About two months ago I was approached by Madonna’s production team. She had decided to contribute nearly 600 tickets to Israeli and Palestinian peace activists who would sit together in an area of the stadium where she would perform, designated especially to them. They contacted me as the Israeli Project Director of The Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum in order to distribute the tickets between Israeli and Palestinian Peace organisations and activists, as the Forum comprises close to 60 Israeli and 40 Palestinian peace, human rights, interfaith and democracy organisations. I could not believe it.
Two months later the dream became a reality and on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 I was fortunate enough to be one of the representatives of the Peace NGO Forum that met with Madonna at the Ramat-Gan Stadium after her final rehearsal, just before she launched her world tour with her “Concert for Peace” in Israel. We discussed our work with Madonna and emphasised the importance of advancing the peace process. In response, Madonna mentioned that she intended to make a statement on the topic during her concert. In my wildest dreams I never imagined she would deliver a “Speech for Peace”.
I feel that her contribution came in two very meaningful ways. Firstly, Madonna has shone a light on this important matter, particularly during a period of political stalemate. Secondly, she chose to express her thanks to peace activists. We are all working so hard to overcome the obstacles facing the path to Israeli-Palestinian peace, and what Madonna gave us was an acknowledgement of our efforts, and a moment of much-needed celebration and relief.
