Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Monday 24 July 2017
Optimism survives on 25th anniversary of Seeds of Peace

days, there’s also a sepa-
rate camp for U.S. teens
aimed at healing some of
the nation’s divisions.
The three-week camp,
which wraps up this week-
end, relies on the same for-
mula used since the begin-
ning. Built on respect, trust
and communication, teen-
agers raised to see each
other as enemies learn
through dialogue sessions
that they have a lot in com-
mon despite differences in
culture and religion.
Noam Gabay, a 15-year-
old from Tiberias, Israel,
said former foes that he
knew only from news ac-
counts were transformed
into something he couldn’t
fathom before.
“I didn’t think we could be
friends,” he said.
The only Maine summer
camp protected by state
police provides a safe ha-
ven for the teens, some of
whom have had friends
and family killed or jailed.
A camper from Israel, left, and the United Kingdom discuss music at the Seeds of Peace camp, Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Otisfield, Each day, there are dis-
Maine. For 25 years, Israeli and Palestinian teens have been coming to the woods of Maine, along with campers from other coun- cussions in which the teens
tries at conflict, to try to work toward peace. They’re no closer to resolving the conflict but there’s still hope, the latest group says.
(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) share their stories, followed
by group challenges
By DAVID SHARP where campers are thrust
Associated Press into in trust-oriented activi-
OTISFIELD, Maine (AP) — ties. They also join in tradi-
Middle East peace is no tional summer camp ac-
closer today than it was a tivities like boating, swim-
quarter century ago when ming, games, drama, art
Seeds of Peace brought and music.
the first Israeli and Palestin- Ynon Reiner, 14, of Kiryat
ian teens together in the Ono, Israel, described
woods of Maine. But the working with a Palestinian
latest group to spend time teen on a ropes course
together sees reason for high above the ground.
optimism. They had to pass each oth-
Husam Zarour, a Palestin- er to get to the other side.
ian from East Jerusalem, Complicating things, Rein-
said Israeli and Palestin- er was blindfolded and re-
ian youth have inherited lying on instructions of his
an untenable situation but Palestinian peer.
that it’s their job to fix it. “You’re suspended in the
“We are born in this place air. Someone is telling you
and running way is not a what to do. You don’t care
solution. We should not if he’s a Palestinian. You’re
give up. We should face 6 meters (20 feet) high!”
this issue and try to solve it,” Reiner said.
the 16-year-old said. A camp counselor videotapes campers from Israel, India and Palestine as they speak about their Through angry and tear-
The lakeside camp that’s experiences at the Seeds of Peace camp, Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Otisfield, Maine. ful discussions, the camp-
celebrating its 25th anni- ers learned about each
versary was created when day, there can be lasting dured despite violence in soccer. “We’ve got a lot of other’s suffering. They also
the late foreign news cor- peace. Over the years, the homeland. Yet peace work to do but we feel like learned about common
respondent John Wallach more than 6,000 graduates remains as elusive as ever. we’re making a dent.” goals.
brought a group of Israeli of the program have be- “I don’t think our founder The 67-acre (27-hectare) “We both deserve a
and Arab teens in 1993 come politicians, business was under the impression camp has expanded its peaceful life. We both de-
amid clashes over territory leaders, teachers, journal- that we were going to cre- reach over the years, serve a happy life. And we
and Palestinians’ desire ists, nonprofit leaders and ate the peace treaty over- bringing in teenagers from want this for our kids. We
for an independent state. parents. Many of the Arab- night,” executive direc- other trouble spots such as don’t want our kids to live
The hope is to find com- Israeli friendships that took tor Leslie Lewin said while Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, in the same way we lived,”
mon ground so that one root in Maine have en- watching the teens play India and Pakistan. These Zarour said.q