Love, tolerance go hand in hand at Israeli schools

[shira]

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/534451

Love, tolerance go hand in hand at Israeli schools

Jewish and Arab students thriving in 11-year-old experiment in inter-ethnic accommodation

Nov 11, 2008 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (10)
Oakland Ross
Middle East Bureau

JERUSALEM–It is not uncommon for people to ask Areen Nashef how it is she spends most of her days, and more than a few of her evenings, in the company of Jews.

The question is posed by neighbours, family friends, or other curious souls.

"They ask me how it is to live with the Jewish kids," says the bespectacled schoolgirl, who turns 13 next month. "They say, `Don't they hurt you?' I say no."

She flashes a smile – the expression of someone who knows something others have yet to learn.

"We love each other."

Unlikely as it might seem, there is a corner of this tormented country where Arabs and Jews manage not only to get along, but also to show every appearance of being the best of friends.

In fact, to love each other.

<snip>

[shira]

1. Two points in response

1. Why can't I read of wonderful stories like these at the "pro-Palestinian", anti-Israel, "peace activist" websites? I'd really like to know - any replies to this question would be appreciated.

2. When programs like this are generated and supported by the Palestinian gov't, THEN we'll know peace is close.


ps - on edit:
This really puts a big dent in that equation, ISRAEL = PURE EVIL 24/7/365, doesn't it?

[Phx_Dem]

2. Anything that makes Israel look good is bad

How can you have boycotts and stuff when some Israeli and Palestinian kids like each other?

Pro-Palestinian orgs must be committed to keeping the two sides apart--since that is obviously the best way to solve the conflict.

Like this:

A Pro-Palestinian group has called on the University of Michigan to cancel a scheduled performance by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (JSO), saying it would constitute a "violation of the calls for broad boycotts against Israel until it recognizes the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with international law."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3623216,00.html

Great story btw, thx for posting.

[LeftishBrit]

4. There isn't enough publicity given to such stories anywhere

Peace isn't news. War and violence are. And programmes that *prevent* violence tend to get far too little interest.

There need to be far more programmes like this - everywhere.

[shira]

5. not looking for these articles in newspapers but 'peace' websites, etc..

There are plenty of 'peace' activist websites that publish venomous screeds against Israel, all the while claiming they are for 'peace'. My point is that these 'peace' activists never, AFAIK, publish articles like this OP. We know of these "critical of Israel" websites due to members here who constantly C/P from them.

It's like trying to find complimentary articles on Palestinians or Muslims on certain RW websites that only bash Palestinians/Muslims. The point is that both types of websites are hate sites, posing as sites dedicated to 'peace'.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Too true; there are plenty of non-constructive sites on all sides

I won't link to them. Some are pure hate-sites; some have what one might call 'blind spots' on certain issues.

Genuine peace sites look for involvement of and reconciliation between all the parties involved. There are many good organizations listed under the general umbrella of the Alliance for Middle East Peace.

www.allmep.org.

On a smaller scale, I like to visit the Good Neigbours Blog

www.gnblog.com

[LeftishBrit]

3. This sort of thing is the hope for the future.

Until Jewish and Arab children mix together in far more schools and situation, there will continue to be mutual hostility between them.

There is a fascinating village, Neve Shalom/Wāħat as-Salām (Oasis of Peace), which is jointly run by Arabs and Jews who live together, and whose children study together.

www.nswas.org

Also the organization Hand in Hand is doing important work in supporting school integration between Arabs and Jews in Israel:

www.handinhandk12.org