Two events with the "Parents Circle Families Forum"

"Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony"

Live screening and discussion

Monday, April 20, 6:00 pm, RPTU Kaiserslautern, Building 86, Room 107

Organized by "Combatants for Peace" and the "Parents Circle Families Forum" (see also below), the "Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day" will take place for the 21st time this year. The aim of the event is to counteract one-sided narratives, focus on the suffering of both sides and show ways to achieve reconciliation, peace and justice. It traditionally takes place on the eve of Yom HaZikaron, Israel's national day of mourning. Reports from grieving families and voices from peace and human rights work make it clear that change begins with recognizing the suffering of others. Before the livestream, political scientist Dr. Steffen Hagemann will give a short introduction. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas.

Organized in cooperation with CampusKultur

The introduction and discussion will be in German, the live broadcast in Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.

"From pain to hope: Parents Circle - Families Forum"

Lecture and discussion

With Laila al-Sheikh (Palestine) and Michal Halev (Israel)

Sunday, 10.05.2026, 18:00, Landau, Haus am Westbahnhof (An 44 40a, 76829 Landau)

For over 30 years, Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones to violence, terror and war have been working together in the "Parents Circle - Families Forum". Despite their deep personal suffering, they are consistently committed to dialog, understanding and an end to violence. Instead of hatred, they choose the common path of mourning. Their aim is not forgiveness, but the transformation of pain into hope - and the conviction that peace is only possible through mutual listening and recognition.

The Parents Circle was founded in 1995 and is still active today, despite all the escalations. In 2025, the Parents Circle was awarded the International Nuremberg Human Rights Prize - one of many important honors that recognize the work of the organization. This event offers the rare opportunity to hear voices that consciously avoid the spiral of violence and retaliation - and instead stand up for humanity, dialog and peace.

Parents Circle Friends Germany e.V. is organizing a lecture tour through Germany in 2026 by two representatives of the "Parents Circle" and has kindly included a date in Landau in the corresponding program. The evening is being organized by the Peace Academy Rhineland-Palatinate in cooperation with CampusKultur and the Protestant church district of Landau.

The introduction will be in German; the lecture in English. Contributions to the discussion are possible in both languages. There will be a small reception afterwards.

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 he inhaled tear gas during an Israeli army operation and was denied timely access to medical help. Instead of seeking revenge, Laila has since campaigned for 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 connect people. 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 beg the world: Stop all wars, stop killing people, stop killing babies," she said shortly after Laor's death. "War is not a solution, nothing can be solved with war ... I don't want revenge in my name." Since then, Michal has dedicated herself to her son's memory and has been involved in the "Parents Circle" since 2024.