Tomorrow, Fri Aug. 8, the Peace Bus from Jerusalem to the Gaza Border will set out on its 4th Journey. Whatever the outcome of the negotiations in Cairo and their implications on the ground, the activity of the Peace Bus retains its importance.

A ceasefire is declared and our hopes are high that it will be kept on both sides. However, we believe that a long-term solution is necessary and that it starts in our hearts and between people.

The peace seekers in Israel and Gaza were not strong enough to stop the hostilities and high casualties on both sides. Also now, when the shooting stopped - at least for the moment - we are painfully aware that the war could break out again at any time. That means that our mission continues: NEVER AGAIN WAR - LET'S GIVE PEACE A CHANCE and WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL WE TALK. Spreading the seeds of peace between people and calling upon the authorities on both sides to cease hostilities and come together for sincere peace talks, we continues our mission.

In view of the war destruction, we believe that the humanitarian aid is the most urgent contribution the Peace Bus can deliver right now. Therefore, collecting donations will be the central part of this journey. Collecting medicine, hygienic products and food for civilians in Gaza, we hope to ease – if only by a small bit - the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and encourage the public to undertake direct humanitarian relief actions.

Each person donating for Gaza will get flowers from the Peace Bus. These flowers were bought from a family from Sderot, who had to leave their house during the conflict and who now stay in Bet Shemesh, waiting to return home. Our collections are supported by the organization "Women say Enough", who is engaged in the peace movement and organized collections across the country.

We will meet once again on Friday, 8.8, at 8.00 am in the Liberty Bell Garden (Gan Hapoamon), Jerusalem, to decorate our Peace Bus with flowers and art craft.

At 9.00am our journey starts with support of the family of the Jerusalem Peace maker Haj Ibrahim Abu-Hawa, whose son will be driving us this Friday.

At 11.00 am we are meeting with the organization "Yad Be'Yad!" (Hand in Hand) in the Hashnaim Park in Jaffo. Yad Be'Yad is involved in the peace work for many years. They run schools for all: Jewish Israelis, Arab Israelis and Palestinians alike, and offer an alternative to the separation in the school system.

Between 10.00am and 12.00 Noon this Friday they collect donations for Gaza in Jaffa for the international health relief organization "Caritas" which is also our partner.

At 1.00pm we will meet the Circle of Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families, holding an ongoing Peace Vigil at the Tel Aviv Cinemateque Plaza, and hear the accounts of those who lost their loved ones in the ongoing conflict. This circle is meeting every Friday between 12 and 14pm

At 3.30pm we will have a meeting with families from the South Israel, who live near the Gaza border. The meeting will take place in the village of Netiv Ha'asara, near Yad Mordechai. The purpose of this visit is to understand what exactly it means to live in the war- torn zone and why these families do not want another war.

Afterwards we will lay down flowers near the Gaza border, to commemorate all those who perished in the conflict on both sides.

At 6.00 pm we will deliver our collected donations to Caritas' collection station at St. Antony’s Church in Jaffa. ,

Since we want every penny donated for the humanitarian relief in Gaza to go for that specific purpose, we ask every participant to pay 100NIS contribution for the expenses of this journey (bus and decorations only). Please let me know in advance about your participation, in order to reserve a seat! Thank you!

Contact: vmmessage-peacebus@yahoo.com last minute: 0586566767

Please donate to the Peace Bus through this website: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-bus-peace-4rd-jorney/x/8356905

Here you can make your donations! Thank you very much! Mark as a purpose "medicine for Gaza", "Peace Bus" or "Medicine for Gaza and Peace Bus".

The mission of the Peace Bus is to proclaim non-violence and connect the Peace movement for the long-lasting peace. The Peace movement was not ready during this war to seriously challenge the fierce pro-war attitude on both sides. There might be a next time, so we need to be ready...