Jean Zaru

I recently went to an intelligent and moving talk by Jean Zaru, a Palestinian peacemaker committed to nonviolent struggle to end the occupation of her country. Her definition of Peace was so profound I asked permission to post it.      She was born in Ramallah to a Quaker (Christian) family. During the 1948 war, Jean was eight years old. During the 1967 war, Jean's oldest son was eight years old. She has raised three children and seven grandchildren under military occupation. In 1967 her husband was almost killed when the Israelis bombed Ramallah.       Jean is one of the founding members of Sabeel, a Palestinian Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. She has spoken to non-governmental organizations and church groups in Holland, Denmark, England, Sweden, Norway, Geneva, Nairobi, Australia, South Africa, the United States, and Canada.       From 1983-91 she was a member of the Interfaith Dialogue of the World Council of Churches. She has served as President of the Board of Directors of the East Jerusalem YWCA and is committed to issues of justice for women.