Peace activists express hope for better future at joint Israeli-Palestinian memorial event

Many speakers and attendees at the Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony remark upon the significance of holding joint events amid the ongoing war and despite criticism and “intimidation” from those who oppose such initiatives.

Timna Medovoy, a peace activist who works for the It’s Time coalition, says that when she’s attended joint Memorial Day ceremonies in previous years, it was always held outdoors and would typically generate some kind of protest.

This year, the event was held indoors and by invitation only for security reasons. “It’s devastating that the environment is such that holding space for both sides is seen as so dangerous that it has to be done indoors and away from the public eye,” she says.

In contrast, the Palestinian ceremony was held outdoors in Beit Jala.

A Palestinian member of Combatants for Peace did physically attend the Jaffa ceremony but was introduced only as “F” to protect her anonymity.

Born in Gaza, F lost her mother during the war, but despite this loss, says: “Our lives are not only stories of sorrow – they are also stories of resilience, of standing firm and holding on to hope for a better tomorrow.”

Maoz Inon, a peace activist whose parents, Bilha and Yakov Inon, were killed in Netiv HaAsara on October 7, feels that these events are more important than ever. “Every time there’s dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, it shows that we are on the same side – both of pain and loss, but also for building a better, joint future,” he says.