The Gaza Youth Committee (ar: لجنة شباب غزة) is a peace activism organization based in the Gaza Strip. It was founded in 2010 by Rami Aman.[1] As of 2019, the group had more than 200 members.[2]

The organization is a member of Alliance for Middle East Peace.[3]

Activity

The Gaza Youth Committee "wants a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and an end to the Israeli siege on Gaza".[2] Their primary strategy for obtaining these two goals is to support local youth[4] and to build interpersonal relationships between Gazans and Israelis, although the group has also tried to build relationships between Gazans and West Bank residents.[2][5] The organization also holds non-violence trainings, and has held a letter-writing campaign addressed to international activists.[2]

In 2015, the group began the initiative "Skype with your Enemy", in which the group hosts joint conference calls with both Palestinians and Israelis.[2] During the calls, participants discuss the realities of life in Gaza and Israel.[2]

In 2018, the group held a demonstration in which they released 200 doves, each with a message of peace.[4]

In 2018 and 2019, the group organized Skype calls between Gaza residents and American citizens during Ramadan.[4][5]

In March 2019, the group's founder, Rami Aman, was arrested following a "Skype with your Enemy" call; he was released shortly afterward.[1]

On Yom HaZikaron 2019, the organization streamed the Alternative Memorial Ceremony, which took place in Tel Aviv and was organized by the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Family Forum and Combatants for Peace, in the Gaza Strip.[6] In June of that year, the Gaza Youth Committee organized "Peace and Freedom" cycling and foot races, which were open to both Palestinian and Israeli participants.[7] Three GYC members were arrested after the event, and charged with "normalization".[2]

In 2020, Aman, Manar al-Sharif, and a third GYC member were arrested, again following a Zoom call held with both Palestinians and Israelis.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Miller, Elhanan (March 21, 2019). "Hamas arrests Gaza peace activist over conference call with Israelis". Plus 61J Media. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Al-Sharif, Manar (November 21, 2019). "Mohammed's battle for a better future for the people of Gaza". Plus 61J Media.
  3. ↑ "Gaza Youth Committee". Alliance for Middle East Peace. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  4. 1 2 3 Ebenstein, Ruth (July 17, 2018). "Skyping With Gaza". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Trew, Bel (2019-06-02). "How a Ramadan scheme is connecting Americans to besieged Palestinians". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. ↑ Schenker, Hillel (2019-05-11). "Bringing Hope to End the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict". Fair Observer. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  7. ↑ Deane, Yvette J. (2019-06-23). "Israelis and Palestinians participate in historic run for peace". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  8. ↑ "Gaza man: After lengthy torture, Hamas forced me to divorce". AP News. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
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