Hope in Bloom: This Jerusalem Day, ALLMEP Members Mobilize to De-escalate Violence, honor the city’s legacy of peace

In the past few years, Jerusalem Day has been used as a call to right-wing Israeli settler violence against Palestinians who live in the holy city. This year, ALLMEP members anticipated the reality and showed up to protect the city’s legacy of peace. 

Below are just a handful of the activities they’ve undertaken to promote peace in one of the holiest cities on earth.  

Tag Meir, a group dedicated to ending racism in Israeli society, participated in their annual Flower March. Instead of marching through Jerusalem with flags, Tag Meir handed out flowers to people in the streets, sharing a gesture of growth, nature, and friendship on a day that is hard for so many.

Looking the Occupation in the Eye took a stand at Nablus Gate in Jerusalem, confronting settler violence against Palestinians.

One of our newer members, Hope Incubator, shared in celebrating the march. “Thousands of flowers, one simple message: Jerusalem belongs to us all.” Amidst so much despair, they remind us that events such as these showcase #HopeinBloom.

Our member organization, Standing Together, put their bodies on the line to prevent violence against local Palestinians. They came in a humanitarian brigade to stand between violent settlers and local residents. The power and intensity of their activism prevented some serious escalation, and we’re proud of the work they do in their purple vests. 

This week, members of Rabbis for Human Rights led an Interfaith March in Jerusalem, walking from Zion Square to Jaffa Gate to stand united against war and in support of human rights and peace.

ALLMEP members remain unwavering in their dedication to peace, cooperation, justice, and equality in Israel and Palestine. The many efforts to transform a day often marked by violence into one of hope help lay the foundation for a more just and peaceful future for all in Israel and Palestine.