The event, “Peace in Progress: Women's Voices on Justice and Repair, A Conversation with Israeli & Palestinian Peacemakers,” was a roundtable-style discussion that created space for an honest and deeply human conversation about peacebuilding in the current moment. Hosted in collaboration with Combatants for Peace, the session brought together two speakers, Noa Harrell and Nimala Kharoufeh, who shared their lived experiences working across conflict lines and their ongoing efforts to support communities, particularly in Gaza, amid continued violence and instability.

The structure of the event was intentionally simple and conversational. After a brief welcome and introduction, the speakers shared their personal stories, how they each came to peacebuilding work, and what it means to engage in nonviolent co-resistance in a context shaped by trauma, loss, and political tension. Their perspectives were especially powerful because they came from different lived experiences, one Israeli and one Palestinian, yet were grounded in a shared commitment to dialogue, accountability, and collective healing. The core of the event was an open Q&A discussion, which allowed for a more honest and unscripted exchange. Rather than a formal presentation, the conversation centered on real-time questions about what their work actually looks like right now, especially in relation to Gaza. They spoke about the challenges of continuing peacebuilding efforts during ongoing conflict, the emotional toll of the work, and the importance of maintaining relationships and dialogue even in moments of deep grief and division.

A major theme throughout was the idea of choosing repair over revenge, and how that choice is not abstract, but something that requires constant effort, especially in a context where communities are experiencing loss and fear. They also emphasized the role of grassroots movements like Combatants for Peace in creating alternative pathways forward, rooted in solidarity, nonviolence, and shared humanity.  The event concluded with closing remarks and informal conversation, giving participants space to continue engaging with the speakers and reflect on what they had heard. Overall, the discussion stood out for how honest and grounded it felt, less about presenting solutions, and more about sharing what it actually looks like to do peacebuilding work in real time, in the middle of ongoing conflict.