Rethinking conflict: Visit to Northern Ireland with bereaved mothers from the Parents Circle

I had the pleasure and honor to be a guest of Rethinking Conflict, an organization that was founded in 2015 by the Rev. Dr. Gary Mason. The organization seeks to model the principles of the historic Good Friday Agreement to promote peace building and reconciliation in Northern Irish society.

You can read about Rethinking Conflict and its inspirational and inspiring founder here: https://www.rethinkingconflict.com/

The speakers in the panel about victimhood and victimization were Layla Alsheikh and Robi Damelin, bereaved mothers from Palestine and Israel who became peace activists. You can read about their heartbreaking stories in the website of the Parents Circle Families Forum (PSFF), whose members identify with "a call to prevent bereavement, to promote dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation and peace":

Layla Alsheikh, who lost her son Qusay:

https://www.theparentscircle.org/stories/layla-alsheikh/ (Hebrew)

https://www.theparentscircle.org/ar/stories/layla-alsheikh-3/ (Arabic)

https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/stories/layla-alsheikh-2/ (English)

Robi Damelin, who lost her son David:

https://www.theparentscircle.org/stories/robi-damelin/ (Hebrew)

https://www.theparentscircle.org/ar/stories/robi-damelin_arb/ (Arabic)

https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/stories/robi-damelin_eng/ (English)

As part of the visit, we met with Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland, and with victims of the violence in Northern Ireland who kindly shared their personal stories with us. Here are some pictures from the visit: