The impossible Brief: Blood Relations: Israelis and Palestinians come together to give blood on the eve of UN Palestinian decision:

16/09/2011

In June 2010, Saatchi & Saatchi Israel launched an initiative called 'The Impossible Brief.' The Brief was to present ideas that would bring Israelis and Palestinians closer together. Creative minds from across the globe were invited to present their ideas and the winner would be judged by Palestinian and Israeli international judges. The final ideas were composed in a book and sent to political leaders around the world.

The impossible Brief: Blood Relations: Israelis and Palestinians come together to give blood on the eve of UN Palestinian decision:

Could you hurt someone who has your blood running through their viens?

The winning idea, from France, was the Israeli-Palestinian mutual blood bank. The idea inspired the birth of 'Blood Relations'. This is a project which seeks to inspire dialogue between the two peoples' shared humanity through the common bond of blood.

On Wednesday evening, the Parents Circle Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Palestinian-Israeli organisation for people who have lost an immediate family member in the conflict came together at the Head Quarters of the Israeli Blood Bank, Magen David Adom (MDA) to donate their blood. This is just the first act of what will hopefully be a world-wide initiative.

This Sunday, the Parents Circle are set to stage a larger and more public blood donation for Israelis and Palestinians when their members gather in Central Tel Aviv to mark the UNs International Peace Day. The blood donations will then be shared by Israeli hospitals through the Israeli Blood Bank, MDA and the Aal-Makassed Islamic Charitable Society Hospital for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Ali Abu Awwad, Spokesperson and Project Manager said on behalf of the Parents Circle Families Forum: " 'Blood Relations' seeks to provide a catalyst for dialogue by demonstrating two peoples' shared humanity through the common bond of blood."

Dr Aliza Savir, Deputy Director General of The Peres Centre said: "Because of the prolonged conflict afflicting this region, we are unfortunately witnessing an accelerated process of dehumanization, and there is an urgent need to stress the human dimension of this conflict. This campaign conveys two major messages - first, the fact that we are all humans and have the same blood, and second - the fact that we all basically aspire to the same thing which is simply to live."

A memorandum outlining the 'Blood Relations' project is being sent to all Heads of Missions attending the UN General assembly that opens on 20 September. The Parents Circle is already known to President Obama and he has publicly acknowledged them as an example of the desire for reconciliation in the region in his 19 May 2011 address on the Middle East. Their work has also been recognized by President Bill Clinton, President Carter, Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus and has received numerous awards including the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award in 2010.

So...How can you get involved with this phenomenal initiative?

Firstly,you can visit the donate website at : Click here to find out more information about the campaign and how to get involved.

Secondly, watch this space for updates on 'Blood Relations' as the campaign continues. UJS is continually working with Saatchi and Saatchi to ensure that Jewish students are at the forefront of this campaign.

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