Uniting In Our Humanity: A Courageous Experiment in Palestinian and Israeli Relations

Air Date: 27 August, 2024

“We believe that in this darkness, the soil is still fertile for seeds of change and compassion to take root.”
~ Nepheli Galgos and Daphne Percy Chorafas organizers of Uniting in our Humanity.

Join hosts Ben Bowler of Unity Earth and Danielea Castell of The Listening Field for this special UETV episode with the organizers and facilitators from Uniting in Our Humanity, a gathering of Palestinians, Israelis, Internationals and Ancient Olive Trees that took place in Greece, May 30-Jun 5, 2024.

Learn why this gathering was unique in the realm of conflict resolution and what insights, blessings and new possibilities emerged for Humanity through this courageous gathering.

NOTE: This broadcast is Part 2 of a public sharing about Uniting in Our Humanity. Watch Part I on UETV with Danielea Castell and the Olive Tree Elders of Aegina.
The Olive Trees Speak: Stories and Seeds of Peace (40:00)

BACKGROUND
During the 8th month of one of the most deeply painful conflicts of our time, Nepheli Galgos and Daphne Percy Chorfa, two young dancers in Greece, invited 33 people—15 Palestinians, 15 Israelis, and 3 more internationals—to Aegina Island for 6 days.

The purpose was not to try to end the war in the holy land but to create a safe space for connection and understanding; to bring together sworn enemies on neutral land where they can have the opportunity to connect, listen, and acknowledge each other’s stories and pain.
They named the gathering “Uniting in Our Humanity” and sent out a heartfelt call for experienced Palestinian and Israeli body-based facilitators to guide this sensitive exploration. Eight facilitators answered, and through the winter of 2024, they collaborated to craft this courageous experiment in human relations.

In the final weeks, an international Nature communicator joined the team, ensuring the addition of the nearby Olive Tree Elders in the program’s healing power.

CO-HOSTS
BEN BOWLER: executive director of UETV and UNITY EARTH, a global network building a worldwide movement for unity and peace.

DANIELEA CASTELL: Nature communicator, Interbeing Ambassador for Peace and co-founder of the Listening Field and the Peace Alliance with the Olive Trees. Danielea attended Uniting in Our Humanity gathering as an international participant, and to facilitate connection with the Ancient Olive Trees of Aegina.

PRESENTERS:
NEPHELI GALGOS: co-organizer and international host of the Uniting in Our Humanity. Nepheli has an MA in International Community Development, researching decolonization methodologies and the intersections between environmental, social and economic sustainability. She lived in Israel-Palestine and worked in several NGOs on the land, and in Peru, Zambia and Tanzania.

DAPHNE PERCY-CHORAFA: co-organizer and international host of the Uniting in Our Humanity. Daphne grew up between Greece, France and Sweden. She lived in Israel-Palestine from 2018-2023 where she studied dance and dance-movement therapy (MA), focusing on the development of kinaesthetic awareness and creative expression and communication through the body.

NITSAN JOY GORDON: Israeli peace activist, group facilitator, movement and IFS therapist, author of Together Beyond Words: Women on a Quest for Peace in the Middle East. Nitsan brings Muslims, Jews, Bedouins, Druse and Christians together in a dynamic process to heal ancient wounds, recover hidden strengths and promote emotional understanding.

AMIRA ABU ATA: A facilitator of women’s circles and groups dedicated to social and spiritual change. Amira’s project Tashafi, which means healing in Arabic, serves as a conduit to spread light and healing among humans around the world.

MIRIAM ELIZABETH TURMALIN: Israeli peace activist, ceremonialist, and holistic art therapist. Miriam was born to a Jewish Israeli mother and Christian German father. She knew from an early age that she was a result of peace and love and that her life would be dedicated to peace-building in the Holy Land. Miriam creates spaces and ceremonies for healing and transformation, accompanying through passages of life and death.

HANEEN ABUALSOUD: Palestinian peace-builder, writer and facilitator. Haneen was born and raised in Gaza under occupation. Haneen now lives in Portugal with her 2 children. Despite the fact that she has lost many family members in this most recent war she firmly believes in the importance of inner healing for collective liberation.

ERAN MARKOSE: Israeli peace-builder, somatic healer, facilitator of men’s circles. Eran was born in Jerusalem and raised with Zionist values. After 4.5 years in the IDF as a combat soldier and officer, Eran began a personal healing journey which led him to discover the power of love and forgiveness as a pathway for peace internally and externally. (pre-record)
NOTE: there are 3 facilitators from the Team who will not be present on the broadcast:

ABDUL KARIM QTIFAN – Palestinian (Gaza) peace facilitator, whirling dervish in Sufi path of Rumi

AYELET YEKUTIEL – Israeli peace builder, dancer, choreographer

KIFA ABDEL HALIM – Palestinian, Bodyworker/Movement Coach, Translator