Ibrahim Issa

Peace Starts with Yourself

by Pam Perry

A few years ago I met Ibrahim Issa from the Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem - he is the Project Coordinator of the school and a remarkable peace activist. His and the school's philosophy is that 'peace starts with yourself'.

In 2000 when Hussein Issa, the school's founder, died his son Ibrahim was studying for a doctorate in engineering in Holland. He had a big personal choice to make and he did so when a friend said to him "There are many engineers in the world but not many peace activists - so what do you think will make a bigger difference?". Since then this gentle man in his late thirties has worked tirelessly for his vision of building a Palestinian model of non-violence.

Ibrahim lives in Bethlehem with his wife and family. He works tirelessly for the school, which is developing year by year and now is quietly a world leader in peace and democracy oriented education for children. Apart from giving a good eduation to disadvantaged West Bank children, Ibrahim's work directly contributes, both locally and further afield, to that big question that has affected us since 9/11: how do we remove the causes of terrorism and violence?

This is not easy, since polarised opinion on both sides sees an approach based on reconciliation and understanding to be threatening to their cause. In the 1980s his father Hussein was accused of collaboration with the enemy by some Palestinians - though this has now died down. Then in December 2002 Ibrahim was arrested by Israeli forces, held and questioned for three days before an international outcry secured his release. He was accused of harbouring a terrorist - a man who had rented the basement of Ibrahim's home, who came under suspicion. Ibrahim's home was partially demolished - again international intervention prevented worse damage.

Ibrahim told me that his ordeal had taught him a great deal and that it had strengthened his resolve to work for peace and reconciliation. While imprisoned with many others in a small, bare cell he observed that their Israeli captors were shaking with fear as much as the captives. He says that it is fear that is at the root of the troubles between the people of the Land of the Prophets.

After his release he wrote the following:

I believe that the Palestinians and Israelis are circulating in a spiral of violence since 2000. Their decisions are based on action and reaction. I believe that every act of terror is a result of an unhealed wound. I believe also that I can deal with my wounds and I can heal them in a peaceful way. Therefore I have no plans to ask the Israeli authorities to pay for damages to our house, because it would be an adversarial move that would only engender more ill-will. I feel it will not be appropriate from me as peace activist. Many thanks for your support to me and my family during these horrible days.

For many years it has been international support that has enabled the remarkable work of the school to continue. Ibrahim says that all are welcome to visit (they have guest accommodation at the school) and assist by volunteering to work at the school for 1-3 months - you can find out more on the Hope Flowers website.

Periodically, Ibrahim visits Europe to raise support for the school, and if you would like to be informed when he next visits, please .

Meeting with Ibrahim is a moving experience - he is a young man who embodies his words, 'peace starts with yourself'.

Hope Flowers School is a Palestinian school in al Khader in south Bethlehem, founded in 1984 and dedicated to education for coexistence, peace, non-violence and democracy. Until a few years ago the staff and students visited Jewish schools inside Israel and Jewish children visited Hope Flowers School - though this is no longer permitted by the Israeli authorities.

There are joint ventures that Palestinian and Jewish pupils have taken part in, such as agricultural and arts projects but these are very difficult to keep going because of the impossible obstacles around movement into and out of Bethlehem for Jews and Palestinians alike. There is a programme of Jewish volunteers teaching students arts, computers and Hebrew. The school also sponsors a series of peace education workshops for Palestinian and Israeli educators - these are now taking place outside of the Holy Land due to travel restrictions between Israel and Palestine.

For full information about the school, click here: Hope Flowers School