New Delhi: This year's recipients of the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development are Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad. They've been honored for their dedication to achieving peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict without resorting to violence.

Daniel Barenboim, a world-renowned classical pianist and conductor born in Argentina, and Ali Abu Awwad, a prominent Palestinian peace activist, have been recognized for their tireless efforts toward peace between Palestine and Israel. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust praised their commitment in a recent announcement.

The international jury, led by former chief justice T S Thakur, expressed delight in awarding the 2023 prize to Barenboim and Awwad. The statement highlighted their roles as peace advocates, utilizing music, dialogue, and community involvement to foster harmony among Israelis and Palestinians.

Barenboim is celebrated for his performances worldwide and is equally recognized for using music as a tool to promote peace in the Middle East. His collaboration with Palestinian scholar Edward Said shaped his vision for resolving the conflict through respect and dialogue.

Understanding the unifying power of music, Barenboim established initiatives like the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Barenboim-Said Akademie. These platforms aim to unite young individuals from Israel, Palestine, and other regions through shared understanding and solidarity.

Ali Abu Awwad, raised in a politically active refugee family, experienced a turning point during a hunger strike with his mother to secure a visit while both were imprisoned. This experience led Awwad to realize the potential of non-violent actions inspired by Gandhian principles.

In 2014, Awwad co-founded Roots, a local initiative fostering understanding and non-violence between Palestinians and Israelis. His efforts culminated in the creation of Taghyeer, a Palestinian movement promoting non-violent actions and addressing social development needs.

The statement emphasized that Taghyeer, involving over 3,000 Palestinians across the West Bank, strives for a non-violent path to end the occupation and meet Palestinian social development needs.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development recognizes Barenboim and Awwad for their remarkable contributions. Their work in uniting the youth and communities of Israel and the Arab world through music and peaceful dialogue stands as a testament to their commitment to a non-violent resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

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