OneVoice speakers promote Middle East peace

Dalia Labadi and Sagi Rasmovich both lost their best friends in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They said while their experiences initially consumed them with hate and anger, they found peace in trying to unite Israelis and Palestinians to end the violence.

The two are similar in many ways, but one prominent differences separates them: Labadi is Palestinian and Rasmovich is Israeli. The two came together Monday to discuss their experiences in each territory through OneVoice, a grassroots Israeli-Palestinian group that aims to peacefully end the conflict.

Bruins for Israel and the United Arab Society co-sponsored the event.

“This event isn’t meant to be a representation of the entire conflict. This is to bring the sides together to discuss the issue and see what we have in common and what we can do together,” said Daniela Karlin, senior vice president of Bruins for Israel.

Dina Dabbous, president of the United Arab Society, also stressed the importance of educating students on the matter.

“It’s good to educate people who aren’t aware of the conflict between the two groups and see where both groups are coming from,” Dabbous said.

Labadi and Rasmovich, who were brought up and still live in the West Bank and Israel, respectively, are in the United States to share their experiences and promote OneVoice.

Rasmovich said he joined the Israeli army after high school, as most Israelis are required to serve between the ages of 18 and 21.

He said one morning at 4 a.m. he received a phone call and learned that a Palestinian had killed his best friend.

“After, I was full of anger and revenge, lots of thoughts were going through my mind,” Rasmovich said. “You couldn’t find anyone who wasn’t affected by the conflict.”

After he completed his army duties, he traveled for two years to “release pressure.” He said when in other countries, he constantly found himself defending Israel against negative stereotypes.

He said people he encountered associated blood and fighting with all of Israel because of the media, and as a result he realized he wanted to be an activist. When he returned from his journey he joined OneVoice.

Labadi shared a similar story that also ended in her becoming an activist. She said she was in college when she learned her brother had been shot, and later on in college she was told that her best friend had been killed. She said she lost control when she heard the news.

“I would wish I could wake up and find no Israelis on this earth,” she said.

But she said she soon let go of that notion and realized fighting and crying would not get the Palestinian people anywhere, so she joined OneVoice.

The two said they shared such stories to show that despite their suffering, they both eventually realized uniting for a solution is the key to peace.

OneVoice’s international program manager, Miriam Asnes, explained how the organization is working with the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

The group first started with “consensus building,” where it asked both groups to fill surveys regarding possible solutions to the problem. Asnes said a majority of people had moderate views about the conflict and wanted change.

She added that many people said they wanted both Israel and Palestine to recognize one another.

Along with these surveys, the group hosted leadership training for youths, where they provided conflict resolution and tried to find a common stance.

The group continues to host speakers, participate in town hall discussions, and hold demonstrations.

“We’re fighting for the next generation,” Asnes said.

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