Since the Elders were founded they have closely followed events in the Middle East. They recently visited the region for the first time as a group to listen to the people affected by the conflict and to offer their support to all those working for peace.
Here they share their thoughts and impressions from the visit and invite people they have met to tell their stories and join the discussion.
The Elders have condemned the reported killing by Israeli forces of more than a dozen people who were attempting to deliver relief supplies to the Gaza strip by sea. More »
Lakhdar Brahimi recently chaired a panel discussion in London with two members of the Goldstone inquiry, Professor Christine Chinkin and Colonel Desmond Travers, a former member of Israel’s Knesset, Ami Ayalon, and Palestinian lawyer Karma Nabulsi. Here, he answers questions from the Elders’ team on some of the issues raised by the speakers and the audience. More »
February 19th saw a double celebration at the weekly protest that has become the hallmark of the popular struggle against the Wall and the settlements. More »
There has been a troubling increase in the detention of those involved in peaceful protests against the separation barrier between the West Bank and Israel. Since May 2008, over 140 activists have been arrested in Ni'ilin and Bil’in, two villages through which the wall is built. Most of the detainees are Palestinians, but Israeli and foreign demonstrators have also been subjected to Israeli reprisals. More »
Immediately following the end of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last year, Israeli Human Rights organisation B'Tselem gathered 15 young volunteers, mostly students starting their studies in communication or journalism, gave them video cameras, and asked them to document everyday life around them. More »
Words cannot describe what an honor and pleasure it was for me to accompany the Elders on their visit to Bil'in. More importantly, they had such an impact on the village and on the leaders of its brave non-violent movement to resist the occupation. More »
This summer, six Elders – Ela Bhatt, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (leader of the delegation), Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu - travelled to Israel and the Palestinian Territories to listen to the people affected by the conflict and to offer our support to all those working for peace. More »
Following the publication of the Goldstone Report on human rights violations committed during the Gaza conflict, Mary Robinson has called for a full and fair debate of the report's findings. More »
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to be at a halt. No negotiations are taking place, and even when there are 'talks' and meetings between the sides it seems like no one believes in the next step honest negotiations – the question is why? Can we do something to change this pattern? More »
A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to speak with The Elders. I came as a representitive of Israeli society. Most Israelis feel that people around the world do not understand that Israeli society suffers as well because of the conflict. I am not making a comparison between the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians; all I can say is that both sides suffer from the conflict. More »
Messages for Peace
- Name: Alia
- Location: Austin, TX