Photo Credit: Standing Together

Last week, over 1,000 members of Standing Together (Omdim Beyachad-Naqif Ma’an)–Jewish and Arab Israelis working together for a shared future–met in Haifa for their fourth annual national convention. As co-organizers of the largest anti-war protests in Israel, protests that have faced political resistance, the members of Standing Together came together to affirm their commitment to a shared future for all. Even as Israel’s war against Hamas continues into its fourth month, leaving over 27,000 Palestinians dead, Standing Together is a beacon of hope and a bulwark against despair for so many. 

During the convention, co-leader Alon-Lee Green addressed the participants: “We are the camp of life against the camp of death… against those who say that there are no innocent people in Gaza. We are calling to release all hostages now, exit Gaza, and end the war and the occupation immediately. Israelis and Palestinians are here to stay.” 

The convention, which brought together people from across Israel, took place over the course of one day. It began with a performance from the Jerusalem Youth Choir, an Israeli-Palestinian choir that sings in Hebrew and Arabic. Leaders of Standing Together addressed the crowd and Luna Abu Nassar, a Palestinian singer from Haifa, performed for the convention-goers. Then, participants attended panels on subjects that ranged from building a shared and equal society to changing the current political narrative. Finally, they elected leaders for the next year. The incoming leadership cohort is diverse, like the members of Standing Together: Thirteen are women, twelve are men, thirteen are Jewish, and twelve are Palestinian citizens of Israel.

In an email to supporters afterwards, Standing Together wrote: “The convention was a huge success, and we are filled with renewed energy for the long fight that lies ahead of us.”