Böll.Global | War in the Middle East: How do people on the ground look at the current escalation?

With a large-scale attack on nuclear facilities, military infrastructure and high-ranking regime representatives and scientists in Iran, Israel opened another war front on June 13. Iran responded with massive missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities. After initial hesitation, the US now also joined the war. The resulting escalation threatens to spiral out of control and could have far-reaching consequences for the entire Middle East. 

But this is only one part of the current conflict: the war in the Gaza Strip, the military operations in the West Bank, the tense situation in East Jerusalem, the air strikes in Lebanon and Syria and the Houthi rocket attacks from Yemen are also continuing. What all these theaters of war have in common is that constructive political perspectives for dealing with and resolving the conflicts are underexposed and civilians are the main victims. The voices of local experts, civil society actors, feminist activists and human rights defenders from Israel, Palestine, Iran and Lebanon are barely heard in the international debate on Israel's security, Iran's nuclear program and the future of the Palestinians.

With the help of our colleagues on the ground, we want to better understand how the current situation in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria is shaping up for people. What impact is the war having on their everyday lives, their sense of security and their social and political scope for action? What role do civil society actors play in the current context? From whom do they experience support and solidarity? What do they expect from Germany and Europe - especially with regard to the protection of civilians and dealing with violations of human rights and international law? What gives them hope despite everything? 

We would like to discuss these and other questions together with the Heinrich Böll Foundation's office managers from Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Beirut. 
Discussion with:

• Ofer Waldman, Head of the Tel Aviv Office, Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Kirsten Krampe, Head of Ramallah Office, Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Bente Scheller, Head of MENA Department, Heinrich Böll Foundation

Moderated by: Bauke Baumann, Senior Programme Officer Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Iran, Heinrich Böll Foundation
 

Contact: 
Louisa Reeh
E reeh@boell.de

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