FRANCE: "A Voyage for Peace" brings ten Israeli and ten Palestinian children to Paris, to encourage dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians

Record ID: 349430

  • Title: FRANCE: "A Voyage for Peace" brings ten Israeli and ten Palestinian children to Paris, to encourage dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians
  • Date: 6th June 2007
  • Summary: (MER-1) PARIS, FRANCE (JUNE 3, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHILDREN CHATTING AT THE TROCADERO IN PARIS T-SHIRT SAYING "VOYAGE FOR PEACE" VARIOUS OF GROUP OF CHILDREN POSING FOR PHOTOS VARIOUS OF CHILDREN SITTING OUTSIDE EATING AND DRINKING ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE NISSIM ZVILI TALKING WITH HIS WIFE MAN INTRODUCING THE ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT, ODAY KORAYCH AND GAL PELLEG
  • Embargoed: 21st June 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RGEEUEFTXQF0TIS9715WAEU2
  • Story Text: Twenty Israeli and Palestinian children converged in Paris's Trocadero for festivities and a bike-ride, in an effort to get to know each other outside of the tense climate in the Middle East.
    Ten Israeli and ten Palestinian "Young Ambassadors for Peace", aged between 12 and 15, will spend eight days (June 1-8) in Paris as part of a trip which is organised jointly by the Israeli "Peres Centre for Peace" and the Palestinian "Al-Quds Centre for Democracy and Dialogue". Both organisations work towards establishing a durable peace between their two peoples.
    "The aim is to organise an educational and sporting events, through these initiatives we send a political message to the international community and the French about the necessity for peace and the end to the conflict", explained an organiser from Al-Quds, Oday Abukarec.
    In order to achieve peace both organisations highlight the importance of the younger generations interacting with each other.
    "I wanted to participate in this programme, to travel and to meet new people, especially young Israelis, in order to come into contact with them and form a relationship with them that has nothing to do with killing and such. We can play together, get to know each other better so that there can be peace between us, that's what I hope for," Said a young Palestinian visitor, Julie Khoury.
    As part of the "Voyage for Peace" the children will take part in sporting activities, cultural events and debates.
    This includes a football "Match for Peace" and a conference at the French Senate titled "The Voice of Young People: The Foundation of Tomorrow's Peace".
    "We are all the time playing together, Arab and Israeli. This is good, this is -- it can bring the peace," said Yakit Soroski, a young Israeli "Peace Ambassador".
    Celebrities and politicians also gave their support to the initiative. Amongst them were the actress Emmanuelle Beart and the Israeli ambassador Nissim Zvili .
    "It's a step to peace, that's what they say, but it's a small step for peace, but al the steps are important," said the actress Emanuelle Beart who explained her reasons for taking part.
    During the trip the "Peace Ambassadors" met with French children. It is hoped that being in a country removed from the conflict will also help to facilitate dialogue.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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