Rawan took part in Encompass’ last UK Journey of Understanding programme. Since then, she has been working in Washington DC working as a coordinator for Solutions Not Sides. Reflecting on recent social media controversies surrounding the normalisation of the Palestinian and Israeli, Rawan argues that Palestinian voices need to be present in all conversations concerning the countries’ future. She believes people-to-people (P2P) programmes, play an important role in this:

“There has been a lot of controversy on social media about normalization- within the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. I wanted to add my voice and clear some things up:

1. I understand the frustration from people to people organizations over the years. Its hard. Young Palestinian kids going to programs with a heart filled with hope and coming back to an occupation and the same exact reality they left behind. For some this instills anger for others it creates a motive to keep fighting harder. For others its both. It is hard. 
2. The power imbalance that exists between both sides. Maybe that’s more on our fault- the P2P community – without being more open and frank about this on our websites, social media and programming. I know a lot of organizations are learning and trying to adapt better to those needs. “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same result is the definition of insanity itself” The P2P community has to step up- and we are. 
3. Palestinians should ALWAYS be a part of the conversation everywhere their future is being discussed. Palestinians should learn how to tell their story, own their narrative and use their voices. This applies to every peace building program, lobby group, political event in DC and around the world. We have to be there. Otherwise, who will be? Where is our voice? Our demands? Our agency?
4. Allies are crucial and they exist on the other side. They do. P2P programs are designed to open the possibility of these alliances- not force it- but the alliance, the strategy, the way you decide to move forward with your activism depends on you. Allies throughout conflicts around the world have always been monumental in creating effective change. 
5. Absolutely NO ONE can tell me- or any other Palestinian how we decide to do our activism. Through P2P programs like the one I currently run, I have seen Palestinian stories heard in a way that has never been done before. I have organized meetings connecting their voices with powerful leaders that have later changed their positions. Young Palestinians that are brave and fearless enough to speak up are HEROS not traitors. 

Empowering Palestinian voices should not be condemned it should be celebrated. Even if you don’t agree with the method or the audience- even if the audience is the “enemy”. Don’t silence their voices- anyone who does is against freedom of speech. We Palestinians in every step of the way- deserve that freedom (and every other type of freedom).”