Listening from the Heart

This event took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Watch the discussion: 

This event aimed to sharing the human side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the public in order to foster a peace and reconciliation process. 

The Parents Circle — Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 750 bereaved families. Through their educational activities, these bereaved members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on journeys of reconciliation.

To learn more about the organization, visit their website. 

Participant Biographies

Robi Damelin, spokesperson and director of International Relations for the Parents Circle — Families Forum, joined the organization after her son was killed by a Palestinian sniper. All her work on the ground in Palestine, Israel, and internationally is geared towards non-violence and reconciliation as a means to end the occupation. Robi was named as a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World.

Layla Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6-month-old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Layla joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.

Mor Ynon is based in Tel Aviv. On October 7, 2023, her parents, Belha and Yaakov, were killed in their home in Moshav Netiv Ha’Asara by Hamas. The pain of losing them was a wake-up call and a reminder to pursue peace with a commitment to equality, justice, and security for everyone. Today she serves as the Israeli co-chair of the Parents Circle Board.

Sima Mohammed Awad is from Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. She is 20 years old and is an English student. Sima lost her brother Mahmoud when she was 3 years old. Eventually she came to the realization that the only way to prevent further pain and the loss of more children is through dialogue and reconciliation. Sima was raised to always know of her brother’s dedication to her and it is with this love that she works for a different reality.