Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers bring message of hope for a better future

In the shadow of war, trauma, and deepening divisions, it may seem unfathomable to talk about hope —let alone peace. Yet amid the rubble of October 7 and the devastating 18 months that have followed in Gaza, the peace movement is being revived.

Two men who dare to speak of a different path will visit Australia later this month. Israeli peace negotiator Gershon Baskin and Palestinian political leader Samer Sinijlawi will address Australian audiences as guests of the New Israel Fund, in a conversation titled Negotiating Peace: How to salvage a two-state solution.

Gershon Baskin was a negotiator in the release of Gilad Shalit and is a researcher of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process. Samer Sinijlawi is Head of International, Israeli and Diplomatic relations (Fatah Shadow Leadership) and Chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund. Their message is both radical and simple: peace is possible, but only if we build it together.

I spoke with Baskin and Sinjwali from Jerusalem ahead of their visit, which will include events in Sydney and Melbourne.

Firstly, why are they choosing to travel to a country so far removed from the day-to-day realities of the conflict?

“We do have an obligation to speak about peace everywhere,” Sinjwali answered. “Most of our time is focused on convincing Israelis and Palestinians to trust each other again, to believe that coexistence is possible. But we also need to deliver this message to the Jewish community around the world and the Palestinian diaspora.”

Baskin agreed. “Any opportunity for the two of us to spend time together is valuable. We think, we plan, we strategise. But it’s also about the message. When people see an Israeli and a Palestinian working side by side, it breaks the myth that there’s no partner for peace on the other side.”