Agenda Exhibition Israel/Palestine; Pain and Hope – the Search for Peace Begins with Listening

Agenda Exhibition Israel/Palestine; Pain and Hope – The Search for Peace Begins with Listening

Address for exhibition and dialogue evenings: Believe Together/Inn of Humanity, Weimarstraat 300, The Hague, 17–30 June 2026, open daily from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Dialogue evenings are listed below. awf@annalindh.nl (last update 01/06)

NO parking opportunities near the venue. Best is to come with public transportation. The exhibition and dialogue evenings are on the first and second floor. There is no elevator in the building.

Background and Agenda

The agenda is still under development and may be subject to change. Please check the agenda again shortly before the indicated date. The links for signing up are not yet made. Until that moment signing up is also possible through awf@annalindh.nl

Background

This exhibition, Israel/Palestine; Pain and Hope, is organised by the Dutch civil society network of the Anna Lindh Foundation in cooperation with numerous organisations. The Anna Lindh Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2005 that emerged from the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation process initiated in 1995 with the Barcelona Declaration.

This process was preceded by important political developments, including the Madrid Conference of 1991, where the principle of “land for peace” became central. This principle formed the basis for the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Barcelona Process subsequently developed into a Euro-Mediterranean partnership for peace, cooperation, and dialogue. This led in 2005 to the establishment of the Anna Lindh Foundation, in which Israel and Palestine participate together with other European and Mediterranean countries, in the hope of promoting mutual understanding and peaceful cooperation.

The exhibition was organised within a very short period of time. Everyone who feels involved with Israel and Palestine was invited to submit work to our selection committee. Every individual and organisation that contributed material is responsible for the views represented in their own contributions. The Dutch Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation emphasises the importance of listening with empathy to different perspectives without endorsing specific political solutions.

We present photography and photographs of artworks that reflect the immense pain experienced by both Jews and Palestinians. At the same time, we must continue to hold on to hope for a just and peaceful future for Jews and Palestinians alike. We therefore explicitly invited participants to contribute works that express hope.

Agenda

The exhibition is open daily from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Admission is free.

Opening

On Thursday June 18, venue open at 15:30. Opening at 16:30. Award-winning Palestinian professional photojournalist, filmmaker, and media consultant Mohammed Zanoun will present one photograph of Gaza from before the war and two photographs taken after its destruction. Following this brief presentation Mariëlle Vavier, Deputy Mayor and Alderman for Poverty Reduction, Inclusion, Healthcare and International Affairs in The Hague, former mayor Wim Deetman, former D66 Senator Hanneke-Gelderblom, rabbi Asjer Waterman (LJG) and our Egyptian curator Dr. Afaf Badran will open the exhibition. After the opening Dr. Afaf Badran will take Deputy Mayor Vavier and other speakers to the exhibition. Space is limited. Registration is required. LINK eventbrite

Due to the expected number of guests, a second opening session will take place at 7:30 p.m. Unfortunately, Deputy Mayor Mariëlle Vavier will not be able to attend this second opening.

The opening is intended as a space for encounter, dialogue, and reflection, not as a demonstration. Therefore, flags, banners, and other forms of protest expression are not permitted. The wearing of personal clothing and symbols, including a keffiyeh, pins, and religious symbols, is permitted.

A second opening moment is on Friday June 19, 19:30 - 21:30, with the presentation of the Podcast Truly Heard with Hanneke Gelderblom-Lankhout and Palestinian journalist Taghreed Elkhodary, born and raised in Gaza, about compassion with others despite big differences in convictions. Podcast Stefan Flos explains how this podcast came about. After the presentation questions can be asked. Signing up required: LINK eventbrite

Dialogue Evenings

On the following evenings, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, we are organising dialogue discussions. These are free of charge and open to the public. Some evenings will be conducted in Dutch, while others will be in English. Participants are required to register online in advance.

