Talk with prize winning Parents Circle in our office
The day after receiving the International Nuremberg Human Rights Award 2025, the representatives of Parents Circle – Families Forum, Laila AlSheikh and Robi Damelin, visited us. The evening was marked by moving testimonies, honest dialogue, and deep reflection on what reconciliation can look like in the face of violence and loss.
Who They Are
The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a unique joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of more than 800 families who have lost immediate relatives to the conflict. Founded in 1995, the group brings together bereaved Israelis and Palestinians in a shared commitment: transforming personal grief into a force for dialogue, empathy, and non-violence. For this courageous work, PCFF was honored this year with the International Nuremberg Human Rights Award.
An Evening of Testimonies and Dialogue
In their meeting with our organization, the award winners shared their stories with remarkable openness. They both spoke about the profound pain of losing a child, a sibling, or a parent – but also about the deliberate choice not to let grief fuel hatred. Instead, they work tirelessly to build bridges between communities, advocating that reconciliation and peace are possible even under the most difficult circumstances. Both remarkable speakers emphasized the power of personal narratives to transform societies torn apart by conflict. Even for the Israelite Religious Community in Nuremberg, which was very skeptical at first, this transformation was palpable.
„Don’t be pro, except pro human rights.“
During the ceremony of the International Nuremberg Human Rights Award, Robi stated: „Don’t be pro Israel or pro Palestine, be part of the solution.“ She then concluded „and if you can’t be part of the solution, leave us alone.“ The following day, during our conversation at our office, she elaborated on these words, adding: „Don’t be pro, except pro human rights.“
She then explained that the PCFF’s work is about finding common ground in mutual respect as a first and highly needed step for a real and sustainable peace process. Her fellow member Laila supported this perspective by emphasizing that she does not care if there are one, two or even more sovereign states as long as there is mutual respect for each other.
„What happens in the West Bank should worry us just as much.“
Robi reminded us that our attention must not only be on the catastrophic situation in and around Gaza and the hostages, but also on the daily realities in the West Bank.: „What happens in the West Bank should worry us just as much.“ She pointed out that the PCFF has two offices, one in Israel and one in the West Bank and that it is very hard to keep in touch with each other because of the heavy restrictions that are in place. Laila, who lives in the West Bank with her family, explained the physically and emotionally very stressful situation in the West Bank. The movement of people is heavily restricted, the daily needed infrastructure is completely insufficient and the danger of being killed is always present. This should be a reminder for ourselves, to keep our focus not just on the gross violations that happen in Gaza with the local population and the hostages but also in the West Bank.
Beyond Personal Stories
The conversation went beyond individual testimonies. The PCFF also spoke about their educational and advocacy programs:
- Dialogue encounters in schools and universities, where bereaved members share their experiences directly with young people.
- Cross-border initiatives that bring Israelis and Palestinians together for joint workshops, art projects, and commemorations.
- Public campaigns that challenge stereotypes and remind both societies that peace is not only necessary but possible.
These initiatives have reached tens of thousands of people over the years, despite resistance and political headwinds. Their work demonstrates that reconciliation is not an abstract ideal but a daily practice. Regarding practical implementation, we also discussed how such a promising educational program could be implemented at German universities as well.
Audience Reactions
Our members and invited guests described the evening as both “thought-provoking and inspiring.” Many emphasized how powerful it was to hear first-hand accounts from individuals who could easily have retreated into silence or resentment but instead chose dialogue. The discussion highlighted the courage required to speak across divides and the hope that such courage can inspire others to follow.
Why It Matters
The presence of the PCFF in Nuremberg carried also great symbolic weight. Nuremberg, once synonymous with injustice and crimes against humanity, has transformed into a place that honors human rights defenders from around the world. In this setting, the PCFF’s message was amplified: reconciliation and peace begin not in diplomatic chambers but in the courage of individuals willing to listen to one another.
As our chairman Felix Krauß summed the conversation up: „It is an honor to have you here tonight. Listening to you is heartbreaking as well as heartwarming at the same time.“ Especially during this challenging time, we stand with PCFF and are hopeful that their powerful message will touch so many more hearts to lay the groundwork for mutual respect and authentic peace talks in this long-standing conflict.
