If we are to build a brighter future for the young people of this world, then we must replace hatred and intolerance with compassion and understanding. Seeds of Peace offers hope in this vital mission. The organization brings tomorrow’s leaders together to accomplish changing minds and hearts one person at a time. -George W. Bush, Former US President
Seeds of Peace epitomizes the kind of effort so desperately needed in the Middle East to bring Arab and Israelis in contact with one another at a personal level. -Colin Powell, Former US Secretary of State
The best thing I’ve seen in the region over the last eight years is this Seeds of Peace program. That kind of dialogue is what has to replace the bullets and the rocks.
– Bill Clinton, Former US President
There can be no more important initiative than bringing together young people who have seen the ravages of war to learn the art of peace. Seeds of Peace is certainly an example of the world the United Nations is actively working for.
-Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General
When I met with President Bush, I told him the youngsters at Seeds of Peace are my symbol of coexistence and peace in the region. – Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority
Seeds of Peace is greatly contributing to the cause of peace and is vitally important. If these young people represent the next generation, then I can only be more optimistic regarding the future. You are the true builders of peace. -Shimon Peres, President of Israel
Seeds of Peace is a very fine organization, an important and noble cause. It’s promoting peace and reconciliation in places where it’s most needed. I’d like to express my support of Seeds of Peace: It’s the future. Where there is no hope, no community, there are the ingredients for instability and violence. Seeds of Peace does make a start in changing the hearts and minds of young people and through them the entire region. -George Mitchell, US special envoy to the Middle East
It’s hard to believe these idyllic moments. Back home this would be virtually unthinkable. For one moment this summer, history did stand still. -60 Minutes
Seeds of Peace is doing the hard work of building peaceful coexistence, one relationship at a time, and will be remembered by an entire generation of children who have grown up in the shadow of conflict in the Middle East. -Bill Clinton, Former US President
I welcome the efforts of Seeds of Peace. Such exposure at an early age to a divergence of views plays a crucial part in laying the foundations for tolerance and understanding. -Tony Blair, Former British Prime Minister
These campers are living the peaceful existence their parents can only dream about. By living together, the youths overcome stereotypes and form friendships that were once impossible. They are beginning to change the mindset of hatred through their experiences. -USA Today
If the future can arrive at one place on Earth and later migrate to another part of the world, this pine-scented camp on the shores of Pleasant Lake may hold hope for the tormented Holy Land. -The Washington Post
Inspired by the example of Seeds of Peace, let us cast our lot with those who choose to climb the path to reconciliation. Let us support them, and see them safely through. Thank you for everything you are doing for my favorite organization, Seeds of Peace. – Madeleine Albright, Former US Secretary of State
Looking at you, I see ample reason for renewed hope. As Seeds of Peace, you have overcome the political divides and emotional traumas of our shared history and forged meaningful friendships that have allowed you to understand and even transcend your differences. You can do something the most powerful political leaders cannot—you can realize the future we all hope for.
– Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan
These future world leaders participate in a camp that resembles the United Nations with a teen-age twist. -The Boston Globe
Seeds of Peace is an institution. I wholeheartedly support your efforts. -Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
We are most proud of Seeds of Peace because it is extremely vital to spread peace not only among leaders, and not only between institutions, but most important, between people. -Yasser Arafat, Former President of the Palestinian National Authority
Never before had they met children their own age from the opposite sides of the conflicts in their countries. But weeks later, amid hugs and tears of farewell, the enemies had become friends. -TIME
What you are doing is an extraordinary act of courage. We adults have a lot to learn from you when it comes to overcoming stereotypes, bridging historical divides and learning to live in peace. Children often are our best ambassadors. They are our Seeds of Peace. -Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of State
I wear a tie of what is called Seeds of Peace. These are brilliant children who have come together over the last several years. Some of the best friendships and the strongest ties have come to exist between these children. I often wonder whether we, the elder generations, could not learn from them. They are capable, without any doubt, of achieving great things in the time ahead. -King Hussein of Jordan
I believe that what you are doing is so important to what we’re all trying to achieve. You deserve all our thanks. It’s a remarkable program. -Madeleine Albright, Former US Secretary of State
Seeds of Peace is dong what no government can. It is instilling hope in the hearts of future generations. It is empowering young people to lead. It is emboldening them to do a better job than we have done. It is equipping them to make this a better and safer world. -Barbra Streisand
I met with the graduates of your program when I was in Israel. They are impressive indeed. Seeds of Peace efforts worldwide are deserving of every commendation. -Isaac Stern
Witnessing young Arabs and Israelis sitting together at the White House ceremony gives me hope that soon all Arabs and Israelis can live normal lives side-by-side. -Yitzhak Rabin, Former Israeli Prime Minister
For a visitor to spend two days with Mohamed and Yo Yo and Laith is to see something powerful. They play soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis together. They sleep together in cabins. And they are changing. -The New York Times
After the flood hit Jericho, not one of my Israeli counterparts in the peace talks called to ask about my family. But 21 Israeli kids, 13 to 15 years old, called my daughter. Every single one of the kids from Seeds of Peace called Dalal to ask if she was okay, to see if we were okay. This is the future. -Dr. Sa’eb Erekat
Any visitor who witnesses the interaction between these children feels convinced that change is occurring and that genuine friendships and respect for the other have formed. -Saudi Gazette
This people-to-people initiative is as important as anything that is achieved by governments. Indeed, it may even prove more important. -Henry Kissinger, Former US Secretary of State
Through their peacemaking work, the kids make contact across a divide that seemed unbridgeable. These children could have a ripple effect throughout their societies. -The Christian Science Monitor
Seeds of Peace is as important as anything done by statesmen, politicians, and people like myself because these seeds create hope. It is really to the young people who we must look for long-term, durable peace and for genuine reconciliation.
