Born blind, 23 year-old Yasmin Jebara’s life has been filled with challenges and pain. Yet she has proven to be a fighter. In 2004, her father Sa’el Jebara was murdered by a settler from Elon Moreh.

Although the Jewish settler was sentenced for 8 years, he did not serve a day in prison. Jebara, 45, left behind his wife and six children, two of them blind. The group paid a condolence call to the devastated family, and since then, they make a monthly visit, bringing with them friendship and support.

Yasmin (means ‘jasmine’) remembers Ariella Dunayevsky, a group member, bringing her a jasmine on the first visit. With each visit the friendship and trust grew stronger.

The group arranged a visit for Yasmin and her brother to an eye specialist in Israel. However, their eyes are not made to see the world.

On the day this correspondent visited the Jebara family with members of the Villages Group, the atmosphere was just that, one of friendship and support.

Lively conversation filled the room as family members greeted their Israeli friends. Ehud Krinis, a member of the group, was obviously comfortable in his role as “family friend” as he mingled.

Having been active with Peace Now, an Israeli NGO, he worked against the occupation, but from within Israel. With collapse of the peace process in 2000, he, however, realized that peace was not going to be achieved in the near future.

“In order to be meaningful for myself, I had to go to meet Palestinians directly. What can ordinary people do? We have no political power so we must change the relationship with the Palestinians on a small scale,” he said.

He continued: “What are the chances of Palestinians meeting Israelis? None! Zero! So the Israeli impression of Palestinians is that they are suicide bombers, and the Palestinian impression of Israelis is that they are occupiers.”

The Villages Group also brought her two computers, and some donated English literature CDs.

Yasmin is not the only beneficiary in the village. The group helped Jubier Shtayih open the Salem Music Center in March 2010 where 15 children have received music lessons for the first time.

After eight months of training, the students were ready to perform for their fellow villagers.

Shtayih, manager of the center and music teacher, said, “The personality of the children has changed through music. Today our efforts will show.”

Yasmin agrees that the children have changed: “Children were afraid. The horizon of thinking has become wider and wider.”

As the Palestinian national anthem filled the room with 14-year old Shireen Rsheida’s beautiful voice, the Palestinian and Israeli audience stood together.

Yasmin’s words rang out, “This is humanity that links us together. I feel we are integrated parts.”

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