In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, and during the devastating war in Gaza, public discourse became increasingly polarized. Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders continued their work in a landscape marked by grief, fear, anger, and profound loss.
At such moments, culture can do something essential. It can slow people down long enough to listen. It can bring forward voices that are often ignored. It can challenge the idea that the only choices are hatred, despair, or choosing one people’s pain over another’s.
What B8 of Hope Supported
In 2024, B8 of Hope contributed to the creation and production of Résister pour la Paix, a documentary film directed by Hanna Assouline and Sonia Terrab.
The film returns to Israel and the Palestinian territories one year after the directors’ initial journey, capturing the voices of peace activists who remain committed to justice and peace after October 7 and during the war in Gaza.
The documentary travels through Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, kibbutzim, and checkpoints. Through these places, it weaves together the personal stories of Israelis and Palestinians who continue to build bridges across divides, even after suffering deep personal losses, including the loss of family members before and during the current war.
What the Grant Made Possible
B8 of Hope’s support helped bring this documentary into being, allowing the filmmakers to amplify the courage, grief, and moral clarity of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists at a time when their voices were urgently needed.
The film challenges the usual binary of “pro-Israeli” versus “pro-Palestinian.” Instead, it points to a different divide: between those who perpetuate hatred and destruction, and those who continue to advocate for peace, justice, and freedom.
By following people who refuse to give up on a shared future, Résister pour la Paix offers audiences a more human and more courageous way to understand the present moment.
Why it matters
Cultural work matters because stories shape what people believe is possible.
Résister pour la Paix shows that Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders are not naïve voices outside reality. They are people living inside the pain of the conflict, often carrying personal loss, and still choosing to resist hatred.
The film gives visibility to a community of peace advocates who are more numerous and influential than many people realize. It also helps international audiences encounter a truth at the heart of B8 of Hope’s work: supporting a shared future means listening to those who are already building it.
The film was released in 2024. B8 of Hope also hosted screenings in Geneva in November, helping bring these voices into Swiss public conversation.