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The Bereaved Families' Forum - A Special Dialog Group

The Bereaved Families' Forum  was founded by Israeli businessman Yitzhak Frankenthal, whose son was killed by Palestinians while serving in the Israeli army.  Members are Palestinians and Israelis who have lost loved ones in the conflict. They have held numerous dialogs and taken joint action for peace, and continue to do so, even in the midst of the turmoil now gripping Israel and Palestine.

After the Israeli invasion of the West Bank in retaliation for the Passover Seder terror of 2002, Yitshak Frankenthal visited Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, on the eve of the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba (disaster) day (commemorating the declaration of Israeli independence in 1948).

Yitshak Frankenthal on the Suicide Bombing that broke the Hudna: Between Revenge and Murder  Hebrew    Arabic

Frankenthal writes about his visit with Yasser Arafat here.  

At the very worst time of conflict, the forum began a traveling exhibit of coffins that won headlines in Israel and the US.

Previously, the forum opened a peace tent in Tel Aviv's Rabin square, which became the center for practical activity and organization, as well as prayers and meetings. Yitzhak Frankenthal wrote a letter summarizing this time, and plans for the future.

Final Message From the Peace Tent

Recently, Families' Forum members Roni and Mira Hirshenson lost a second son to the conflict, after losing one son in the Beit Lid bombing of 1995. Their son El'ad committed suicide after his best friend was killed while serving in the IDF at the infamous Netzarim junction outpost, which protects the Netzarim settlement in Gaza. Yitzhak Frankenthal wrote about this sad event to settlers at Netzarim, asking them if land is more precious than human life.

The text of the letter in English

The text of the letter in Hebrew

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle recently outlined the history of the Bereaved Families Forum and its recent dialog efforts during the violence. Twelve members of the Forum held a meeting in London - because meetings elsewhere were impractical, and formulated a plan of action to bring about cessation of violence through Palestinian activism and withdrawal from settlements through Israeli activism.

Article about the Bereaved Families' Forum (San-Francisco Chronicle)

Days Of Closure - Dec. 25, 2000

An analysis of the current situation by Yitzhak Frankenthal

Settlements and Peace - Yitzhak Frankenthal

Dialog Meeting Held in London - Joint action to Stop the Violence

Current Dialog Activities and Background

Draft Palestinian-Israeli Treaty and Draft Jewish-Arab Social Contract


How You Can Help

We, Bereaved Families' Forum can and must influence the public in Israel and Palestine. We have been active for the past 6 years. Both sides regard us as credible. Our credibility stems from the common understanding that we have paid the price for the absence of peace. Everyone understands that we do not act out of love for the other side but out of love for our own people. Bereaved Palestinians love their own people and bereaved Israelis love their own people.

Please, any contribution will help.

In Israel, contributions can be sent direct to the following address:

Bank Hapoalim, Branch 567
Asia House,
A/C # 293505

Please advise us directly via e-mail that you have sent your contribution to the bank.

In the U.S., tax-deductible donations can be made via:

P.E.F ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC.
317 Madison Avenue, Suite 607
New York, NY 10007

Form Letter for Donations

P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc.

Date _____________

Enclosed is my contribution of $ ____________________ with a recommendation to your trustees that it be used for:

Organization : PARENTS’ CIRCLE

Name: ___________________________________________

(DONOR) please print

Address ________________________________________________________

(DONOR)

________________________________________________________

Minimum contribution accepted is $25.00.

Gifts are tax deductible only if made payable to P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. (IRS No. 6104086)

Upon request a copy of the last Annual Report filed by P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. with the New York Secretary of State may be obtained from either P.E.F. Israel Endowment Fund, Inc., 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 607, New York NY 10017 or the office of the New York Secretary of State, 162 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12226.

Thank you,

Yitzhak Frankenthal frankent@netvision.net.il

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