Search for Common Ground has announced the recipients of this year's annual Eliav-Sartawi Awards for Middle Eastern Journalism. These Awards are given annually to recognize and encourage journalism that contributes to better understanding between people in the Middle East. The winning articles provide insight into regional issues and debates, contribute to political dialogue, expose readers to new perspectives and help to lay the groundwork for peaceful solutions to Middle Eastern conflict.
The awards were conceived and funded by J. Zel Lurie, veteran American journalist, Columbia J39, who began his journalist career in 1933 as the Palestine Post's first reporter. Mr. Lurie sought to give recognition to journalists whose work promotes greater understanding between Arabs and Israelis.
by Bassam Aramin "I will not rest until the soldier responsible for my daughter's death is put on trial and made to face what he has done. I will see to it that the world does not forget my daughter, my lovely Abir," writes Bassam Aramin. "But I will not seek vengeance. No, I will continue the work I have undertaken with my Israeli brothers. I will fight with all I have within me to see that Abir's name, Abir's blood, becomes the bridge that finally closes the gap between us, the bridge that allows Israelis and Palestinians to finally, inshallah, live in peace."
(Source: Forward, 9 February 2007)
by Gershon Baskin "No one is leaving this land and no one will succeed in forcing the other to leave. We all know it. The entire world knows it. We have accepted to divide the land. They too have accepted it," writes Gershon Baskin. "How do we convince them that we really want peace, how do they convince us? How do we both put an end to all of the sorrow and pain? How do we each acknowledge the pain and sorrow of the other side? Perhaps only when we will celebrate each others freedom."
(Source: The Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2007)
by Salameh Nematt In an unprecedented event, two of the Middle East's most respected journalists, Salameh Nematt, an Arab, and Akiva Eldar, an Israeli, exchange heartfelt letters. This exchange, commissioned by the Common Ground News Service (CGNews), appeared simultaneously on December 26 in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds and the American newspaper Baltimore Sun.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 26 December 2006)
