The Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony, held following Israeli Memorial Day, is a reminder that war is not an act of fate but one of human choice. Israelis and Palestinians acknowledge the pain and the aspirations of those living on the “other side” and strive to prevent the next wave of violence. Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families speak about their personal pain along with musical and artistic performances.
Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians participate every year in this special event produced and led by Combatants for Peace with the collaboration of the Parents Circle. Americans can also mark this day in their communities by acknowledging the loss of life on both sides and by saying that the cycle of violence must end.
The ceremony was initiated by Buma Inbar, who lost his son Jotam in 1995 while serving with the Golani Brigade in Lebanon. Since the first event in 2006, the number of participants has increased yearly. In 2018, over 7,000 people attended.
