Palestinian Peace Activist on Coexistence After Oct. 7: Aziz Abu Sarah

Understanding the Trauma

• 💔 The current trauma for both Israelis and Palestinians is immense, making it difficult to bridge the divide after October 7th.
• 😔 Many Israelis who previously supported peacebuilding have hardened their hearts, feeling their world ended on October 7th.
• 😥 Palestinians are grappling with the loss of children and widespread destruction, questioning how they can move forward.

The Cycle of Violence

• 🔁 The alternative to peace is an eternal conflict, a cycle of violence where one side retaliates against the other.
• ⚖️ Israel holds more power, but this dynamic has led to repeated waves of violence, not lasting peace.
• 🕊️ Past peace efforts have often fallen apart, with choices leaning more towards war than peace.

Pathways to Coexistence

• 🤝 Despite the trauma, coexistence is possible, as demonstrated by personal friendships between Israelis and Palestinians.
• 🏡 The reality is that both groups are