JERUSALEM | Violence, hatred and tension rage on in the Middle East, with at least 13 killed in the latest fighting between feuding factions in the Gaza Strip.
Yet one organisation is breaking down barriers. Seeds of Peace was founded in 1993 by US journalist John Wallach and is supported by UK charity World Vision.
It aims to secure lasting peace by bringing together Arab and Israeli teenagers in month-long camps in the US to dispel fear and prejudices of the “enemy”.
Here we meet a generation who could provide an answer to the hatred and deaths.
Noa and Sara
Israeli Noa Epstein, 24, met Palestinian Sara Jabari at a Seeds of Peace camp in 1997. They became pals and even made the dangerous trip to one another’s homes—risking jail in the occupied territories.
English teacher Sara, 24, is married to businessman Izzeden and is mum to Yumna, four, and Dawood, one.
She lives in Beit-Hannina, a suburb of north Jerusalem. Noa, a co-ordinator for pressure group Peace Now, lives in Jerusalem’s Mevasseret Zion suburb.
NOA SAYS: “When I was 14 my teacher offered me the chance to go to a summer camp with Israeli and Arab kids. It sounded intriguing and was an opportunity to get to know people who live nearby but who I would otherwise never get to meet.
“At the time I first went to camp, in 1997, terror attacks here were escalating and I felt a little nervous. Then I met Sara.
“We spent hours talking and soon realised the other was not the monster stereotype which is too often portrayed.
“It was important for me to travel to Sara’s home in Hebron, which is around one hour away.
“It was the first time I had been in the West Bank, former Arab territory now occupied by Israel.
“Soon after, Sara came to my home. Since she moved to Jerusalem we have been able to see more of each other. The only way this conflict can be resolved is by educating people to break down the walls of hate.”
SARA SAYS: “Before I went to the camp, I always thought Israelis were the enemy and was very afraid of them.
“My family and friends would tell me, ‘Even when you are sleeping you must take care’.
“When I discovered I’d be sharing a bunk with two Israeli girls I stayed awake all night in case they attacked me—and later they told me they did the same. But day by day the animosity broke down.
“Noa and I developed a very close friendship quickly. We were not an Israeli and a Palestinian ? simply two friends.
“I was afraid of going to Noa’s home the first time, particularly when a woman entered the house in army uniform. I thought I would be arrested or even shot but Noa said it was her sister. [Israeli girls are conscripted at 18.]
“Noa’s family made me very welcome.
“I try not to be too optimistic, but I want a future for my kids which is free from crossing army checkpoints and being divided by walls. At least they are growing up with a role model of a friendship which refuses to be broken by war.”
Hamutal and Amani
ISRAELI Hamutal Blanc, 16, from Haifa formed a firm friendship with Palestinian Amani Ermelia, 17, at a Seeds of Peace camp in June 2005. Amani lives in a refugee camp in Jericho.
HAMUTAL SAYS: “In many Israeli minds all Palestinians are terrorists. But luckily my parents have brought me up to think more liberally. Nevertheless, I wanted to meet Palestinians and see the situation with my own eyes.
“Amani and I slept in the same room at camp and formed a strong bond. We discussed lots of things, including the politics of our countries.
“I can try to understand a lot of things but I could never agree with suicide bombing. I was shocked to discover that most intelligent Palestinians do. I’d like to go to Amani’s home but it’s dangerous for me.”
AMANI SAYS: “To get to my school, five miles from my home, I have to pass through Israeli army checkpoints. I often feel scared because the soldiers can be hostile and even open fire.
“I wanted to go to Seeds of Peace to tell how I feel. I am like a bird in a cage, I can’t move freely in my own country. Just because I wear a scarf, Israelis think I am a terrorist.
“I respect Hamutal because she has made the effort to listen and understand me.”
Mahmoud and Amos
PALESTINIAN Mahmoud Massalha, 16, is from north Jerusalem. He made friends with Israeli Amos Atzmon, 16, of west Jerusalem, at a Seeds of Peace camp last year.
MAHMOUD SAYS: “Amos and I became friends because we both love football.
“The thing I admire most about him is that he is learning to speak Arabic. I am learning to speak Hebrew.
“That really helps because if we are going to make peace with the other side we need to know their language.”
AMOS SAYS: “It was the first time I had got to know Palestinian kids, rather than just seeing them as the enemy.
“I knew Mahmoud and I were going to be friends. We discovered we liked hip-hop music, particularly Eminem. I’d love to go to Mahmoud’s house but I’m a bit afraid. But if you don’t know the other side, you can never make things better.”
Read Sharon Hendry’s article at the The Sun (UK) »