A Conversation with Peace Activists Osama Iliwat & Rotem Levin
Sunday, October 13th
1:00pm — 3:00pm

“We are for humanity. No one will be free
if the others live under occupation.
No one will be safe unless everyone is safe.”
The devastating escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine has left many feeling powerless, angry, and hopeless. But Rotem and Osama believe in a different reality and in the possibility of a shared future of security, equality, and justice for all people.
We invite you to hear their perspectives, vision, and experiences having worked and collaborated with different peace organizations such as the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated organization Combatants for Peace. They will share their personal stories of transformation, lessons of joint work, and the vastly different realities they face in the same land.
Osama and Rotem are living examples that understanding and co-resistance is possible.
Join us as they share their transformative journeys of trying to change the reality in Palestine and Israel, about humanity in times of dehumanization and war, and about their hope and the courage to share this hope publicly.
Osama Iliwat: Osama’s family is originally from East Jerusalem and was displaced like so many Palestinians around the world after the war of 67. He grew up in Jericho. He has been in the peace world for more than 15 years and co-founded ‘visit Palestine’ (NGO). Osama is active internationally and on the ground where he helps his community of Jericho and other communities in the West Bank, supporting them to stay on their land and rebuilding homes, parks and educating. He also offers political educational tours in the West Bank and goes to schools to talk with Palestinians and Israelis about, amongst other things, non-violent resistance and communication. Osama taught himself Hebrew in order to connect on the land. He also does trauma and healing work to support people on the land.
Osama was a speaker for TED Jaffa at the beginning of his peace journey and featured in many television interviews.
Rotem Levin: After his military service, Rotem participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. He began organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and for Palestinian and Israeli medical workers.
Now a committed activist and doctor by profession, he travels giving conferences. In 2020, Rotem moved to Beit Jala, a Palestinian village to improve his Arabic and understand better the Palestinian experience, living under military occupation. When Rotem is not giving conferences for peace internationally, he invests time creating healing spaces for Israelis and Palestinians.
In Person: The Village Zendo is at 260 West Broadway (entrance in the rear of the building on St. John’s Lane).
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