Last week, all our EAs got a break from their difficult work as humanitarian observers and had the chance to hear new perspectives on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Here are a few tweet updates and reflections from the week:

Meeting with Nomika Zion of The Other Voice:

Visited Nomika Zion, great and courageous lady and the writer of ‘War diary from Sderot’ #eappi http://t.co/xLeWzt9oJ         — Johanna Kaprio (@MariaJohannaK) October 2, 2013

“Palestinians have become invisible to majority of Israeli society. The occupation has become second nature.” – Nomika Zion, The Other Voice — Luther Aquino (@lutheraquino) October 2, 2013

Touring Sderot:

Visited Sderot near Gaza & saw toy in playpark that also functions as a rocket shelter. Horrible. Met author of this http://t.co/bvhvB3IVFA — Melanie Ward (@melanie_ward) October 2, 2013

Meeting with Ruth Hiller of New Profile:

In Haifa hearing from @NewProfileOrg, campaign for demilitarization of Israeli society. This is kids’ counting aide pic.twitter.com/WgSYznjYuv— Melanie Ward (@melanie_ward) October 3, 2013

“From the age of 16, our children are no longer ours. They belong to the state.” – Ruth Hiller on mandatory military service in Israel — Luther Aquino (@lutheraquino) October 3, 2013

A chance to relax in Haifa:

Drinks at sunset on the beach in Haifa. Feels worlds away from #Hebron but it’s a matter of miles pic.twitter.com/VwATkg1kn6 — Melanie Ward (@melanie_ward) October 3, 2013

Experiencing Shabbat Worship and Dinner:

We were received as guests in a Shabbat Worship Service in a synagogue in Jerusalem. It was the first time I saw one. It was fascinating.— Luther Aquino (@lutheraquino) October 4, 2013

Then we all went to a Shabbat dinner with some Jewish families. Night full of prayer, good food, and good conversations. Shabbat shalom! — Luther Aquino (@lutheraquino) October 4, 2013

Follow these and other current EAs HERE.