📍From Belfast, to Bethlehem, to Selma Standing by the so-called “peace lines”—the Belfast walls separating Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods—I couldn’t help but think of the Israeli separation wall cutting through downtown Bethlehem. I wasn’t the only one to make this connection: the wall in Belfast was covered in murals about Palestine. Some were drawn by artists in Gaza, the sketches sent over, and then recreated in Belfast by local artists. This connection—and many others—is why we launched our peacemaking experience in Ireland & Northern Ireland. Traveling through Northern Ireland can help us identify and uncover historical and contemporary forces that are active not only in that context—but in all the locations in which we work. Even though the stories, people, and certainly the weather are quite different, the dynamics of colonialism, division, and hierarchy in Ireland/Northern Ireland often work in nearly identical ways as they do in Israel-Palestine or the United States. As peacemakers, walking and listening in Ireland/Northern Ireland is deeply illuminating. We know that wherever we go, if we are to work toward true healing, we must first uncover the underlying root causes behind conflict and violence. In Northern Ireland, we are reminded of how universal this truth is—and how, in order to be effective organizers and changemakers, we must choose to look behind the headlines. On this trip we do just that. We meet and learn from incredible local leaders, activists, and organizers, who are not only inspiring but also offer deep insight and share tools and ideas that are relevant across boundaries and contexts. We designed this trip with learning and action in mind, but even we couldn’t imagine how timely, necessary, and powerful it would be. 🌍 Come join us this September 5 - 13 on our peacemaking trip to Ireland & Northern Ireland, and let’s listen, learn, and take action, together. Register via link in bio! - Eli Philip, Program Manager, Israel/Palestine and Ireland/Northern Ireland (fb)

Join with others in solidarity around the country to protest of the ongoing starvation and bombardment of the people of Gaza. While groups like @fosnalive have committed to 40-day total or 250 calorie fasts, others such as the @afsc_org are heading up single-day fasts to encourage wide participation. Even if you cannot fast in the traditional sense, there are multiple ways that you can still participate! Some options include: 💲 Donating the daily cost of your meals to Gaza aid organizations like World Central Kitchen and Gaza Soup Kitchen. 🍚 Eating only simple meals or forgoing takeout for a set time period, donating the savings. 🍴 Committing to a reduced calorie intake. While the average daily calorie intake for adults is around 2,000, the people of Gaza are surviving on 250 calories a day. Join the pledge and find more information at the link in our bio. Share your journey through #FastForGaza (fb)