Delegations are limited to 15 people. We seek participants who have a genuine interest in the experience and suffering of all Israelis and Palestinians. Our itinerary changes with each delegation. Later I saw that all parties to every conflict were wounded, and at the heart of every act of violence is an unhealed wound. In her role as a counselor, Gene recognized that non-judgmental listening was a great healing process in itself.
Listeners seek to humanize the 'enemy'.
They do not defend themselves, but accept whatever others say as their perceptions, and validate the right to their own perceptions. Compassionate Listening can cut through barriers of defense and mistrust, enabling both those listened to and those listening to hear what they think, to change their opinions, and to make more informed decisions. Through this process, fear can be reduced, and participants will be better equipped to discern how to proceed with effective action.