The Argus: Brighton Festival Thumb Brighton gave a standing ovation to Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish. His address of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict was impassioned: the medical doctor lost three of his daughters to a rocket in Gaza in 2008, only seconds after he had left their room. Yet without bitterness he explained his responsibility to make a positive difference, as revenge will not bring them back.

Having determined as a child not to accept the situation he was born into, Dr Abuelaish worked in Gaza and in Israel. He espoused the value of connecting on a human level with people as opposed to making unhelpful generalisations. Still, this audience asked what he would say to the generals who ordered the fire which killed his daughters. He refuses to hate them. Asked about boycott, he said no action should be underestimated.

Dr Abuelaish’s extraordinary disposition of acceptance of his often tragic life experiences convinced the audience of his role of arbiter. Asked whether he would consider becoming a politician, he declared politicians think only of themselves. We don’t need “political” leaders, rather we need human leaders prepared to sacrifice their position for justice. No one left doubting his sacrifice – or his mission for justice.