The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Don't wait to start making change

Okay, it’s time, I have to write. Since I have been asked to be a blogger for Ode when the magazine went online I sent in a staggering two entries. Being too busy while setting up The Hub in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, being my main excuse. But now I feel the urge to do something, because I have to, because I’m done feeling like I am a bystander with no influence. I’m talking about getting involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I am an Israeli by birth, and have lived there until I was seven years old. My education and field of work is, perhaps not entirely incidentally, in peace-building. My mission is to prove that we are better together, we know more, we can do more, and we can come up with more holistic and sustainable solutions.

That is why it feels so frustrating to have to watch the conflict flare up with a vengeance once again. In need of some hope I returned to a blog of an Israeli friend from Sderot and his Palestinian neighbor in Gaza which every intelligent optimist should know about. It reminded me of how powerful the impact of small initiatives can be. How most of us dream of simple things, like freedom and peace, and how some of us are actively trying to be part of the solution.

It encouraged me to step up and try to do something small myself as well. So I decided not to procrastinate any longer, and to start pursuing my wish to support people in areas of conflict to realize their own ideas for a better future. In a few days I’m off to Israel and Palestine to connect with those who want to work together on positive change. I am going to see how I can best support a brave entrepreneur who is ready to invite social innovators to collaborate in a space he has recently rented in Tel Aviv. I am going to meet other courageous souls in both Israel and Palestine who are interested to join this movement of people doing good. And I am looking forward to hear about those who I haven’t heard of yet, and those who are ready to start supporting them.