In a rare encounter between Palestinian and Israeli victims of violence, two women met each other for the first time in Idna village, southeast of Hebron, on Thursday, September 6.

"Mira," a young Palestinian mother whose child had been killed by Israeli settlers near Idna, invited to her home "Ranit," an Israeli woman whose mother was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber in Tel Aviv, for a meeting arranged by the Bereaved Families Group, an organization that brings together Palestinian and Israelis who have lost loved ones in the conflict.

When the Ranit, two British journalists and CPTers Dianne Roe and Joanne Kaufman arrived at Mira's house, a representative told the group that Mira wanted to make a meal to welcome the guests. The journalists had made other plans for the day and refusing the hospitality created an awkward atmosphere.

Seated next to each other on a couch, and surrounded by observers, the women at first leaned away from each other. Mira was hesitant to speak when asked how she felt about having the Israeli woman Ranit in her home. The grandfather initially responded to most questions, and it was unclear whether all involved in the visit had known Ranit was going to come.

Large photographs of Mira's baby hung in prominent places in the family room. So did photos of uncles who also died in the drive-by shooting of several Palestinians at a wedding party by eight Israeli settlers.

Ranit asked the Palestinians what they thought about suicide bombings. The grandfather replied, "As long as the Occupation continues, there will be deaths." He said, "after the last 10 years it does not seem we can live with Israelis. But with two states and two nations, we must live next to each other as good neighbors."

Ranit pushed again, "But do you feel the same sorrow about people killed by a suicide bomber as you do for a Palestinian child or man killed?" The grandfather responded, "We feel very sorry about innocent people killed." Mira later responded, "When I see the suicide bombing news I feel sadness."

Both women acknowledged that they had not immediately felt a willingness to forgive the other side. Another Palestinian, "Ghazi," who had arranged the visit, said, "Pain comes from the way I lost my brother [to an Israeli soldier]. We are human beings and we have the right to live and the right to die [i.e. we all do die]."

Ghazi added, "Violence will create violence. As long as we suffer, you [Israelis] will suffer. You cannot throw us to the sea or the Saudi desert. We cannot throw you out to sea. Our crazy leaderships must change. I will die in my land with dignity and so will you. That is how it should be."

The tension in the room eased over the hours they sat together. At the end of the visit Ranit and Mira awkwardly hugged each other and the rest of the group shook hands.