For almost the entire year of 2019, the government of Israel was in election mode. Elections were held in both April and September; therefore, most of the year the Knesset (parliament) was inactive.

These videos represent one of Musalaha’s Desert Encounters that include Israelis and Palestinians across ethnic and religious divides.

In a world, where power and authority are so often used as tools to oppress and violently abuse others, at times, it can be difficult to associate power with something good. This can be specifically difficult for women.

“I will stay.” The 10 year-old girl looked at me with clear conviction and great courage. She wiped her tears and walked boldly back to her room, back to a counselor from the “other” side.

Mine was last summer, August 2018. For 5 days heaven met earth as children from all around ‘the Land’ came together for a Youth Summer Camp, with Musalaha.

The Power of Stories

There is something quite spiritual about storytelling. The power of a story to communicate ideas about people, cultures, or circumstances is profound

Which expectations and pictures did they have in mind when they arrived and which impressions did they leave with? Find out more about their thoughts…

What is Musalaha’s summer camp in Bethlehem all about? Is it about serving 85 children with 20 volunteers and 7 interns in 6 days? Is it having fun, playing games, making new friends, and enjoying summer? Sure. But what makes a difference in the lives of the participants that lasts more than a few days?

Summertime is always a season that is eagerly awaited by children all around the world. Summer is a time of rest, fun, swimming and sweets, and full of trying new things. Many children are also given the opportunity to go to summer camps where they are able to participate in fun activities and build new friendships. For those who have attended summer camps or sent their children to them, they understand camp can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s life.

Easter and Passover are busy times for us in the Holy Land, as they are in most parts of the Church and Jewish communities around the world. This Passover and Easter fell on the same week – but Shireen (Women’s Projects Manager for Palestine) and myself (Hedva, Projects Manager) didn’t spend our time making traditional Easter cookies or looking for the Hametz (the leaven) in our homes this year. Instead, we were asked to attend several conferences and meetings in the United Kingdom.