"We realized the Israelis are quite similar to us in many ways"

[sabra]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885828823&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Breaking bread together

Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives have become very popular in recent years - especially those aimed at the younger generation. The organizers usually boast about their ability to generate friendship and understanding where hatred and suspicion once thrived.

The Youth Wing at The Israel Museum also promotes such activities, but the participants' expectations are relatively modest.

...

"Joining this course was important for me, not just because of my interest in art but also for the opportunity to meet Israelis," says Leena Abu Ghosh, a timid nine-year-old student of a girls' school in east Jerusalem who had never visited the museum before. Like the rest of her classmates, Leena is wearing a black dress, which is her school uniform. "We tried to forget about politics and only concentrate on art."

"We realized the Israelis are quite similar to us in many ways," adds Yasmin, her friend.

"I feel I have learned a great deal about art and at the same time enjoyed being with Israeli students like me. In spite of the fact that our relationships have not become strong, I would like to keep in touch with them. There were times when we helped each other during the course," says Sami Abulhawa.

[WindRavenX]

1. fuck war

Peace can be achieved, just when there's an absence of politics.

There should be more art, poetry, and good things.

[sabra]

2. I say let the kids run the countries :-)

[WindRavenX]

3. for real

Jesus, the older I get, the more and more I hate governments and nations...what bullshit ideas.

[Maccagirl]

4. JFK said

That the world would be better off if more poets were politicians and more politicians were poets. I don't know if he was quoting someone very wise, or if it was something he thought himself.

[shance]

5. Thank you for posting this. I hope DUers will keep sharing stories like

this that show us alternatives and things that are happening that show how we are all connected and "similar".

Because we are and focusing on that will bring about peace and more harmonic living.

[CuteNFuzzy]

6. good stuff