As the conflict continues, Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom remains a model for peace and shared society, not just in the eyes of international media, but within the country. During the recent People’s Peace Summit, held in Jerusalem in the beginning of June, WASNS featured prominently.
Visitors came to the village in the framework of the summit, where they enjoyed a tour of the village at sunset, dinner, discussion and a film, including a discussion with the director.
The next day, a Friday, the main session of the Summit opened with 16 leaders of peace efforts and outreach walking onto the main stage. Each presented, in a sentence or two, their vision for peace. “We don’t have children to spare,” said Samah Salaime, village member and codirector of the Educational Institutions, in Arabic and Hebrew. Her words were greeted with applause.
The summit, which brought together members of over 60 peace organizations in the county, was a reminder to all who attended, including a contingent from WASNS, that there is a community of peace-lovers who are working toward the same goal – that of peace.
Protesting for peace
Protesting the war takes many forms. Village members participate as individuals and as a group. Protests take place daily in the country and where there are protests, WASNS members are involved.
WASNS members participated in force in the Partnership for Peace coalition march to the Gaza border on Friday, June 6, in protest of the starvation policy and the wanton killing.
Dealing with war
When the surprise attack on Iran began, schools were closed, as were most workplaces. The village leadership and resilience team sprang into action. On the one hand, the security team was in constant contact with the local council, home front command and police. On the other, the team takes time to check up on members and find ways to ensure they are safe both physically and emotionally.
Parents of the school children organized activities and they managed to open the NADI for short periods and even the pool for small groups over the weekend.
“These initiatives are essential to our mental well-being and reflect the deep mutual support within our community,” wrote Municipal Society chairman Eldad Joffe.
The village dialogue sessions have resumed, in part, as a way to leverage the model of shared society to promote peace in the country and region, and to work on the outreach capacity of the community.
