'Stand up together'

Israeli and Palestinian speakers promote coexistence

The speakers addressed what both described as unprecedented trauma for their peoples.

Dr Gershon Baskin, Samer Sinijlawi and Michael Chaitow. Photo: Bruce Hill.
Dr Gershon Baskin, Samer Sinijlawi and Michael Chaitow. Photo: Bruce Hill.

An Israeli peace activist and Palestinian political leader drew sold-out audiences in Sydney and Melbourne last month with a message of coexistence.

The New Israel Fund Australia brought Dr Gershon Baskin, the veteran negotiator who helped secure Gilad Shalit’s release, and Samer Sinijlawi, Head of International, Israeli and Diplomatic relations for the Fatah shadow leadership, to present their shared vision for ending the current war.

NIF Australia’s Michael Chaitow said the tour attracted unprecedented interest, including many newcomers to the organisation from across religious and cultural backgrounds.

“I’ve had people come to me at both sold out audiences, say they’ve never heard of us before, say they’ve never been to an audience of ours before and that they loved it,” Chaitow said.

“We have had members of the Muslim community come up and thank us for our work. We have members of the Jewish community come up and thank us for our work.”

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