Meeting with French youth...

Educators around the world wish to learn from us, youth wish to meet our youth
Windows and its high quality work made a name around the world, much more than we have in Palestine /Israel where the circumstances often make us keep a low profile. Since in the past, both local and international media portrayed Windows in a wrong way which could cause us problems, and sometimes actually did, we prefer to have our reputation go from mouth to ear rather than through media exposure. Every year, we are offered cooperation by European organizations and institutions that are interested in youth exchange regarding socio-political issues, and sometimes, when they manage to get the needed funding, such exchanges do happen and we all gain from them. One such offer came in 2018 from the city of Nancy, north of France. Thus, in the summer of 2018, we invited our graduates, 20-35 years old, to travel to France, for an opportunity to look at The Israel/Palestine story from a European perspective. Because of last minute cancellations, the Israeli-Jewish group included a few new, like-minded people, but with less experience than our graduates, raising ethical questions.

But meeting is not easy
Meetings of Palestinians and Israelis are getting harder and harder to make. The challenges began before leaving home. One of the West Bank Palestinians who chose to participate had to keep it a secret from his workplace. He and the others were careful who in their communities should they told about their participation. They also had to be very careful about taking pictures and posting on social media. In the TLV airport, one of the Palestinians citizens of Israel was pulled out of the group by security and had to go through a very humiliating search and questionioning. Our attempt to show that he is part of a peace promoting organization made no difference. What did make a difference to him was the solidarity shown by the group.

Studying together is a base for international networking
For the French group, it was part of a long term program learning about and visiting Palestine/Israel. Their program with Windows gave them an opportunity to hear more from the Israeli Jews about common perceptions in Israel, and learn from the Palestinian citizens of Israel about the challenges they face. They were excited to hear from the West Bank Palestinians both about their strong Palestinian identity and their belief that meetings with Israelis can be part of the struggle against occupation.
The 2 weeks program took place in the north of France countryside, surrounded by breathtaking views. An element, our many years experience shows, that contributes to the success of programs.

The program was intensive. Through different types of activities, the participants discussed their own complex identities, learned about the history of Palestine/Israel as well as the history of the European Union, paying attention to the fact that after the horrific wars between them, there is a new era of peace and cooperation. Learning about the “Laicite'', the French concept of secularization, created long discussions as both Muslims and Jews in the group could not accept the limitations on religious expressions. A visit to the EU parliament in Strasburg, right in time to witness how a suggestion to discuss the Israeli attempt to expel a Palestinian community in the West Bank was declined, was an important lesson about the way the EU parliaments work. All the suggestions relating to human rights issues were declined, keeping on the parliament’s table only economic issues. This experience was part of studying the role of Europe in the history of the Middle East and its impact, through the various changing powers, on the evolution of the situation today. Putting all that in the context of today's global challenges from environment to inequality and poverty among others, led to the discussion about the need of young people around the world to work together for a better future for all.

And networks can lead to actions
Towards the end of the program, the participants used their newly gained knowledge to develop activities for French schools aiming to offer some explanation of the present situation in Israel/Palestine. As the visits to the schools were successful, the principles showed interest in a continuation, a challenge left for the French participants.

As much as the intensive program offered a variety of topics to learn and deal with, as often happens in such workshops, the real learning happens outside of the facilitated workshops and discussions. Over coffee in an evening out in the nearby town, or while making dinner together, or taking walks in the evening watching the beautiful sunsets. Experiences are shared, hearts open, emotions change and perceptions get wider. While Windows’ graduates go through this in early stages of the Windows’ program, some of the “new ones”, although socially and politically active, but from more mainstream communities, heard stories they never heard before, leading them to question narratives they grew up with. It was definitely not easy, but the ongoing facilitation offered the needed emotional support and empathy was shown: "I deeply appreciate them for showing that empathy, it is something that cannot be taken for granted. That gave me a lot of hope.” said one of the Palestinians.

But it was a learning experience not only for the new ones. Our participants go through the Youth Media and Action Program as teenagers. Meeting again years later, they came with more maturity, ready to learn more about each other as well as about their own side of the story. Inbal from Haifa said, "People came from different perspectives, but they came with questions and they wanted to learn more”.

The need to explain the situation together to the French group enabled both the Palestinians and Israelis to see themselves and their societies from an external perspective. They could all see the historical and present ties between our countries. They learned a lot about each others’ cultures and ways of life, and could see how perspectives are often related to one's own environment, but can also be questioned through conversation and education.

The importance of solidarity
In addition to the gained knowledge and insights, the importance of solidarity cannot be underestimated. The Palestinian members were deeply touched to see that people who are not directly involved in their situation are interested and genuinely care. As one of the Palestinians said, "I was really happy that people gave us their time to fight for our rights.” For the Israeli Jews who often feel isolated and marginalized in their own country because of their work for Palestinians rights, the support they felt was important as well.

A few months later, in April 2019, the French group travelled to Israel/Palestine where they explored many places on both sides of the Green Line, to see with their own eyes the situation on the ground and talk to Palestinians and Israelis from a variety of political convictions. The warm welcome by the local participants was something to remember.

The program ended, but connections were kept, on a personal level, hoping one day we will be able to get the participants together again, to continue to build international relations that can make a difference.

"What remained with everyone I met in the program was hope - it was very beautiful to see that." -Joel, participant of the French group