Renowned classical pianist Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad have been jointly awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for their tireless efforts in promoting a non-violent resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The award, announced by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, recognizes their significant contributions to fostering social, cultural, and political understanding between the youth and peoples of Israel and the Arab world.

2023 Indira Gandhi Prize jointly awarded to conductor Daniel Barenboim, Palestinian activist Ali Abu Awwad - The Hindu https://t.co/G0susdPVGw

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Barenboim, an Argentine-born musician and conductor, has gained international acclaim for his outstanding musical achievements. However, it is his unwavering commitment to using music as a tool to foster harmony in the Middle East that truly sets him apart. Inspired by his partnership with Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said, Barenboim established the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Barenboim-Said Akademie. Through these initiatives, he has brought together young musicians from Israel, Palestine, and other Arab and North African countries, creating spaces of unity and understanding.

Barenboim's belief in the power of listening and the impact of music on human relations has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Commander of the Legion of Honour. His vision of a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict through respect, discourse, and dialogue continues to inspire and influence those striving for peace and reconciliation. Ali Abu Awwad, an eminent Palestinian peace activist, has dedicated his life to working with the people of Palestine and Israel towards a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

Raised in a politically-active refugee family, Awwad's journey towards advocating non-violence began during a three-year prison sentence when he and his mother undertook a 17-day hunger strike. This act of protest resulted in achieving permission for a visit, leading Awwad to realize the transformative power of non-violent action aligned with Gandhian principles. In 2014, Awwad co-founded the local Palestinian-Israeli initiative called Roots, which aims to promote understanding, non-violence, and transformation. His dedication to peace-building culminated in the establishment of Taghyeer, a Palestinian non-violence movement launched by over 3,000 Palestinians across the West Bank in 2016.

Taghyeer, as a mass independent movement, is committed to addressing the social development needs of Palestinians and forging a non-violent path to end the occupation. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2023 acknowledges Barenboim and Awwad's outstanding efforts in bringing together the youth and people of Israel and the Arab world. Their relentless commitment to meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful public cooperation, facilitated through music and people's participation, has paved the way for a non-violent resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, promoting harmony and respect for each other's rights.