In answer to Janice from NJ's question #1, here are a couple of organizations started by Palestinians that use nonviolent approaches to solving problems between Israel and Palestine:

Arab Association for Human Rights

Mansur Kardosh was HRA's Chairperson from its establishment in 1988 until his death in November 1998. He spent all of his life defending the cause of the Palestinian people and was untiring in his struggle for justice and human rights. As a result, he suffered arrests and exile, yet he continued to work with dedication and self-sacrifice.

The late Abu Tawfiq, Mansur Kardosh, was born in Nazareth in 1921, and was educated first at the Friends School in Ramallah, and then in Beirut. Following the 1948 Nakbah, he became involved in a number of political activities.

In 1959, he co-founded the El-Ard Movement, which campaigned against the conditions of military rule prevailing over the Palestinian minority. He remained one of the Movement's leaders until the Israeli Minister of Defence outlawed it in 1966.

In 1975, the late Abu Tawfiq helped to establish the Al-Saut Publishing Association, and subsequently to set up the Friends of Prisoners Association. As its Chairperson for 8 years, he worked tirelessly to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners. In the 80s he established the Association for Growth and Development; in 1988, the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA), and in 1997, he helped establish Adalah. He remained the HRA's Chairperson until his death.

Mansur Kardosh was a man of high integrity and dedication, who gave of himself generously and courageously. He faced many forms of harassment for his political attitudes and activities, and was regularly arrested and even exiled from Nazareth. He gained his moral stature in his ability to persist, in his unbreakable belief in human rights and justice, and also in his personal qualities. Abu Tawfiq exemplified an attitude of tolerance and compassion, and was to those around him both a teacher and a compass: in honesty, justice and patriotism. He is sorely missed.


Palestinian Group Advocates Path of Non-Violent Resistance Published on Monday, September 24, 2001 in the Toronto Star

The Palestine Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation

This is the story of what happened to this organization when the Israeli army sent tanks and troops into Bethlehem, declaring the area a military zone and effectively imprisoning people in their homes.

Noah's Story


Here are links to other organizations advocating non-violent solutions that are either Palestinian organizations, or cooperative efforts between Palestinians and Israelis:

The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights
(PICCR)

The PICCR was established in 1994 and accorded official status by Yasser Arafat as an independent organization which oversees government actions in the area of citizens' rights. PICCR's goal is to ensure the compliance of the Palestinian Authority with international human rights standards and the principles of good government...

...In its first year of operation, 350 complaints were submitted, about one fourth of which resulted in intervention from PICCR to the ministry or agency involved, recommending a change of policy.

Law : The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights & the Environment

Adalah

Addamir Prisoner ' Support Center

The Alternative Information Center

Al Liqa' Center for Religious and Heritage Studies in the Holy Land

Coalition of Women for a Just Peace

Democracy and Workers Rights Center

Negev Coexistence Forum

Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP)

Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI)

Ittijah: Union of Arab Community Based Associations

The Mandela Institute for Prisoners

Palestine Human Rights Information Center
(PHRIC)

Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)

Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG)

The Social Development Committee of Haifa

Ta'ayush Arab Jewish partnership

The Peoples' voice


Here is a page of links to human rights and peace groups and organizations from around the world:

Ariga : Human Rights and Peace Groups