#109 Salt of the Earth

Standing for Collective Liberation

“No one will be free if the others live under occupation. No one will be safe unless everyone is safe.”

In this live SAND Community Gathering (November 2024) Zaya and Maurizio were in discussion with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists Osama lliwat & Rotem Levin who share their personal stories, describe the reality on the ground, and explain their vision for a path toward collective liberation.

Osama lliwat was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Jericho, after his family was displaced in 1967. In the peace world for more than 15 years and the co-founder of Visit Palestine, he has dedicated his life to nonviolent resistance. He has worked with the Sulha Peace Project and Interfaith Encounter Association, appeared in several documentaries including Objector and The Other, and speaks regularly on peacebuilding at organizations and universities around the world.

Rotem Levin was born and raised in Ein Vered. After his military service, he participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany, where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. This instigated a change in perspective on the story he was born and raised with. After this experience, he started organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan, where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and to Palestinian and Israeli medical workers. He is a committed activist and doctor by profession.

Topics:

• 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
• 00:45 – Context of the Gaza Conflict
• 03:33 – Osama Liwat’s Background
• 04:05 – Rotem Levin’s Background
• 09:41 – Rotem’s Personal Journey
• 20:11 – Reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• 27:35 – Living in the West Bank
• 33:35 – The Statelessness of Palestinians
• 34:30 – Personal Stories of Displacement
• 35:38 – Growing Up Amidst Conflict
• 43:19 – Acts of Resistance
• 54:03 – Encountering Peace Activists
• 01:02:29 – A Call for Unity and Humanity
• 01:06:47 – Final Reflections and Gratitude

Links:

• Watch Where Olive Trees Weep
• Purchase the full 23-video series Conversations on Palestine
• Learn more about the SAND Community Gatherings
• Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member