Save Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day!

For the last 12 years, annual Israel-Palestinian Memorial Day has united thousands worldwide to mourn, hope, and raise our voices for peace. Now, the flagship ceremony of our movement is under threat. We need your help. What began as a small ceremony of 50 people in 2005 is now the largest event of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement. Last year, over 55,000 people across the world observed Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day. The Ceremony stands as a unique symbol of humanity and persistence. We continue to believe that despite all the suffering and violence, war is NOT an act of fate! We have a powerful message of nonviolence and mutual dignity that some would like suppressed. It’s no secret that the far-right Israeli government and its allies are trying to silence organizations like ours taking a stand against the occupation and against hate. Combatants for Peace has become a target, and our annual joint Memorial Day is now in jeopardy. We began to feel the pressure last year, when just two days before the event, permits to enter Israel were revoked for hundreds of grieving Palestinian participants planning to attend. During and after the event, violent demonstrators screamed insults and threw urine and garbage on bereaved families. This year, we’ve had great difficulties in finding a venue will to host us. We’ve heard one excuse after another, from security concerns, to political concerns, to simply, “No!” Our final option is to hold the event outside in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park. This requires additional security, infrastructure, and equipment - in other words much higher unexpected costs. It might be easy to despair, but the truth is, we don’t have the privilege of giving up. The occupation continues to worsen, with ongoing annexation and displacement of Palestinian communities. The status quo must change! Last year the hall in Tel Aviv held 4,000 people, and this year, the field in Yarkon Park will hold many more thousands. We will not be silenced. We know there is another way. Steadfastness, solidarity, courage and non-violence will always transform hatred and fear. In order to hold Memorial Day this year, we face the formidable task of raising funds well beyond our usual resources. We simply cannot do it without your help, as friends and supporters joining us in our non-violent struggle and sharing in our hopes. We will not give up - that’s exactly what the government and our critics are hoping for. We turn to you and ask you from the bottom of our hearts to give. Help ensure democratic rights and freedom, end the occupation, and build a different reality based on peace, justice and dignity for all here in Palestine and Israel. In the next month we must raise $50,000: Donate today!