Developing sister cities between the U.S., Israel, and Palestine

A modest program in our little city is giving me hope about the Middle East.

Like most peace and justice activists, I’ve lost confidence in our political system to respond to citizens using the ordinary channels to effect social change. Many of us have learned from the bitter experience of the build-up to the invasion of Iraq. We stood on street corners holding signs, endorsed paid ads in major newspapers, visited congressional offices, wrote letters, signed petitions, organized vigils, and community meetings.

But recent events are giving me hope. On the national and international stage, the Arab Spring and the Occupy movement, like the civil rights movement, have been driven by the creativity and commitment of ordinary people.

Here in north-central Florida, our Gainesville FOR chapter is supporting the work of the all-volunteer Gainesville Sister Cities Program.

Steve Kalishman, a local attorney (left), founded the program, beginning with a connection between Gainesville and Novorosslisk, Russia, and expanding to a unique three-way partnership among Gainesville, the Israeli city of Kfar Saba and the Palestinian city of Qalqilya. Several delegations from Gainesville have visited both cities, and delegations from both cities have visited us. 

Because of the wall that surrounds Qalqilya, communication between our Israeli and Palestinian partners now happens only through us. This has led Steve to develop plans to connect other American, Israeli, and Palestinian cities — a bold initiative in the current political climate that gives me hope.

To learn more about the program or to apply for this year’s delegation, contact Steve by e-mail or phone at 352.376.8600.

Rev. Eve MacMaster is pastor of Emmanuel Mennonite Church and leader of the Gainesville Interfaith Peace Coalition.