I am a Dutch national, living in the Netherlands, who spent most of his life in the Middle East.

In 1974, I first went to a kibbutz in Israel. I got to know both Jewish Israelis and Palestinians, both inside Israel and occupied territories, both peace activists and hawks and any view in between. I have been living in Israel and visiting the country annually between 1974 and 1981. In 1976, I first went to Egypt. Between 1994 and 2022, I lived and worked here in intercultural dialogue. I have so many friends in the region and it is so painful to see all hardship. I also travelled through most countries in the region. I am living now in the Netherlands where this conflict is dividing communities. I know from experience, without dialogue, polarization deepens. Without human connection, peace becomes more distant.

In June we are organizing a major exhibition and dialogue program in The Hague, The Netherlands, to bring people together, challenge misinformation, and highlight realistic paths toward peace. But we cannot do this without your support.

Please donate to the Arab-West Foundation, a recognized Dutch ANBI foundation (meaning donations in the Netherlands are tax-deductible). We coordinate the Dutch civil society network of the intergovernmental Anna Lindh Foundation for Euro-Mediterranean dialogue (www.alf.website/en/). Our growing network now includes 77 organizations, https://alf.website/en/network/netherlands/?network=Netherlands&id=2629.

We are committed to breaking the cycle of mistrust—by creating spaces where people can meet, listen, and reconnect as human beings.

Funds will be exclusively used in the Netherlands, payment for an exhibition venue, volunteers, engaging peace activists and more.