NEWS DESK

SHINING A LIGHT AT THE END OF A LONG, DARK TUNNEL

NEWS DESK STORIES

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FIVE ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN GROUPS RECEIVE OUR GRANTS

FOUR NEW GROUPS JOIN OUR COALITION OF PEACE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: MOHAMMED AMIN

ARAB-JEWISH YOUTH ORCHESTRA JOINS US

SHANI CHOIR ON COURSE TO JOIN FESTIVAL

SUCCESSFUL PEACE FAIR IN KINGSTON, SURREY

JULIE CIGMAN & MARTIN SIMON JOIN US AS FRIENDS

RACING 4 PEACE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

BOOKS FOR PALESTINIAN CHILDREN IN LEBANON

THE 2011 10K RUN BEATS PREVIOUS RECORDS!

SHANI CHOIR INVITED TO PRESTIGIOUS THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL

THREE NEW TRUSTEES JOIN OUR BOARD

CHAIRMAN MEETS 16 PALESTINIAN TEACHERS

KARL JENKINS CBE & DAVID BADDIEL JOIN US AS FRIENDS

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW II: AFTAB AHMED, DIRECTOR, ROYAL ISLAMIC STRATEGIC STUDIES CENTRE IN JORDAN

SUPPORT OUR 2011 10K LONDON RUN

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW I: MAHMOUD JABARI, YOUTH AMBASSADOR

THE EGYPT EFFECT: MAHMOUD JABARI LOOKS AT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ISRAEL & PALESTINE

MOHAMMED LEHIA, GAZA DOCTOR TALKS TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

THE 2010-11 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS BURSARY AWARD UPDATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW WITH HADAR SELA: AN ISRAELI MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

CHAIRMAN VISITS COLEBOURNE SCHOOL'S "PEACE WEEK" IN BIRMINGHAM, WRITES SAJIDA ASIF

DAUGHTERS FOR LIFE AFFILIATES TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

REVIEW: ROAD TO JERICHO - LARA MEPHAM

ANTONIA LESLIE & JESSICA WOOLLEY - OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP SECRETARIES

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS CHILDREN OF PEACE

CHILDREN OF PEACE WORKS WITH SHIRAA TO BRING HOPE TO WEST BANK CHILDREN

ISRAELI STAR LIEL KOLET PRESENTS OUR 2010-11 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS BURSARY AWARD

WE APPOINT KIDWELLS AS OUR LEGAL ADVISERS

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW - LABOUR FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

SHIREEN ANABTAWI & DANIELA NORRIS BECOME GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

THE PLIGHT OF THE BEDOUINS IN ISRAEL

JOIN OUR TWITTER & FACEBOOK GROUPS

NICK CLEGG - BRITISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS US

WE DONATE TO THE BETHLEHEM STAR CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION

MIFALOT, ISRAEL JOINS US AS AN AFFILIATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: PEACE ACTIVIST BASSAM ARAMIN

BRITISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SUPPORT CHILDREN OF PEACE

CROSSING QALANDIYA WRITERS VISIT STEINER ACADEMY

KATHRYN PLAYA BECOMES A FRIEND

CHILDREN OF PEACE DONATES TO ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN AFFILIATES

TWO GIRLS TO RECEIVE OUR ABIR ARAMIN BURSARY

TWO LEADING PEACE GROUPS JOIN US AS AFFILIATES

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: PROFESSOR RAPHAEL WALDEN

PEACE CHILD ISRAEL BECOMES AN AFFILIATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: SAJIDA ASIF

NEW FRIENDS JOIN CHILDREN OF PEACE

WE HAVE MORE TO UNIFY US… writes Mahmoud Jabari

JOIN OUR TWITTER & FACEBOOK GROUPS

DAME JUDI DENCH JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A PATRON

SAJIDA ASIF HOLDS EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF OUR CHARITY

10K LONDON RUN TAKES THE ROAD TO PEACE

STAND UP FOR PEACE REPEATS 2009 SUCCESS

PEACE PRE SCHOOL RECEIVES CHILDREN OF PEACE GRANT

MAHMOUD JABARI WRITES ABOUT HOPE & OF PEACE

CROSSING QALANDIYA WRITERS JOIN US AS FRIENDS

PEACE PRE SCHOOL RECEIVES CHILDREN OF PEACE GRANT

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: AGM JUNE 26th 2010

MAHMOUD JABARI WRITES ABOUT HOPE & OF PEACE

TWO NEW GROUPS JOIN US - THE STEERING CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY (BETHLEHEM) & BETHELEHEM STAR CHARITABLE SOCIETY

YASMIN LEVY - GOODWILL AMBASSADOR HOLDS INSPIRATIONAL WORKSHOP

WE APPOINT A FUNDRAISER

STEINER SCHOOLS JOIN US

CROSSING QALANDIYA - WRITERS DONATE TO US

OUR WINTER APPEAL 2009-10 SCHOOLS AID GIVING CHILDREN A CHANCE

Z OE HELLER & YOTAM SOLOMAN: NEW FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

JOIN OUR GROWING FACEBOOK GROUP

SIR DEREK JACOBI BECOMES PATRON OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

