The International Peace Conference in GIGA Hamburg took place at the beginning of July 2025. Just a moment ago, right after Ben-Gurion Airport opened, we didn’t know if the conference would happen or not.

 

It’s fair to say that for several years now, we’ve been uncertain whether and how we would manage to meet, but we know how important it is. Meetings during this period often feel challenging and hopeless, yet at these very moments, their significance increases. Despite the difficulties, we find that these gatherings give us strength, foster connections, build trust, and create a shared desire to work together for change.

 

Amidst the chaos, connections are formed that enable us not only to feel but also to echo outward and act together.

So, we met in Hamburg, Germany, hosted by GIGA, for three intensive days of conversations—Jews and Palestinians from around the world. We thought together, reflected, questioned, shared ideas and narratives, talked and wrote about ways to address the challenges of the Middle East and this never-ending painful conflict.