Israeli-Palestinian Combatants for Peace event Aug. 14-15, Chicago

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace invites you to a luncheon and discussion

With Israeli Yonatan Gur and Palestinian Riyad al Halees of Combatants for Peace

Hosted by Charles E. Dobrusin and moderated by Aliza Becker, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom

Tuesday, August 14 at 12 noon

10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1800 (between Madison & Monroe 1/2 block west of Wacker)
Chicago, IL 60606
Please RSVP to aliza@btvshalom.org or (312) 341-1205 by Sunday, August 13 and indicate if you would like a vegetarian meal. All food will be Kosher. Site is accessible.

Bios

Yonatan Gur was born in 1979 on a kibbutz in the western Galilee. He is presently a third year history student at Tel Aviv University and works as a reporter for the "Yedioth Aharonot" newspaper and as a group moderator in non-formal education projects. During primary and high school, he was active as a group leader in youth movements and as a member of the "Peace Now" youth organization. After high school and a year of volunteer social service he was drafted by the Israel Defense Forces, eventually serving as a platoon commander in the armored corps. Yonatan joined "Combatants for Peace" in February 2006, and since then has been an active member of this movement.

Riyad al Halees was born in 1979 in Hebron, south of Jerusalem. He holds a BA degree in sociology from Bir Zeit University in Ramallah, where he now lives. Riyad was arrested several times and served time in Israeli prisons for participation in actions against the Israeli occupation. In 2003 Riyad was severely injured from shots fired by Israeli soldiers. His brother was killed in the incident. Following that event Riyad gradually realized that violence only leads to more violence and that a non-violent struggle is the only way to end the occupation and achieve peace. It was for the promotions of these ideas that Riyad joined CFP and has become one of its most prominent members

About Combatants for Peace

We are a group of Israeli and Palestinian individuals who were actively involved in the cycle of violence in our area. The Israelis served as combat soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces and the Palestinians were involved in acts of violence in the name of Palestinian liberation. We all used weapons against one another, and looked at each other only through weapon sights; however today we cooperate and commit ourselves to the following:

* We no longer believe that the conflict can be resolved through violence.
* We believe that the blood shed will not end unless we act together to terminate the occupation and stop all forms of violence.
* We call for the establishment of a Palestinian State, alongside the State of Israel. The two states can exist in peace and security beside each other.
* We will use only non-violent means to achieve our goals and call for both societies to end violence.

Aliza Becker, Deputy Director
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
11 E. Adams, Suite 707
Chicago, IL 60603

Ph: (312) 341-1205
Fax: (312) 341-1206
E-mail: Aliza@btvshalom.org
Web: www.btvshalom.org