On a lovely summer evening in Geneva, B8 of Hope had the privilege of bringing together five activists from two of our grantee organizations—Combatants for Peace and EMDR 4 Peace—with key donors and members of B8 of Hope Next Gen.
Gathered outdoors, the activists spoke personally and honestly about the paths that brought them to this work, the immense difficulty of continuing amid so much violence and pain, and the commitment that keeps them moving forward. Combatants for Peace brings together Palestinian former fighters and Israeli former soldiers who have rejected violence and now work side by side through nonviolent action. EMDR 4 Peace unites Palestinian and Israeli therapists working to address trauma and extend healing through the training of other mental-health professionals.
The evening was deeply meaningful, emotional, and at times challenging—but it was also profoundly hopeful. Encounters like this create a rare space for mutual encouragement. The activists remind us why hope remains possible, even when the reality feels overwhelming. And we, as a community surrounding them from afar, have the opportunity to remind them that they are not alone—that their courage is seen, their work matters, and there are people in Switzerland committed to standing beside them.
These are some of the most precious moments in B8 of Hope’s work: moments when support becomes personal, distance briefly disappears, and hope is renewed in both directions.
Through partnership with Solutions Not Sides and gatherings with activists, supporters, and B8 of Hope Next Gen members, a diverse London community is beginning to grow around dialogue, shared humanity, and support for peacebuilders.
Ten Palestinian and Israeli New Story Leadership alumni spent a week together in Geneva developing the Phoenix Plan—a joint vision for Gaza’s reconstruction and a different political future.
Visiting Washington, DC in 2024, Mehra Rimer carried the work of B8 of Hope’s grantees into conversations with policymakers and peacebuilding institutions—and saw ideas developed in Geneva reach the halls of power.