The journey of two fathers in the name of peace – one Israeli and one Palestinian, both of whom have lost a daughter, killed by the conflict that divides the two peoples

They have both lost a daughter, killed by the violence of a conflict that has divided their peoples for decades. But Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, have chosen not to let this become a cause for hatred. This choice gave rise to ‘Winds of Peace’, the project that marks the start of their Italian tour from Sardinia: following yesterday’s event in Villacidro, today the two fathers arrived at the University of Cagliari, in the Department of Political and Social Sciences.

Two experiences marked by pain which, rather than turning into a new source of resentment, have become an opportunity for connection and a shared commitment: to acknowledge the other’s pain and break the cycle of violence. “Changing oneself is a long and difficult journey, but in discovering one’s own humanity, one also discovers that of one’s neighbour. It takes courage to overcome pain. Without the occupation, we could live together – in one state, in two, or in five. As long as it lasts, the resistance will continue to claim lives and children; but no one will disappear, and an agreement will be reached. The question is how much more blood must be shed before we realise this,” said Aramin.

“We are not seeking revenge, but rather to turn the price we have paid into a different choice: to emerge from the black hole of anger, frustration and the killing of innocent people”, emphasised Elhanan, “all peace movements in Israel and Palestine are working towards a solution, because no one is going to leave and no one will be able to subdue the other. We are meant to live together, and precisely because we are paying the price, we have the moral authority to show the way: a single world, founded on respect. Respecting those around us as we wish to be respected: simple and complicated at the same time.” It is this path that the project aims to bring to the attention of the Italian and international public.

It is also linked to the two men’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Bringing Elhanan and Aramin into schools and universities, the organisers explain, means presenting the younger generations with a question: what happens when, faced with an irreparable loss, one decides to acknowledge the other’s pain as well? It is emphasised that the testimony of these two fathers cannot, on its own, resolve the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But their story, which begins with the process of coming to terms with two bereavements, powerfully affirms a principle: peace can also begin with the personal choice to break free from the logic of revenge and to reach out to those on the other side. The tour will now continue in Piedmont and Tuscany.