Musalaha – A Vision of Reconciliation

Musalaha

A Vision of Reconciliation

Musalaha is a faith-based organization that teaches, trains and facilitates reconciliation mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and also international groups, based on biblical principles of reconciliation.

Our Mission

Musalaha, which means “Reconciliation” in Arabic, was founded in 1990. Since its creation, an Executive Board of Palestinian and Israeli community leaders have led this organization by promoting, facilitating, and teaching reconciliation and unity within our society and internationally

Years of Work

Programs

People Impacted in 2023

“We do not believe that our peoples are doomed to make the same mistakes; nor do we believe that we are forever locked in cycles of violence and political impasse… We must look at our past and our present in light of our hope for the future. ”

— Through My Enemy’s Eyes

Musalaha’s Philosophy of Reconcilliation

A process of restoring relationships between groups of (perceived) enemies by striving for joint liberation and redemption together. This process requires redefining oneself, resisting oppressive power structures and transforming conflict, through a profound and new identity and narrative. This transformation begets concrete steps towards non-violent liberation of the oppressed, and redemption of the oppressor, in co-resisting injustice together for the humanization of all.

Musalaha’s signature method and place that has proven to be most effective for forging authentic relationships and reconciliation is in the desert. The desert is known for testing people through trials, healing, and transformation. It offers neutral space, unveils our humanity and vulnerability, begins to remedy the imbalance of power, and challenges our preconceived ideas about the “other”. For such reasons, Musalaha’s first program is the Desert Encounter. An average Desert Encounter includes camel treks, jeep rides, reconciliation workshops, facilitated dialogue, and hiking through the desert.

Over the years, Musalaha has not limited its projects to the desert and expanded its work with children, women, youth, young adults, civil society leaders, and more. Our theological and philosophical approach to reconciliation has been recognized to be authentic and applicable to other contexts experiencing conflict around the world.

Musalaha’s reconcilliation model has been applied and taught in the UK, the USA, Germany, India, Northern Ireland, Hong King, and the MENA region.

The Reconciliation Process

While working through the process of reconciliation, sustainability is key. The crucial first step is the restoration of individual and group relationships. This is a very difficult step, as it requires participants to step out of their comfort zones and (un)learn identities, narratives, and historical truth in collaboration with the “other”.

After relationships have been restored, participants can begin to engage forstructural issues; a process that is never easy but is made possible by prolonged, grassroots facilitation in reconciliation and leadership. Engagement after reconciliation requires all participants to take a joint, active stance against systemic injustices and root causes to conflict, while taking tangible steps towards justice. Participants who have gone through this process are able to bear witness to its transformative power, and help recruit new participants and bring them into the process.

Join the Team

We invite people of all backgrounds to explore the dynamics of reconciliation among Palestinians and Israelis. In addition, we provide a variety of internships and lectures in Jerusalem and online!

Make a donation.

Investing in Musalaha allows you to take part in our efforts that are impacting the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. Your investment brings you into our work of reconciliation and co-resistance to bring real change. We welcome you to join in our vision of restoring relationships while tackling injustices and oppression.

Our Mission

Musalaha’s Philosophy of Reconcilliation

The Reconciliation Process

Join the Team

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