Robi Damelin

Robi Damelin is an Israeli peace activist. Her son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper while serving in the Israeli army reserves.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Biography

Damelin was born and raised in a progressive family in South Africa during apartheid. Her family was politically active in the anti-apartheid movement, her uncle having defended Nelson Mandela during the 1956 Treason Trial. Pressure from South African authorities due to Damelin's vocal opposition to the apartheid led to her moving to Israel in her 20s, as a volunteer, during the Six-Day War in June 1967. The war ended soon after she arrived, and she settled in a kibbutz, attending a Hebrew program to learn the language. Soon after, she got married and had two sons, David and Eran. She worked at The Jerusalem Post, then with immigrants. After her divorce, she relocated to Tel Aviv, where she ran a public relations company.

Death of son

Damelin's son, David was in the Israeli army reserves and was stationed at the Ofra checkpoint. He was killed by a Palestinian sniper on 3 March 2002, aged 28. The sniper was captured two years later in October 2004.[9]

Activism

Robi is the spokesperson and director of International Relations for The Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF), a grassroots organization made up of hundreds of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families working together for reconciliation and peace.[10][11][12][13]

She is a regular contributor to The Forward,[14] Haaretz[15] and other media outlets. She is the protagonist featured in a 2012 documentary, One Day after Peace, directed by Erez Laufer.[16] She has spoken at multiple international events, at universities, and at European Parliament.[17][18][19][20]

References
  1. "Robi Damelin - Personal Story". Parents Circle Families Forum. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  2. "Robi Damelin | Peacemaker". Peace is Loud. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  3. "Just Vision". justvision.org. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  4. "Robi Damelin | HuffPost". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  5. "Our Power is Our Pain". USAID Stories. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  6. "BBC World Service - Outlook, Israeli Mum: I'd Meet My Son's Killer". BBC. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  7. "Channeling Pain Toward Peace". Haaretz. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  8. "The Israeli and the Palestinian: 'We have discovered this joint pain'". the Guardian. 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  9. Norlian, Allison. "Her Son Was Killed By A Palestinian Sniper. Now, This Israeli Activist Works For Change In Israel/Palestine". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  10. "She's Israeli, he's an Arab. War has made them like mother and son". the Guardian. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  11. Abramian, Jackie. "As Violence Escalates In Israel, Parents Circle Becomes A Catalyst For Change". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  12. Zelniker, Anat. "Our Staff". Parents Circle Families Forum. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  13. "Women bridge Middle East divide". 2005-09-19. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  14. "Robi Damelin". The Forward. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  15. "Robi Damelin - Haaretz Com". www.haaretz.com. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  16. www.oberon.nl, Oberon Amsterdam, One Day After Peace | IDFA, retrieved 2021-11-19
  17. "House of Commons - International Development - Minutes of Evidence". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  18. "Hideously diverse Britain: a mother's plea". the Guardian. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  19. "International Peacemaker to Speak to William Peace University | William Peace University". 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  20. "USD Welcomes New Women Peacemakers - University of San Diego". www.sandiego.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
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