(Artwork: `Destination´ by Fahed Shehab)

Help Us Build Bridges — Dialogue, Not Division

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians isn't only devastating the Middle East. It is tearing apart communities right here in Europe — fueling polarization, misinformation, and fear in our own streets and neighborhoods.

We believe there is another way.

1. Who we are and where we're from

We are the Arab-West Foundation, a registered Dutch ANBI foundation based in the Netherlands. As an ANBI-recognized organization, we are held to strict legal standards of transparency and accountability under Dutch law, and donations from the Netherlands are fully tax-deductible.

We are led by director Cornelis (Kees) Hulsman, supported by a team of volunteers, artists, and photographers — all of whom contribute their time and skills at no cost.

We coordinate the Dutch civil society network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue, an intergovernmental organization promoting cross-cultural understanding. Our Dutch network currently includes 77 member organizations.

We also collaborate closely with Young Dreams for Palestine / Initiatives of Change Middle East Group, led by Egyptian architect and peace activist Dr. Afaf Badran, who contributes her expertise in exhibition design entirely voluntarily.

2. Who we are supporting and our relationship with them

This fundraiser supports a public photo exhibition and dialogue program taking place in The Hague, the Netherlands, from June 17–30, 2025. All funds are received and managed exclusively by the Arab-West Foundation in the Netherlands.

As part of this program, we are inviting two internationally respected peace activists to visit the Netherlands:

Gershon Baskin — Israeli peace activist, author, and co-founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI), based in Israel. Gershon has dedicated decades to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and negotiation.

Samer Sinijlawi — Palestinian civil society leader and advocate for a two-state solution, based in Palestine/the Palestinian territories. Samer is widely recognized as one of the most constructive Palestinian voices in peace negotiations.

Both individuals are invited as speakers and dialogue facilitators. They have no financial stake in this fundraiser. Funds raised will cover their travel and accommodation costs only, as detailed below.

We also partner with Believe Together, a Dutch organization based in The Hague, which is providing the exhibition space and facilities.

3. What we are doing and why it matters

In The Hague, we are organizing:

A two-week photo exhibition (June 17–30) featuring images submitted from across the Euro-Mediterranean region, bringing together Jewish, Palestinian, and broader Dutch audiences

A series of public dialogue evenings, designed to challenge misinformation and explore realistic paths toward peace

Echt Gehoord ("Truly Heard") — a podcast featuring a Dutch Jew and a Dutch Palestinian listening to each other's pain and hopes

The Anna Lindh Foundation has granted us €3,936 toward this program. However, a funding gap of €10,000 remains. Without reaching this goal before June 1, critical elements of the program — including the exhibition venue, student support staff, and the visit of Baskin and Sinijlawi — cannot go ahead.

4. How funds will be spent and how they reach beneficiaries

All donated funds will be received directly by the Arab-West Foundation via bank transfer to our Dutch foundation account. No funds will be transferred internationally to conflict-affected regions. All expenditures are made within the Netherlands, except for travel costs for our two invited speakers.

Here is the full breakdown

Total funding gap€10,064

Help us make dialogue possible. Donate now.

(All funds will be received via bank transfer by the Arab-West Foundation. We are fully committed to transparency and accountability: a financial report is available to any donor who wishes to review how the funds have been spent.)