Combatants for Peace (C4P) is an organization of former Israeli and Palestinian fighters who no longer see each other as enemies, advocate together for an end to the Israeli occupation, and seek justice and reconciliation through dialogue.

Bassam Aramin, Co-founder of Combatants for Peace

Bassam Aramin was born in a Palestinian village near Hebron. He is a former Fatah fighter who served a seven-year prison sentence after being arrested at age 17 for helping to plan an armed attack against Israeli soldiers. During his time in prison, Mr. Aramin began learning about Jewish and Israeli history, engaged his jailers in discussions over the need for a two-state solution and, questioned the worth of armed struggle. Eventually, Mr. Aramin came to understand that pain, grief and loss existed on both sides of the conflict, and came out of prison a changed man. In 2005, along with other former combatants, both Palestinian and Israeli, he founded Combatants for Peace. He was recently awarded the 2007 Eliav-Sartawi Award for Middle Eastern Journalism by Search for Common Ground in NY and the Bremen Peace Award, in Germany. In addition to being a founding member of Combatants for Peace, he is the head of the Al Quds Association for Democracy and Dialogue in Jerusalem. Today, Mr. Aramin works for the Palestinian Authority and spends his time speaking about his personal experience and his family’s story, including the death of his daughter Abir. A year ago, ten-year Abir, was walking home from school in the East Jerusalem town of Anata when a rubber bullet fired by an Israeli Border Police officer struck her in the head. She died on January 16, 2007. 
Video of Mr. Aramin: http://www.combatantsforpeace.org/video.asp?id=Bassam_speech_40years.wmv&lng=eng&type=video

Yonatan Shapira, who completed well over 100 missions as a helicopter pilot for the Israeli Air force, joined the IDF in 1999. In 2001, he became a founding member of the Israeli Air Force’s new Black Hawk squadron and served as a pilot, operations leader and instructor. In October 2003, Mr. Shapira authored and, along with 26 other Air Force pilots, signed a declaration, “Pilot’s Letter,” refusing to participate in attacks in the Occupied Palestinian Territories based on the belief that such acts of violence are illegal, immoral and do not serve the security of Israel. Ultimately, his noncompliance led to his dismissal from the Israeli Air Force. Since then, Mr. Shapira has been active in anti-occupations groups, and in 2005, co-founded Combatants for Peace. As an activist and a speaker, he has addressed the British, French and European Parliaments, as well as the United Nations.  Mr. Shapira has also volunteered for SELA, the Israeli Crisis Management Center, an organization dedicated to aiding immigrants and victims of terrorism.
Video of Mr. Shapira: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDSXG0oGj8o

Elik Elhanan was born and raised in Jerusalem to a liberal Israeli family. Between 1995 and 1998, he served as a solider in an IDF Combat Unit.  In 1997, Mr. Elhanan’s 14-year-old sister was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber in Jerusalem. He was horrified when a picture of his sister was displayed at the International Court in The Hague by opponents of Israel’s Separation Wall, using his family’s tragedy to justify what was being done in the occupied territories.  After witnessing the damage and destruction caused by violence, Mr. Elhanan came to recognize the futility of arms in resolving conflict, and instead has worked to advocate and educate for a diplomatic solution as a founding member of Combatants for Peace.  Today, he speaks around the world and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Middle East Studies at Columbia University.     
Video of Mr. Elhanan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7r3zapIIn4&feature=related