Bassam Aramin & Rami Elhanan: Making Peace Possible

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Image courtesy of CCCB.

Rami Elhanan, an Israeli and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, live close to one another, but inhabit separate worlds. Their lives were shattered when their daughters, Smadar and Abir, were killed—one in a Hamas suicide attack in central Jerusalem in 1997, the other shot by an Israeli policeman as she left school in 2007. Faced with these tragedies, they chose not to succumb to hatred and violence. Instead, they joined forces to advocate for dialogue, peace and human rights for all through The Parents Circle – Families Forum, an association that fosters reconciliation between the two communities.

Over time, Rami and Bassam have become close friends, sharing their story around the world and emphasizing that "the only way forward is to talk to each other, understand each other's point of view, and make concessions." Their story also inspired writer Colum McCann’s novel Apeirogon, which brought their message to an international audience. After more than a year of war, they will discuss with journalist and political scientist Jordi Armadans the transformative power of empathy, friendship and the possibilities for building a future based on peace and coexistence.

Event will be held in English and Catalan with simultaneous translation from English to Catalan.

For more events check our online events calendar.