Thursday 18 June

Podcast Truly Heard with Jewish former D66 senator Hanneke Gelderblom and Palestinian journalist Taghreed Elkhodary, born and raised in Gaza. The subject is compassion for people with whom we disagree. We will present the podcast. Podcast maker Stefan Vlos will explain how it was produced, after which visitors will be able to ask questions to Hanneke, Taghreed, and Stefan. English with possible Dutch translation. [CONFIRMED] Registration: LINK eventbrite

Saturday 20 June

Dialogue in Nes Ammim. A Christian community in northern Israel that brings Israelis from different backgrounds, including religious backgrounds, into dialogue with one another. The foundation facilitates and guides this dialogue in a completely apolitical manner. What is needed for this, and what can we in the Netherlands learn from it? Here too, conversations can sometimes feel uncomfortable because listeners may have certain expectations or assumptions. Do we dare to ask questions and truly listen? Are we still able to look at others with genuine curiosity? Nes Ammim puts this into practice in Israel and, especially on this evening, also in the Netherlands. Hanneke Gelderblom also hopes to be present. Participants will again be encouraged to take an active part in the discussion by asking questions.

Within Nes Ammim there is a conviction that taking political positions makes it more difficult to bring together participants with widely differing political views. Presentation of the dialogue village Nes Ammim in Israel, where Jews, Christians, and Muslims with strongly differing views come together. Presentation in Dutch. [CONFIRMED] Registration: LINK eventbrite

Tuesday 23 June

Is the Two-State Solution Still Viable?

Arabist and journalist Eildert Mulder has lost hope in a two-state solution and will present his proposal for a one-state solution in 20 minutes. Dr. Gershon Baskin of the Alliance for Two States remains convinced that the two-state solution is still possible and will respond to Mulder. Both will present their visions and engage in discussion with one another. Dr. Baskin lives in Israel and will participate online. Hanneke Gelderblom will also participate. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions. Language: English [CONFIRMED with both speakers] Registration: LINK eventbrite

Thursday 25 June

A two-part podcast with Bart Wallet and Natascha van Weezel about peace initiatives. Part 1: What do civil society peace initiatives still mean in a time of war and ongoing threat? Part 2: Why do attempts at peace continue to prove so difficult? The role of politics and leadership in the Middle East and the tension between peace, security, and justice will be discussed. We will engage in discussion after seeing the podcast. Language: Dutch. Registration: LINK eventbrite

Friday 26 June

Meeting with award-winning Palestinian professional photojournalist, filmmaker, and media consultant Mohammed Zanoun, who portrays the painful human consequences of conflict, siege, and starvation in Gaza. In addition, Mohammed conducted academic studies examining the long-term effects of war on the region. In the line of duty, he survived life-threatening injuries that caused severe facial and bodily trauma. Despite these profound physical challenges, he returned to the field with unwavering determination to continue his mission and convey the truth to the world. Former D66 senator Hanneke Gelderblom will reflect on Mohammed’s work. Language: English [CONFIRMED] Registration: LINK eventbrite

Saturday 27 June

Erik Tilanus and Ambassador Robert Bosch, secretary and chairman of the CDA Middle East Members’ Council. How has the CDA’s position regarding Israel and the Palestinians changed since the founding of the CDA, and how does the party navigate between the theory of its party programme and political practice?

Explanation as to why the CDA Middle East Members’ Council has been invited specifically: they are members of the Dutch network of the Anna Lindh Foundation. This network is also open to Middle East-oriented working groups and committees from all political parties. Former D66 senator Hanneke Gelderblom will also participate in this discussion. Language: Dutch [CONFIRMED] Registration: LINK eventbrite

Donations

This exhibition was made possible through a donation of €3,936 from the Anna Lindh Foundation. We were therefore unfortunately not in a position to pay the photographers and artists. In addition, we worked exclusively with volunteers. The total costs are not yet fully known, but despite these voluntary contributions our costs are certainly considerably higher. We would therefore greatly appreciate your donation. There are three ways to contribute:

1. For families of participating photographers/artists in Gaza

   https://www.gofundme.com/f/peacebuilding-via-civil-society-israelpalestine-exhibition

2. For the organisational costs of the Arab-West Foundation, which is entirely dependent on donations. The foundation has ANBI (Public Benefit Organisation) status.

   https://whydonate.com/search?search=Arab%20West%20Foundation

3. For individual photographers/artists who contributed to this exhibition.

   https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=cMDp6oWuSAyhJfJI2lApbw

Your donations are greatly appreciated!!