No More Violence, No More Incitement

Gershon Baskin calls upon Israel’s leaders to bow their heads today and engage in self-scrutiny and ask how and why have we reached this abyss?

The Israeli Peace NGOs Forum strongly condemns the instigators, the inflamers and the perpetrators who committed the vicious “price tag” heinous terror assault on peaceful residential homes in the village of Duma close to Nablus.

We stand thoroughly ashamed and heartbroken at the cruel death of Ali Duabshe, the Palestinian infant, who was burned to death while sleeping in his bed in the middle of the night. We are deeply concerned about the well being of his father, mother and 4-year old brother Ahmed who are struggling for their lives in horrible pain. We are equally concerned about the well being of the innocent victims of the xenophobic, murderous hate crime on the streets of Jerusalem this week.

We call upon Israel’s leaders: Bow your heads today and engage in self-scrutiny:

How and why have we reached this abyss?

Categories: Insights

Gershon Baskin

Gershon Baskin is one of the most recognizable names in the Middle East Peace process. He is a political and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to peace between Israel and its neighbors. His dedication to creating a culture of peace and environmental awareness, coupled with his impeccable integrity, has earned him the trust of the leaders of all sides of the century old conflict. Few people have such far-reaching and positive impacts on promoting peace, security, prosperity and bi-national relationships. Gershon is an advisor to Israeli, Palestinian and International Prime Ministers on the Middle East Peace Process and the founder and director of IPCRI, the Israeli-Palestinian Public Policy Institute. He was the initiator and negotiator of the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas for the release of 1,027 prisoners – mainly Palestinians and Arab-Israelis of which 280 were sentenced to life in prison, including Yahya Sinwar, the current Palestinian leader of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners were imprisoned for planning and perpetrating various attacks against Jewish targets that resulted in the killing of 569 Israelis in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit. Gershon is actively involved in research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, environmental security, political strategy, peace education, economics, culture and in the development of affordable solar projects with the goal of providing clean electricity for 50 million people by 2020. He is a founding member of Kol Ezraheiha-Kol Muwanteneiha (All of the Citizens) political party in Israel. He is now directing The Holy Land Bond and is the Middle East Director for ICO – International Communities Organization - a UK based NGO working in conflict zones with failed peace processes.