The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 800 bereaved Palestinians and Israelis members, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to the ongoing conflict. Despite their profound grief, the members have chosen a unique and courageous path: to transform their pain into a force for reconciliation, dialogue, and peace.
PCFF was founded in 1995 by bereaved father Yitzhak Frankenthal and a group of Israeli families. In 1998, the first joint meeting was held with bereaved Palestinian families from Gaza. After the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000, contact with Gaza was severed, and in 2001 new partnerships were formed with bereaved Palestinian families from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
PCFF provides a safe and transformative space for bereaved Israelis and Palestinians to share their personal stories, understand each other’s narratives, and recognize the humanity of the “other.” Through these encounters, we aim to break cycles of fear, violence, and dehumanization.
Through outreach to schools, communities, media, and international audiences, PCFF amplifies the moral voices of bereaved families—showing that peace is possible even after immense loss. Since October 7th, 2023, the PCFF has adapted to new realities, deepening its impact in both local and global arena
Our educational and public programs foster empathy, critical thinking, and emotional openness—laying the groundwork for mutual recognition, end of the occupation and a just political resolution.
PCFF is a registered nonprofit managed by a joint Palestinian-Israeli board and a professional binational team, operating from offices in Beit Jala and Ramat Ef’al.
Our vision is of a future where both nations live side by side in freedom, dignity, and security—and where human connection paves the way for political agreements and lasting peace.
