Thoughts: I Saw Peace and Hope – Not War
My Journey Into Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
by Trudi Morrison
Looking through the photos I took in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, (OPT) the Old Cities and the new cities, I saw children and adults from various cultures, living and working side by side, engaging each other in conversation. It doesn’t mean that war and hate do not exist there; it is just what I saw.
That hope and peace exist at all in the Middle East is extraordinary. It was not the impression I had before going there. The little known fact that there actually are a number of peace organizations working with the youth and families of Israeli Jewish and Arab citizens, and Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is also extraordinary.
In the midst of producing the Generation Connect Radio show, I listened to the voices of the Young Adults from Israel, the OPT and the United States. They were excited to ask questions about each others lives and to talk about their experiences: going to the movies, going to the mall, hanging out with friends, living with discrimination, living with war in a divided country, not living with war in a very big country.
Most of all, they were excited about the election of President Obama. To all of them, President Obama means hope. That they could be honest about their hopes and dreams and the day-to-day challenges they all face, is the reason to encourage youth everywhere to have their own voice and be heard.
The next generation, Generation Connect as these young adults have named themselves, is our best resource and our hope for a better future.
To Gina, Maya, Mickey, Riley, Salam and Hagar, Layan, Maria, Noam, Tamara, Yara and Yazan: Thank you for bringing me back to Earth, reminding me of what hope feels like. I now have hope for a better future because of you.
Peace, Harmony and Good Wishes,
Trudi
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