Has nothing changed?

In the past few months I have been asked often whether we, at Tech2Peace, still hold fast to our vision amidst the war. To assert that recent events haven’t tested my faith would be disingenuous. Indeed, there have been moments of doubt, moments where the path forward seemed anything but clear. Yet, when faced with the stark choice between a life shadowed by conflict or the pursuit of a hopeful, albeit challenging, path to peace, my resolve crystalizes—I unhesitatingly choose the path of hope and reconciliation, every time and with even greater conviction.

Starting on October 7th, and with the Gaza War raging since, we’ve delved into the heart of challenging dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians. These conversations have been anything but easy, colored by a spectrum of emotions from anger and mistrust to fear and profound hurt. This dynamic, reminiscent of a family feud, strikes at the core of our identities and deepest vulnerabilities, yet it also springs from a place of profound connection and an enduring hope for something better that we’re not ready to relinquish.

It’s been nothing short of miraculous witnessing adversaries come together to voice their grievances, a testament to years of deliberate effort to foster genuine understanding—acknowledging each other’s pain without necessarily agreeing. Our ability to collaborate, learn, and openly discuss our most profound wounds, as individuals rather than symbols of national entities, at the same time feeling the safety and security of being asked to fully show up rather than check our identities at the door, has cultivated a level of trust and mutual recognition. This foundation of understanding and shared commitment to a community that addresses everyone’s needs is a bond too precious to forsake.

In our quest to nurture a cadre of change-makers dedicated to crafting a brighter future, we’ve inadvertently created a community with much at stake—a community fiercely committed to safeguarding the demonstrated strength of the community we have created, something to lose. The potential loss is not of mere togetherness or love—concepts often dismissed as trivial—but of a vivid network of young professionals, leaders, entrepreneurs and friends committed to advancing their careers and opportunities, a vision that has become a tangible reality within Tech2Peace and one we all wish to expand.

So, has nothing changed? On the contrary, everything has. We’ve made a deliberate, conscious choice to prioritize building bridges over perpetuating conflict. This choice is not made in denial of our national identities but stems from them, not by overlooking our grievances but by championing our peoples’ right to a future filled with economic stability, opportunity, and the prospect of raising future generations in an environment of safety and security.

We now stand proud, embodying the diverse voices of our communities, ensuring they are not only heard within our echo chambers but resonate further, working collaboratively towards securing a future that is truly worth the effort.

Everything has indeed changed, and we extend an invitation for you to discover this alternative with us. Experience the allure of hope, and you’ll find yourself an eager advocate for this pragmatic path forward. In a landscape often dominated by fear and hatred, we choose a plan rooted in optimism and collaboration. Join us in forging a future not just worth hoping for but actively building—a future where fear and hate are no longer the blueprint.