-George Mitchell, US special envoy to the Middle East
In a corner of the world where images are often more important than reality, the sight of two historic enemies getting along, even becoming friends, may send a powerful message to adults.
-Good Morning America
At the Seeds of Peace camp in Maine, Arabs and Israelis put away prejudice and anger and learn to live together. -People
I was amazed at what I saw on my visit this summer. There is nothing funny about the situations where these kids come from but their smiles and laughs always seemed to shine through and give me hope that they can make a difference. Growing up in the inner-city in Washington DC, I have seen and experienced the determination and courage it takes for teenagers to defy expectations and overcome tremendous challenges; I know these Seeds can do the same. -Dave Chappelle
The work of your organization has contributed and will contribute to the promotion of regional peace and stability. -H.E. Marwan J. Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Palestinian Authority highly values the work of Seeds of Peace, and wholly supports the idea of bringing young people from conflict ridden areas into conflict resolution programs. We are fully aware of the benefit these programs and activities have brought to the Palestinian graduates who have been lucky enough to participate. -H.E. Nabil Shaath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Palestinian National Authority
I am confident that the efforts of Seeds of Peace will eventually help in addressing the conflicts that face the world today and make the achievement of peace less elusive than it is now. -H.E. Amre Moussa, Secretary-General, League of Arab States
Seeds of Peace is an extraordinary organization working to produce genuine leaders for the future. -H.E. Shimon Peres, while Vice Premier of Israel
We are strong supporters of Seeds of Peace because of the kind of innovative and quality programs it represents….While it is essential that the pursuit of peace lead to formal agreements, peace will ultimately depend on breaking down barriers and mistrust among people. Seeds of Peace can reach thousands of young people and accomplish its goal on a modest budget. -2004 Senate letter sponsored by Senators Collins, Feinstein, Levin and Snowe
The innovative work of Seeds of Peace helps ensure the enduring commitment of these young people to peaceful coexistence. In light of the continuing violence in the Middle East and instability in other key regions, there has never been a greater need for this type of program. -2004 House letter sponsored by Representatives Ackerman, Berman, Chabot, Issa, Rahall and Ros-Lehtinen
This was my third visit to Seeds of Peace meeting these courageous and confident teenagers. Each year I am more impressed by how the camp encourages and motivates these capable young people to help make change in their societies. -Brent Barry of the Spurs
It sounds so simple and sounds so possible, and it is, all of the young people who make up Seeds of Peace are living proof that people can change, that peace is possible, that attitudes can be changed. All of you are examples for others to follow. -Colin Powell, Former US Secretary of State
We are strong supporters of Seeds of Peace because we believe that peace will ultimately depend upon breaking down barriers and mistrust among people from these regions of conflict. Governments negotiate agreements; only people can define the quality of peace. Innovative people to people programs like Seeds of Peace successfully accomplish this goal on a rather modest budget. -Congressional Letter of Support, April 2005
Our greatest fears come from those things we do not understand. Seeds of Peace stands as a place where trust is earned and learned; where young people can freely dream of being able to build a future their parents would be jealous of. -Harry Smith, Anchor, CBS The Early Show
I haven’t looked at anything through a single pair of glasses since – not even at my enemies. -(Ariel, Israeli Seed)