WADI ARA, 15 September 2007 — On the first day of Camp Coexistence, kids tended to stick with the friends whom they already knew (Jews with Jews and Arabs with Arabs). But new friendships were already forming by day two, and the kids began to interact in mixed groups.
Soccer for Peace (SFP) recently completed its most successful camp to date, the third annual soccer camp for Arab and Jewish children in Israel: Camp Coexistence 2007. The camp was a joint undertaking with the Maccabim Association and the Kibbutz Barka’i Center for Soccer, Peace and Coexistence.
Since 2005, Soccer for Peace has brought Arab and Jewish children together in Israel through overnight soccer camps. Our innovative program model of coexistence education offers children the rare opportunity to meet on a regular basis, on equal footing, to find a common language through activities they all enjoy. Dialogue, social and educational activities challenge participants to learn about, understand and respect the differences that exist among the peoples of Israel. By planting seeds of respect, tolerance and peace within our children, SFP is able to nurture and sow these seeds throughout a lifetime.
