A SPECIAL meeting on the Israel/Palestine has been held in South Woodford, bringing together Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Held at the mosque in Mulberry Way, the meeting was hosted by the East London Three Faiths Forum and featured two women from Israel and Palestine, who spoke on the conflict there.

Seham Ikhlayel, who is Palestinian, lost her brother during the conflict and Robi Damelin, an Israeli Jew, lost her son.

Robert Hampson, chairman of the Three Faiths Forum, said: “Both spoke of the need to put violence aside and meet the other at the level of loss and motherhood.

“Both, despite the bitterness of loss, could embrace the other and reach out to those who perpetuate the violence and hate and bid them to try another way.

“It was a truly inspiring message of hope.”

The meeting, on January 14, was held in a bid to inspire hope that a way might be found to end the conflict between Israel and Palestine without violence, Mr Hampson said.

He added: “All those present at South Woodford Mosque were moved by the testimony of these two brave women.

“Perhaps for the first time, they saw a ray of hope in the midst of this bitter struggle between two peoples who basically need to live together and to learn to love each other.”

About 100 people attended the meeting.

Mr Hampson also said members of the Three Faiths Forum, which aims to help Christians, Muslims and Jews work together to overcome prejudice, would be praying for “peace, justice and security for both Jew and Palestinian”.

He said: “We don’t want people to be less Christian, Muslim or Jew, but rather to find the roots of humanity in the depths of each of these important religions.

“Here we can then meet and embrace each other.”

Another event will be held at St Ethelburga's in the City of London on the theme of “heroes” on February 10.

For more information visit, threefaithsforum.org.uk