In conversation
with
Dr Imad Karam
by Davina Patel
For Gazan-born Dr Imad Karam, Director of Beyond Forgiving, Ginn and Letlapa’s story is an
example of the power of the human spirit. Their journey demonstrates how it is possible to work
through pain and suffering and break away from the cycle of vengeance. I spoke to him on the
lessons we can learn from these two extraordinary South Africans.
What inspired you to share Ginn and Letlapa’s story?
I met Ginn and Letlapa 10 years ago at an international peace
conference in Switzerland organised by Initiatives of Change.
As it happened, Howard Grace, the Executive Producer of the
film, was there. We and the audience were deeply moved by
their standing together to tell their story. At that moment, we
developed a conviction to make a documentary film about
them.
There are many conflict areas in the world where there is
deep pain on a vast scale. One of these conflicts is Israel and
Palestine, my homeland. I believe that our film can bring a
glimpse of hope to a world torn by conflict and violence and
make a difference to them. If people can see that even in the
direst circumstances forgiveness is possible, then many of us
can at least forgive those who cause us small upsets in our
daily lives.
What lessons can we learn from their story?
Beyond Forgiving shows that is possible to forgive, but that it
requires a degree of empathy and humanisation. Forgiveness
can bring about healing and reconciliation. It is important
to move beyond forgiving into action that can inspire others
and bring about healing. Despite living through the horror
of injustice, inequalities, violence and personal loss, it is
possible to transcend the hurt of the past and go beyond
forgiving to help others build bridges across divides. Their
story shows us and inspires new ways of living.
Our hope is that Beyond Forgiving will inspire people to
be positive agents for change within their own communities
and play their part in building a better world. Initiatives of
Change believes that change comes from within and that
individuals can take personal responsibility, whether it be
in their own personal life or community, to make a real
difference to help change society for the better.
As a Palestinian, do you think forgiveness and reconciliation
are possible between your home country and Israel?
Yes I certainly hope so, but to reach that we need first of all
to arrive at a political settlement which deals with issues
of occupation, domination, fear and security. For me, it
is a privilege to work on this inspiring story because as a
Palestinian I can draw a parallel between the Apartheid
period in South Africa and the situation in my country.
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To see that people who used to be completely at odds in
extreme positions are able to look back and feel how horrible
it was, gives me hope that one day in Palestine we could see a
peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Tony Blair said that he believes passionately in the two-state
solution, but also believes that it can only be achieved by
a negotiation with Israel. He is quoted as saying: ‘The truth
is that transformational change is impossible unless it goes
hand in hand with a political process.’ Do you agree?
First of all Blair is a politician and he speaks like one.
However, I do agree that peace through negotiations is
the best and even only option, however, unequal warring
parties need outside help or pressure to move beyond their
positions and reach a degree of empathy that can then bring
about a just solution.
What do you think would help build peace between Israel
and Palestine?
Pressure from outside, especially from the friends of Israel,
to bring about a realisation that dominating the destiny of
another nation can’t continue indefinitely, will not bring
security to Israel and ultimately is not in the best interest of
Israel. I’ve become more convinced than ever that there is
no solution without serious international pressure and even
intervention.
Palestinians and Israelis are not equal parties in any
sense of the word. They can’t be left to sort it alone, either on
the negotiating table or in the ‘field’. Israel sees that it has a
right to exist and to defend itself but is blind to the injustices
that it is inflicting on another people. We, the Palestinians,
have a legitimate right to freedom and self-rule, but can’t
see that our militant actions are bringing us no closer to our
aspirations. Both parties will only change with the help of
serious international press \