Ending Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Through South Africa’s History

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13 2012 (IPS) - While Israel and Palestine are still embroiled in a seemingly never-ending dispute, the poignant film “One Day After Peace” wonders if the resolution for one of the world’s longest-running conflicts could follow the path of South Africa’s forgiveness and reconciliation.

“Making this film we didn’t want to reduce the question just to:  whether the South-African model of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) might work in the context of ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said Miri Laufer, Director of “One Day After Peace”, screened at U.N. headquarters last week.

“We wanted to elevate the level of discourse to the vision of the founders of the TRC, breaking the cycle of violence and revenge,” Laufer stated.

The film follows Robi Damelin, a mother who lost her son while he was serving in the Israeli Army reserve in the Occupied Territory.

Attempting to initiate contact with her son’s killer and his parents, her overtures were rejected and she decided to return in South Africa to understand how the country resolved all its political issues in the wake of apartheid area.

“It is clear that he did not kill David because he was David, he killed him because he was a symbol of an occupying army,” Damelin said.

Convinced of the key role played by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, she affirmed that “there would have been a bloodbath” without it. Just after the end of apartheid, the TRC began operating by giving forgiveness to everyone who told the truth.

Dealing with complex geopolitical issues in an emotional way, “One Day After Peace” points out the need to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The film asks questions such as:  if anyone acknowledges the pain they caused, combined with sincere remorse, could it really achieve reconciliation and ensure a better future for everyone?.

“I am not sure where life will next take me, my wish is that this film will bring some hope to people and encourage them to show compassion and  take action towards a more peaceful existence for the next generation,” Damelin said.