A kick for peace

Another crazy day in the Middle East. This time, with the Peres Center for Peace and the Al Quds organisation, for a peace-building program bringing together Israeli and Palestinian schoolchildren to play soccer (otherwise known as football). This was no ordinary soccer match, in no ordinary situation.

The game took place in Sderot; the Israeli town neighbouring Gaza, whose civilians have been the target of thousands of rocket attacks by Palestinian militants living in Gaza. The rockets have not killed large numbers of people, but they have terrorised the community, and caused massive psychological trauma. Even this morning, a rocket landed just south of Sderot. But it did not deter these children: they turned out in numbers.

The Palestinian children came from the Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank. Its original refugees came from Haifa, Jaffa and Caesarea. The camp has been there since 1950.

When we arrived at the soccer field, we received news that the Palestinian children had been delayed at a checkpoint trying to enter Israel. Everyone was disappointmented. In the meantime, the Israeli kids warmed up and took a quick class in Arabic to learn how to say: "My name is....," "pass the ball" and "come here." The two star students, not more than seven years old, were wearing kippot; it was incredibly moving.

Finally, at 5.30pm, the Palestinian children arrived; tired from the long journey, but glad to be able to get out onto the field and kick a soccer ball. The games began. Each team was mixed with Israelis and Palestinians.

Now, I must admit, I am no fan of soccer. I simply do not get the game. But today was different. Today, I got it. These kids come together because they share something in common: a love for soccer. In this space, they want to play together, they are interested in each other, they speak the same language.

I know that sport cannot solve this conflict, but it is a powerful symbol for what we have in common, not what tears us apart. By focusing on activities that unite, rather than divide, these guys are building hope for shalom.

43 days to go...