Non-profit peace organization for Palestinian and Israelis
Roots – Judur – Shorashim is a non-profit based in the West Bank area of Gush Etzion, which aims to promote dialog and eventually trust between Israelis and Palestinian as a path to peace.
History.
In January 2014, community activists Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, along with others, formed "Roots", which was initially situated on Awwad's family's land near the village of Beit Ummar in the West Bank. The first meetings between Israelis and Palestinians occurred on the property later that month. Later that year, Roots developed a partnership with B8 of Hope, a Geneva-based associations that supports grassroots efforts in Israel-Palestine.
In November 2015, the group protested the arrest of a Palestinian member's son, who was charged with stone throwing.
In 2019, Palestinian members of the group sent a letter of condolence to the family of Dvir Sorek, a Jewish settler and member of Roots, following his murder, in which they condemned the violence committed against him. The non-profit also hosted a dialog meeting between Sorek's yeshiva classmates and Palestinian members of the group.
In 2020, the group opposed plans for Israeli to annex parts of the West Bank.
Activity.
Roots organizes meetings between Israelis and Palestinians who live near each other in the West Bank in order to create dialogue. The project's outreach program includes monthly meetings between Israeli and Palestinian families, a women's group, work with school children, and engagement with local leaders. A centrally-located site in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank is used as a meeting area.
The project's programs have included photography workshops, summer camps for children, breakfasts, and shared Iftar meals. Other programs focus on language learning and cultural exchanges. Roots also works in America and Europe via their annual speaking tour. Recently, Roots has begun to partner with Atidna International as Roots' campus affiliated organization. Founded by peace activist (and Roots board member) Elijah Kahlenberg, Atidna is the only campus-based organization working to bring Jewish/Arab and Israeli/Palestinian students together for dialogue and peace-building initiatives on college campuses.
Beyond the activities held on-site, Roots members have visited both Israeli and Palestinian victims of violence, helped Palestinian farmers to access farmland near Israeli settlements, and carried out joint charity drives, including blood drives. The group also holds an annual Run for Reconciliation. 