Brussels, 28/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL, Italy) president of the European Parliament Development Committee, representatives from the movement “Fighters for Peace” came to the European Parliament in Brussels on 21 February to hold a discussion. This organisation brings together Palestinians and Israelis, often former soldiers or prisoners, who, after having brandished arms over a number of years, have decided to fight in a non-violent way for peace.
Bassam Aramin explained that dialogue and non-violence was the only way to obtain peace and end the occupation. This Palestinian and former prisoner of the Israeli army began his struggle against the occupation when still very young: “At 15 I was already tying Palestinian flags to the trees and traffic lights. Unfortunately, in my school, all the trees were cut down! So I began to set up a local military group with my friends”. This was behind his seven year prison sentence where he experienced “torture and ill treatment”. (He said that this made him think about the images one can see today at Abu Ghraib). After six months of dialogue and exchanges with the Israelis, Bassam Aramin opened his eyes. He explained that one began to consider one's adversary “as a human being” and to “understand why he is fighting”. Zohar Shapira is a former Israeli army commander and explained that after having believed in his leaders for years he saw the situation deteriorate and decided to stop everything. He explained that, “I saw a prisoner with his hands tied behind his back being tortured. I said to myself that if I didn't stop now, I never would be able to”. He added, “I think it is much more effective way to attain peace and re-establish trust between the two people, by discussing with Bassam Aramin”. The movement “Fighters for Peace” is fighting to end the occupation, end the settlements and set up a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital. Elazar Elchanan, a young Israeli said that civil society had an extremely important role to play in this struggle. He stressed that civil society could “influence decision-makers” by street protests. MEPs are asking themselves how the EP would help support these pacifist forces. Mr Shapira explained that the MEPs could help by attending the launch of their movement on 10 April at the University of Jerusalem (separated in two by the wall) because this would “dissuade the Israeli army from declaring our demonstration illegal and therefore banning it”.