http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhP5RoQVNlc
Robi Damelin and Bassam Aramin are leading members and spokespeople of The Parents Circle, an organization of more than 600 bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who have all lost loved ones in the conflict between the two countries but who have turned their pain into action and education to build a reconciliation process with one another.
In March 2002, Robi Demelin’s 28 year old son, David, was shot by a sniper while serving in the Israeli army. Robi was devastated, but knew right away that she did not want revenge for her son’s death. Rather, she wanted to make peace and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Bassam Aramin has been involved in the Palestinian conflict since he was 17, including seven years spent in prison after he was caught planning an attack on Israeli troops. Now, however, Bassam, like Robi, chooses to fight for peace. He remains opposed to the Israeli occupation, but he is now exclusively nonviolent, even since his 10 year old sister, Abir, was killed by Israeli soldiers.
Robi and Bassam came to Fieldston on October 3rd as part of a larger trip in the United States, which will include a screening of their new documentary in New York. Two Sided Story is a documentary about 27 Palestinians and Israelis with different perspectives and opinions about the situation in Israel and Palestine. The film is hopeful, depicting conflict resolution based on ordinary people reaching out to one another and building a better future for all.
The presentation at Fieldston included a clip of the new movie as well as presentations by Ms. Damelin and Mr. Aramin, and an open question-and-answer session.
