Standing for Collective Liberation

“No one will be free if the others live under occupation. No one will be safe unless everyone is safe.”

In this live SAND Community Gathering (November 2024) Zaya and Maurizio were in discussion with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists Osama lliwat & Rotem Levin who share their personal stories, describe the reality on the ground, and explain their vision for a path toward collective liberation.

Osama lliwat was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Jericho, after his family was displaced in 1967. In the peace world for more than 15 years and the co-founder of Visit Palestine, he has dedicated his life to nonviolent resistance. He has worked with the Sulha Peace Project and Interfaith Encounter Association, appeared in several documentaries including Objector and The Other, and speaks regularly on peacebuilding at organizations and universities around the world.

Rotem Levin was born and raised in Ein Vered. After his military service, he participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany, where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. This instigated a change in perspective on the story he was born and raised with. After this experience, he started organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan, where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and to Palestinian and Israeli medical workers. He is a committed activist and doctor by profession.

Topics:

00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
00:45 – Context of the Gaza Conflict
03:33 – Osama Liwat's Background
04:05 – Rotem Levin's Background
09:41 – Rotem's Personal Journey
20:11 – Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
27:35 – Living in the West Bank
33:35 – The Statelessness of Palestinians
34:30 – Personal Stories of Displacement
35:38 – Growing Up Amidst Conflict
43:19 – Acts of Resistance
54:03 – Encountering Peace Activists
01:02:29 – A Call for Unity and Humanity
01:06:47 – Final Reflections and Gratitude

Links:

Watch Where Olive Trees Weep
Purchase the full 23-video series Conversations on Palestine
Learn more about the SAND Community Gatherings

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#109 Salt of the Earth: Osama lliwat & Rotem Levin

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