After making history last year with the largest ever interfaith iftaar in the holy land, Mohamad Jamous and his partners set out to do the impossible–hold a repeat event connecting Israeli Jews and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Despite the outbreak of war with Iran, transportation cancellations, and threats of missiles, they once again succeeded in bringing together leaders from all walks of life and religions.
On Tuesday March 17th, one of the final days of Ramadan, hundreds of Israelis, Palestinians and international guests met in the West Bank for a series of speeches by religious and community leaders about the importance of peacebuilding. Simultaneously, several hundred Gazans met in a second location, with several addressing the main forum via Zoom. Additional groups included an interfaith Israeli-Palestinian group in London, as well as the Jaffa interfaith group. Later in the day yet another Jewish-Muslim interfaith iftaar was held at the home of Sheikh Musa Drammeh in the Bronx, NY.
Mohamad Jamous, the main organizer of the Children of Abraham Iftaar, shared his thoughts after the event:
“Even in the middle of war, we chose to build a table for humanity bringing Palestinians and Israelis together to say that humanity, dignity, life, and peace must come first.
This interfaith Ramadan Iftar brought together over 1,500 Palestinians and Israelis across Gaza and the West Bank, with parallel gatherings in London and Tel Aviv connected online.
The initiative created a shared human space during war and raised a united voice for dignity, peace, and an end to violence.
From Gaza, voices like Moataz reminded us that even in the darkest reality, people still choose life and hope.
Samira shared a simple but powerful message: no more mothers should lose their children we all deserve a future of peace and humanity.
This event was made possible through the dedication of many coordinators and partners who believed that even in the hardest moments, humanity must come first.”
Aviv Lis, who organized the London Iftaar group after being unable to travel to Israel, explained that with only three days to plan the London meeting, he quickly got dozens of guests, who “heard from a Palestinian from Gaza, a Mizrachi Jewish Israeli woman from Jerusalem, a Palestinian refugee from Gaza who just received asylum in the UK and an Iraqi Jewish man from Baghdad who spoke of his natural friendships with Arabs who all shared their stories in person and via zoom to the Holy Land. Right before Iftar breakfast we all sang together songs of peace in Arabic and Hebrew led by a Tunisian Oud player who was assisted by my Israeli friend Ella and my Palestinian friend Abdulrahman. It was a magical event and I was so thankful I was able to organize it at such a short notice. None of it however would have been possible without Mohamad’s support and vision for peace, a vision that many here in London share and support.”
Debate for Peace 