Common Ground in America for Peace in the Middle EastMission: Common Ground in America for Peace in the Middle East is an interfaith 501©3 organization that donates U.S. humanitarian aid – raised through mosques, temples, churches and community groups – to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza in coordination w/ the Palestine Relief Association, an international NGO w/ an office in Jenin, and the Gaza Community Mental Health Program (www.gcmhp.org). Current PRA humanitarian aid programs (see Relief Programs) are managed by Irshad Women’s Cultural Center in Jenin, with outreach to local NGOs in other West Bank cities. Common Ground also facilitates interfaith dialogue among U.S. Muslims, Jews and Christians and (via speakerphone) among American audiences and the directors of the Palestine Relief Association and Rabbis for Human Rights-Israel (www.rhr.israel.net & www.rhr-na.org). Interfaith Action & Dialogue: By contributing interfaith aid, Americans manifest compassion for Palestinians at a time when U.S. compassion is in doubt. A tool of “soft power," not military "hard power" (see Values and Viewpoints of Common Ground/U.S. Foreign Policy on About CGAPME page), U.S. aid can help assuage anti-Americanism, win hearts and minds for moderation and diminish the resentment that fuels terrorism. Also, by acting cooperatively Americans from different cultures can build empathy, trust and mutual respect and open the door to dialogue regarding the essential elements of a just and lasting Middle East peace. It is presumed that dialogue participants will hold diverse views and may not agree on critical issues while, at the same time, they share a commitment to universal human values. Considering the differences in cultural narrative that constitute the Israeli/Palestinian crisis, the goal of interfaith dialogue is to explore differing experiences and perceptions to build understanding between “self” and “other." We recognize every human being as a child of God and seek opportunities for cooperation, shared belief and partnership in pursuit of justice and peace for all. Topics of concern include distinguishing resistance to occupation from violence misperceived as racist to better understand the root causes of Palestinian terrorism, and acknowledging the history of European anti-Semitism, the fact of the Jewish Holocaust and the relationship between Jewish fear and the desire for a Jewish state. Interfaith Aid: The concept of interfaith aid is founded on the intrinsic commonality, interdependence, and fundamental equality shared by all human beings -- what Mahatma Gandhi called our "all-human identity." Citing strong economic ties between Palestine and Israel, Palestinians affirm their equality and interdependence with Israelis and seek to establish common ground, justice, and a lasting peace. The Boston Globe Advocates U.S. Aid to Palestine: In light of ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, a 4/18/06 Boston Globe editorial, entitled The Tel Aviv Atrocity, voices support for continuing U.S. aid to Palestine. "The only way to prevent a descent into the inferno of vendetta," the Globe states, "is to pursue a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. In the near term, this means that Israel, the United States, and the European Union should not cut off humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. An economic blockade of the Palestinian people is almost certain to magnify the rage and despair that the terrorist factions feed upon." A Chance to Help: To heal the Israeli/Palestinian crisis, both the Palestinian people and the Israeli people need empathy and appropriate support. By manifesting American compassion for Palestinians (at a time when U.S. compassion is in doubt), American interfaith aid can help to diminish Palestinian rage and despair, defuse the threat of terrorism, and, with cross-cultural dialogue, promote understanding, cooperation, trust and mutual respect among Americans, Palestinians and Israelis. Interfaith aid also provides opportunities for partnerships among U.S. mosques, temples and churches. Palestine Relief Association Programs supported by Common Ground: Program # 1 (current) – Humanitarian aid for food, clothing, medicine and medical treatment for poor families and individuals (w/ aid disbursed through vouchers, not cash, by Irshad Women's Center) Program # 2 (pending) – A non-profit clothing repair industry, where defective new/used clothes (donated by individuals, shops or factories) are repaired and sold to the poor at minimum cost, providing a charitable service and employment for local women (managed by Irshad Women's Center) Program # 3 (pending) – The Bader Youth Program (in Arabic bader means “being the first to suggest new ideas”) w/ classes in computer/Internet, theater/psychodrama, English language and creative arts. To promote interfaith cooperation, classes will be coordinated w/ Sharrik Youth Center and the Israeli-founded Freedom Theatre in Jenin. Board of Directors: Dr. Malik Khan, President of the Islamic Center of Boston (www.icbwayland.org) Endorsers: About the Founder/President: S. Rainsford Rouner, MSW, is an American human rights activist and clinical social worker. In October 2002, while serving as a field coordinator for Rabbis for Human Rights, he lived with Palestinians in Jama'in in the West Bank and worked with Israeli and International Solidarity Movement peace activists to protect Palestinian farmers from attacks by Israeli settlers. In November and December 2002 and April, May and June 2003, he provided interrnational observation/protection, food delivery and access to medical services to Palestinians in Jenin refugee camp threatened by military attack, detention, home occupation or home demolition. He also facilitated cross-cultural dialogue between Israeli peace groups and leaders of Jenin camp and arranged for Palestinian representatives to address Israeli peace conferences in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem by speakerphone. A Christian, he has fasted with Muslim friends in Jenin during Ramadan, celebrated Passover with Rabbi Arik Ascherman and his family in Jerusalem and observed Palm Sunday with Bishop Riah Abu El Assal, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, and Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. |
Akram Abu Sabah, an administrator of humanitarian services in Jenin camp featured in the film "Jenin Jenin" -- Hear Akram's appeal for interfaith cooperation in the Featured Video Clip on the Interfaith Aid page. ---
Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Director of Rabbis for Human Rights, confronts an Israeli settler (a follower of Jewish supremist Meir Kahanah) in a Palestinian olive grove in the West Bank. ---
A Palestinian family sits beside their home demolished by the Israeli military. ---
Israeli peace activists with Palestinian women in Jama'in, West Bank ---
Omar Abu Nassi, a school teacher in Jenin camp -- Omar's son was killed after he attacked and killed an Israeli to avenge the killing of his best friend by the Israeli army while the two boys were walking to school. "We don't want anymore heroes," Omar said. "But to end the cycle of retaliation, the Israeli occupation must end." He shook his head with tears in his eyes. "The Jewish father's loss is as great as my own," he said. ---
A big sister looks after her younger siblings in Jenin camp.
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Ground in America for Peace in the Middle East 24 Trowbridge Street, Belmont, MA 02478 Telephone: (617) 686-0892 office@commongroundapi.org |