The Combatants for Peace (CfP) movement was initiated jointly by Palestinians and Israelis who have taken an active part in the cycle of violence; Israelis as soldiers in the Israeli Army (IDF) and Palestinians as part of the violent struggle for Palestinian freedom. After seeing each other only through weapon sights for many years, CfP members have decided to put down their guns and fight for peace.
They aim to raise the level of consciousness of both publics regarding the hopes and suffering of the other side. They strive to create partners in dialogue as well as to educate people towards reconciliation and nonviolent struggle in both the Israeli and Palestinian societies. They also work to build political pressure on both governments in order to stop the cycle of violence, end the occupation and resume a constructive dialogue.
CfP holds regular combatants meetings in order to understand the others’ narrative via their approaches to reconciliation. It implements educational lecture series in public forums on both sides (universities, youth groups, schools, etc.) given jointly by Israeli and Palestinian veterans. It also holds nonviolence education projects and participates in demonstrations against the occupation as a bi-national group.
Combatants for Peace has set up bi-national media teams in order to influence public opinion. It also uses theatre activities based on Augusto Boal's 'Theatre of the Oppressed' to bring change, work together to end the occupation and build a peace based on nonviolent principles.