January 16, 2007


ORANGE -- A former Israeli soldier and a former Palestinian combatant and prisoner tonight will discuss their advocacy of nonviolent alternatives for achieving a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The event begins at 7 p.m at Temple Emanuel of Greater new Haven, 150 Derby Ave.

Former Israeli soldier Elik Elhanan and former Palesitnian prisoner Sulaiman Al Hamri represent the Israeli-Palestinian group Combatants for Peace. They are in Greater New Haven as part of a 22-city national tour of the United States, sponsored by the chapters of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom.

Their talk tonight is their frsit time before an American Jewish audience.

They will share their experience in moving from veteran fighters to peace advocates.

They will discuss the violent actions in which they played a part and turning points at which each "recognized the limited utility of violence, as well as how their personal histories led them to believe that a negotiated two-state solution and the engagement of the international community in facilitating it are critical to the national aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians," organizers said.

The Combatants for Peace movement was founded in 2005 by Israelis and Palestinians.