On April 24, an event called The 18th Joint Israeli- Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony was held in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Despite the cold weather, 15,000 people attended this year’s event, including online.
This year there were fewer participants than last year, partly because Israel is in a very confusing political situation and partly because the controversy preceded this event.
However, the event brought together people from Israel and Palestine, both carrying great pain in their hearts and they gave moving speeches.
Their speeches showed that because they personally know pain, they share the pain of others and can find hope beyond the pain.
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During this event, the Flame of Hope was introduced, an enshrinement of 14 sacred fires from around the world, including the flames of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
This Flame of Hope was introduced to bring hope not only to those who attended the event but also to the world.
A message from Mr. Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, was also presented at the event, which was very powerful, reaching beyond borders and strengthening our hearts.
I wonder if there are people who want to fight.
The pain in hearts sometimes makes people anxious and hateful.
But through our pain, we can understand, heal, and give hope for the pain of others. This event showed us once again such things, even that our pain can be healed.
It is up to each one of us to decide whether we will hold on to our pain and turn it into anxiety and hatred, or whether we will turn it into healing and hope for ourselves and others.
The Flame of Hope will continue its journey, hoping to light the Flame of Hope in the hearts of as many people as possible.
Thank you so much! This was such a moving ceremony for me. Hearing story after story from both “sides” of those who lost loved ones to the conflict, hearing their sorrow and courageous decisions not to retaliate or live a life of hate, gave me so much hope for reconciliation and world peace.
When Israeli and Palestinian parents of their murdered children listen to each other’s pain and share it with the world, and instead of becoming revengeful enemies, become instead allies that comfort each other’s heartbreak, and become comrades that combat the hate and divisiveness of the conflict, I feel the power of peace, and know hope is spread around the world.
My wish is that we humans never give up on each other no matter what, and we keep following the path of our altruistic heart and the actions it inspires. Shine on Flame of Hope!
History has been made by us. No need a hero.
The Flame of Hope is working for humanity ,the light open the heart and bring happiness. Keeping the Flame support the bright vitality of the existance,i wish one day soon the message of the Flame will be seeded in all hearts and will be presanted with doings ,like no missing rice to children , be partners of plannting trees around. Let it be
Thank you very much!!! It’s so powerful to feel that people are transforming their pain and suffering to love and peace.
There is always hope. We can open our heart and create our peace and bright future!
A touchihg memorial, full of determiniation to create a new reality. Despites all incredible painful experiences….thank you so much all who are engaged to this peace movement, we support Peace in Israel/Palestina! My wish is: one day nobody want to fight, but hugs each other!