. The women were in Washington in late October at a conference highlighting the work of their group.

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