Yet in the midst of these daily horrors, I came across something that gives me cause to hope. I was reading an online newsletter that mentioned an organization called Roots and included a link to their website. Their mission is Fostering a grassroots movement of understanding, nonviolence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians. Click here to go to their website. Their story goes back to 2014 when relationships began between a group of Israelis and Palestinians on the West Bank. They summarize their work as follows:
We are a unique network of local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see each other as the partners we both need to make changes to end our conflict. Based on a mutual recognition of each People’s connection to the Land, we are developing understanding and solidarity despite our ideological differences. Roots is a place where local peoples can take responsibility. Our work is aimed at challenging the assumptions our communities hold about each other, building trust and creating a new discourse around the conflict in our respective societies. This is a grassroots and local model for making change — from the bottom up.
In the face of the recent horrific violence in Israel-Palestine, it is easy to despair and dismiss a group like Roots as too small and insignificant to make a real difference. However, the power of God through people committed to mutual understanding and nonviolence should not be underestimated. Please take a few minutes to watch the video posted below in which one of the leaders of Roots explains their message and mission as part of accepting a recent inter-faith peace building award. You can also click here for a longer video called Peacemakers in a Time of War in response to the current violence in Israel-Palestine.