Don’t let Bassam’s voice be silenced Bassam Aramin is a bereaved Palestinian father. His 10-year-old daughter was killed by an Israeli soldier outside her school. He never sought revenge. Instead, he chose peace—speaking alongside bereaved Israelis to show the world that reconciliation is possible. Now, his voice is being silenced. This weekend, the US government … Continue reading SILENCED
Building Space for Joy in the West Bank
Building Space for Joy in the West Bank The Parents Circle has partnered with two Palestinian villages in the West Bank: Bardala, in the Jordan Valley, and Umm Al-Khair, in the South Hebron Hills. Both of these villages are under consistent threat from both settlers and the Israeli military. Villagers have had cars burned, houses … Continue reading Building Space for Joy in the West Bank
Welcome New Board Member, Ani Zonneveld
We are honored to introduce you to the newest Board Member of the American Friends of the Parents Circle – Families Forum: Ani Zonneveld. Ani is a Malaysian‑American singer‑songwriter, activist, and writer based in Los Angeles. The daughter of a Malaysian ambassador, she was raised across Germany, Egypt, and India before moving to the U.S. … Continue reading Welcome New Board Member, Ani Zonneveld
Reflections from Palestine and Israel
Reflections from Palestine and Israel July 2, 2025 In June, the American Friends of the Parents Circle visited Israel and Palestine for a solidarity visit, learning tour, and team building retreat with our Parents Circle colleagues. We met with bereaved members, dedicated Israeli and Palestinian staff, and those most impacted by violence. Ayala Metzger, whose … Continue reading Reflections from Palestine and Israel
Enough! Campaign
Today the Parents Circle launched an unprecedented campaign, on billboards throughout Israeli and Palestinian territories: Enough! Halas! Maspik! The billboards have been placed in central locations throughout Israeli and Palestinian territories to express a joint call to end the war, for everyone to return to their homes, end the occupation, and adopt political solutions – … Continue reading Enough! Campaign
Tears Know No Borders
Over the summer, a Hezbollah rocket hit a soccer field and killed 12 children in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, in northern Israel. The Parents Circle went to meet the grieving parents who are also full of hope and a deep desire to live in peace and without violence. The families we met felt … Continue reading Tears Know No Borders
Urgent Update Re: USAID
Today our team in Israel and Palestine received this message from USAID: Dear Partner: Your award is being terminated for convenience and the interests of the U.S. Government pursuant to a directive from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his capacity as the Acting Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development…Secretary Rubio and … Continue reading Urgent Update Re: USAID
Our hands are shaking
Nadine Quomsieh and Ayelet HarelPalestinian and Israeli co-DirectorsParents Circle – Families Forum January 15, 2025 Our hands shake as we write this—barely believing this moment has come. A flood of emotions—excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and deep sorrow—overwhelms us. This war has cost us too much. Our hearts have been torn apart every single day over the … Continue reading Our hands are shaking
The Pope describes the work of the Parents Circle as “ very courageous”
Two prominent members of the Parents Circle and the Palestinian co-CEO met with Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, in the Vatican on Monday, August 26th in a private meeting that they described as “powerful, deeply important and empathetic.” The three – director Nadine Quomsieh, and former co-directors Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan – … Continue reading The Pope describes the work of the Parents Circle as “ very courageous”
Ceasefire Now
We, the Parents Circle, along with over 35 other civil society and human rights organizations, call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demand the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. An immediate ceasefire will prevent further loss of civilian lives and facilitate access to vital aid for Gaza to … Continue reading Ceasefire Now
