Veranstaltung: Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF): Israeli and Palestinian Bereaved Families for Peace

For over 30 years, Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones to violence, terrorism, and war have been working together in the Parents Circle—Families Forum. Despite their deep personal grief, they consistently advocate for dialogue, understanding, and an end to the conflict.

Instead of hatred, they choose the path of shared grief. Their goal is not forgiveness, but the transformation of pain into hope—and the conviction that peace is possible only through mutual listening and recognition of differing perspectives.

These events offer a rare opportunity to hear these extraordinary Palestinian and Israeli voices, which reject violence and the cycle of retaliation—and instead advocate for humanity, dialogue, and peace.

Laila al-Sheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank and studied accounting and business administration. In 2002, her six-month-old son Qussay died after inhaling tear gas during an Israeli military operation and being denied timely access to medical care. Instead of seeking revenge, Laila has since dedicated herself to working toward a more peaceful future for her children. She has been a member of the “Parents Circle” since 2016. “Our circumstances are different,” she says, “but we share the same pain and the same tears.”

Michal Halev worked as a women’s counselor and used art to bring people together. Her only child, Laor Abramov Halev, was killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, at the age of 20, at the Nova Music Festival. The loss fundamentally changed her life. “I implore the world: End all wars, stop killing people, stop killing babies,” she said shortly after Laor’s death. “War is not a solution; war solves nothing … I don’t want revenge in my name.” Since then, Michal has dedicated herself to her son’s memory and has been active in the “Parents Circle” since 2024.

This event is open to students and staff of the University of Regensburg.