An Alternative Path Forward
                                 This program is sponsored by the William Ira Heinie fund for Courageous Conversation

Gershon Baskin and Samer Sinjilawi will be joining us from West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem. Gershon and Samer will share with us their understanding of the on-going efforts to free the hostages and end the war in Gaza; their long-term vision for safety and peace between Israel and a future Palestine; and how we may contribute to that vision. 

There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Gershon Baskin is a political and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to peace between Israel and its neighbors. He was the founder of the Israeli Palestinian Public Policy Institute and is the Co-Director of the Holy Land Bond, which is dedicated to supporting the path to a shared society in Israel and peaceful relations between Israel and Palestine. Gershon initiated and was a negotiator of the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. We are pleased to welcome Gershon back to OPT who spoke with our congregation in 2014.

Samer Sinijlawi is a Palestinian political activist born and living in East Jerusalem. He is the founding chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund, a public corporation aiming to facilitate the development of Jerusalem by encouraging and sponsoring housing projects, hotels, commercial centers, and educational institutions. 
 

Gershon recently authored “The Path Not Taken”

Samer was recently interviewed by the Times of Israel: “Palestinian wants both sides to see the conflict through each other’s eyes”