Friday, February 11, 2011

Middle East: Israeli and Palestinian Women Activists React to Middle East Unrest in Live Web Cast

Two young Israeli and Palestinian women activists will connect online with a worldwide audience on the effects the Middle East unrest is having on their lives, the actions they're taking, and how you can support them.

OneVoice invites you to talk about the Middle East unrest with these exceptional women activists in a live Web cast on Friday, Feb. 18, at 4 pm ET by clicking on the link to register: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=76823

Roza Helou, 28, and Dana Sender, 27, are among ordinary young people joining together to create an extraordinary moment poised to forever transform the political landscape of the Middle East.

"What translates across borders like wildfire is the unrivaled power of the people to change the course of history," said Darya Shaikh, OneVoice executive director.

This is the time for young Israelis and Palestinians to demand their leaders deliver on the promises. Dana and Roza are two women activists raising their voices and daring to change their lives.

Dana served in the Israeli army as a social worker. Caring for the welfare of soldiers in her unit made her especially close to them. Eight of them died in the line of duty; she had yet to turn 19 at the time.

"I found out this was not a normal reality and not the one I wanted for my children," said Dana, who joined OneVoice Israel's staff last year as the Youth Leadership Program director.

Roza was only ten-months-old when her father was sentenced to five years in prison for being a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Barely six when she went in hiding with her family for years, adopting a new identity. The hardships served to empower her.

"With my fellow Palestinian youth leaders, I'm taking real steps on the ground to end the conflict and the occupation so that future generations can live a normal life," said Roza.

OneVoice is an international grassroots movement that aims to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates, empowering them to demand a two-state solution. The movement educates and trains Israeli and Palestinian youth in leadership skills, non-violent activism, and democratic principles. To support and contribute to OneVoice, join us at www.onevoicemovement.org.

SOURCE OneVoice