Nathalie Kelley Instagram – Last year one of dearest friends and spiritual mentors ‘Rabbi Rachel’ introduced me to the work of @womenwagepeace – a non-partisan peace movement of Jewish, Arab, Druze and Bedouin women asking for a diplomatic negotiation, with full representation of women, to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One of its founders Vivian Silver, was presumed to be one of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7th until a few days ago it was confirmed that she had been killed that day. The cruel and bitter irony of Hamas killing a woman who dedicated her life to fighting for Gazans and all Palestinians to live in prosperity and peace alongside Israeli citizens like herself, is not lost on me. Every day I prayed for her release and would anxiously check news reports of hostages to see if she had been freed, and so the latest news of her death has left those in the interfaith peace community shattered 💔 this eulogy by Bedouin peace activist Ghadir Hani is the most poignant, beautiful and heart wrenching tribute to a great soul. 🕊️ Yael Deckelbaum’s song in the 2nd slide “The Prayer of the Mothers” is a tribute to all those who dare to think outside the binary of ‘us versus them’ and dream of a new way 🕊️My vow of Ahimsa (non-violence) has meant that I have been careful not to fall into a stance being either Pro-Palestine / Pro-Israel because I fear supporting one side might send a violent message to the other side that I don’t also love and support their peoples desire for peace and safety. I have not joined any marches because these days as Talya Minsberg writes in her the NYT article also posted, “these events have taken place under an Israeli or Palestinian flag, focusing on one people’s pain, struggle or victimhood.” As someone deeply empathetic to all suffering on both sides, has been a difficult and lonely time for people like me. I’ve had violent language and videos sent to me, in an attempt to polarize and desensitize me to the suffering of “the other.” I’ve lost cherished relationships, as my commitment to non-violence frustrates those who think there is no other pathway forward. (Continued in comments)