South Mountain Peace Action is pleased to present "Encounter Point," at the very moment that President Obama is embracing its theme as central to his vision for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.
In his speech on the Middle East on May 19, 2011, President Obama said:
"I’m convinced that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians would rather look to the future than be trapped in the past. We see that spirit in the Israeli father whose son was killed by Hamas, who helped start an organization that brought together Israelis and Palestinians who had lost loved ones. That father said, 'I gradually realized that the only hope for progress was to recognize the face of the conflict.' " (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/19/remarks-president-middle-east-and-north-africa)
The organization cited by the President is called the Bereaved Families Forum and its members are the subject of "Encounter Point," which will be shown at the Maplewood Civic House on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm.
A discussion will follow the film, facilitated by Shlomi Ben Yair, an Israel-born filmmaker who lives in Maplewood. All points of view are welcome.
Admission is free.
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President Obama's reference yesterday to the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum reminds us that peace is a grassroots and personal issue, as well as a political issue, and that grief of victims of the conflict can be channeled to help end the conflict so that there will be no more victims.
If you would like more information or would like to RSVP, please call or write 973-763-9493 or peacefilms@beaboutpeace.com.
There is also more information on our website, www.beaboutpeace.com.
