Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation

Mission:

Musalaha (Arabic for ‘reconciliation’) seeks to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians as demonstrated in the life and teaching of Jesus. They endeavour to be an encouragement and advocate of reconciliation, first among Palestinian and Israeli believers and then beyond to their respective communities. Musalaha also aims at facilitating bridge building among different segments of Israeli and Palestinian societies according to biblical reconciliation principles.

Activities:

Musalaha believes that Christ’s death and resurrection are the foundation of reconciliation, and that forgiveness and healing can only come through following His example and obeying His word. They hope to emulate and teach Christ’s model of forgiveness, mercy, and love, breaking down the walls of enmity that so easily embitter and ensnare.

Their vision and hope is that in listening to one another, in understanding each other’s backgrounds and identity and in seeking forgiveness and to forgive, Palestinians and Israelis will build relationships that reflect their faith and bring glory to God and peace to this Land.

They run a broad range of activities:

• Women in conflict are not only victims but also powerful agents of important change, who with their courage, commitment and determination and with their tolerance, compassion, forgiveness and practical solutions are very capable of taking action and demanding to see a change. Musalaha offers Israeli and Palestinian women a forum for meeting and reconciling with each other and empowers the women through training to take an active role as leaders of reconciliation in their local communities. Hundreds of Palestinian and Israeli women meet frequently in small, organized groups on national, regional and local levels.

• Musalaha seeks to provide reconciliation training to young people through desert and Galilee encounters, youth follow-ups and international outreach programs; providing a place for Israelis and Palestinians to meet and build friendships. The neutral environment of the desert or the Galilee provides these young people with a place where they can be free from the daily distractions of life and really get to know people from the other side. Musalaha also runs youth leadership training seminars twice a year.

• Musalaha works hard with young adults – potential leaders for whom time in the desert jeep excursioning, trekking the hot sands of Wadi Rum or camel riding is the starting point for the process of sharing feelings and frustrations of living in the midst of conflict, whether they must constantly cross checkpoints or guard borders. Though for the young adults the process is painful, it is worth it for the hope for peace in their societies.

• Projects to equip family leaders with the message of reconciliation, tolerance and love so that they will be able to impart the same to those in their circles of influence. There are family conferences held every other year, follow-up weekends to ensure progress in the process and seminars for new and veteran community leaders
  
  
• Through the bridge builders initiative Musalaha facilitates dialogue between those of different faiths to promote a better understanding and reconciliation among these communities. They aim to empower community leaders to initiate reconciliation within their communities and function as conflict mediators.
  
  
• Summer camp allows for Palestinian and Israeli children – the next generation of reconcilers – to become peacemakers at a young age in a neutral, friendly and fun camp setting where they learn from the Bible how to implement tolerance, reconciliation and love.