SHIRAA ORGANISATION JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE

AFFILIATE FOCUS: THE JEZREEL VALLEY MUSIC CENTER

CORK STREET CONTEMPORARY ART OPEN PRIVATE VIEW IS GREAT SUCCESS

TRUSTEES AGREE MAJOR CHANGE FOR CHILDREN

LOOK OUT FOR OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

MUSICIANS FOR PEACE TEAM UP WITH US

CORK STREET OPEN EXHIBITION - ARTISTS SHOW UP FOR
CHILDREN OF PEACE

THREE GROUPS RECEIVE OUR SMALL INTERNATIONAL GRANT

ISLA BLAIR, SIMON CALLOW, JULIAN GLOVER AND JANINE MARTIN
JOIN AS FRIENDS

NEW AFFILIATE -
MAOF SCHOOL, ISRAEL

OUR 10K LONDON RUNNERS
EXCEED PERSONAL BEST

67 WEST BANK CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM THE 2008 WINTER APPEAL

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE -
A GREAT SUCCESS

UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENT GROUPS SUPPORT CHILDREN OF PEACE

PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR GIVES US
FULL SUPPORT AND JOINS AS FRIEND

MATT LUCAS, PHILIP GLENISTER & AMELIA QUINLAN - NEW FRIENDS

SAHAR SHALALLDA AND DEJITSU WASSI - RECEIVE THE ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' EDUCATIONAL BURSARY

STAND UP FOR PEACE - A BRILLIANT EVENING - A FUNDRAISING TRIUMPH!

NEW AFFILIATE - THE PEACE PRE-SCHOOL AT THE YMCA, JERUSALEM

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE - JUNE 2009 - IS A SELL-OUT SUCCESS

10K LONDON RUN - SUPPORT OUR TEAM

CORK STREET - CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW TO RAISE FUNDS THIS AUGUST

THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES CHOOSES US FOR NEW WEBSITE

COUNTESS OF CHICHESTER, SHEIKH MANASRAH, MANAL TIMRAZ JOIN US

STAND UP FOR PEACE: A NIGHT OF COMEDY ON 23RD MAY

OUR 2009 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' BURSARY FOR ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN GIRLS

WESAL - GAZA SCHOOLS JOIN CHILDREN OF PEACE AS NEW AFFILIATE

AFFILIATE FOCUS: HAND IN HAND FOR ARAB-JEWISH EDUCATION

CORK STREET - CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW TO RAISE FUNDS THIS AUGUST

BRITISH ACTRESS SAMANTHA MORTON JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A FRIEND

"ANGEL OF MOSTAR" SALLY BECKER BECOMES GOODWILL AMBASSADOR TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

KING’S ACADEMY, JORDAN TO BE KEY PARTNER OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN RACING DRIVERS RACE FOR PEACE

HELPING THE CHILDREN - SAINT JOHN

OF JERUSALEM EYE HOSPITAL GROUP

AFFILIATE FOCUS – HANNAH WEITZER LOOKS AT THE WORK OF WINDOWS

CORINNE BAILEY RAE GIVES STRONG SUPPORT TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

JEWISH SIXTH FORMERS CHOOSE CHILDREN OF PEACE AS THEIR 2009 CHARITY

BORIS JOHNSON - THE MAYOR OF LONDON GIVES HIS SUPPORT FOR OUR WORK

CHILDREN OF PEACE SETS UP NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

AMERICAN DONORS CAN NOW GET TAX BREAKS IF YOU GIVE TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

2009 - THE UNITED NATIONS YEAR OF THE CHILD

GORDON BROWN SENDS PERSONAL MESSAGE OF SUPPORT

HELENA BONHAM CARTER
TIM BURTON
AND SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR
JOIN AS FRIENDS

GOODWILL AMBASSADORS MANSOOR & VALERIE IJAZ ON
WHY THEY ENDORSE OUR WORK

VICE-PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN SUPPORTS
CHILDREN OF PEACE

DONATIONS TO FIVE REGIONAL PARTNERS

INTERNATIONAL STAR YASMIN LEVY BECOMES GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

THREE LEADING ACADEMICS
JOIN AS FRIENDS

TEAM CHILDREN OF PEACE TRIUMPH

GAZA AID SHIPMENT REACHES THE CHILDREN

AMERICAN SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN SUPPORTS US

HOUSE OF GRACE JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE

10K TEAM RAISES MONEY FOR CHILDREN OF PEACE

JEFF GOLDBLUM MEETS SIR DEREK JACOBI IN LONDON

BASSAM ARAMIN BECOMES CHILDREN OF PEACE GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

DOMINIC MARTIN BECOMES SPORTS COORDINATOR - MADELEINE McGIVERN OUR VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR

JULIA SAWALHA JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A FRIEND

MESSAGE FROM TONY BLAIR
March 2008

EMMA THOMPSON, GREG WISE, IMELDA STAUNTON AND JIM CARTER BECOME FRIENDS OF THE CHARITY March 2008

BRITISH ARTIST HOLDS CHARITY NIGHT March 2008

ABIR ARAMIN 2008 SCHOLARSHIP

GAZA EMERGENCY APPEAL SENDS AID December 2007

HEREFORD FOOTBALL CLUB SUPPORT December 2007

SOCCER SCHOOLS UPDATE

STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN ATTEND THE FIRST LONDON EVENT November 2007

OUR GAZA FRIENDS CALL ON CHILDREN OF PEACE TO HELP October 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE SUPPORTS ONEVOICE DAY OF PEACE
October 2007

MIDDLE EAST DELEGATION REPORTS TO DISTINGUISHED GUESTS April 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE SOCCER TEAM WIN WORLD CUP! March 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE DELELGATION MEETS 13 ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN GROUPS March 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE REMEMBERS ABIR ARAMIN January 2007

BIG LOTTERY FUND AWARDS FIRST INTERNATIONAL GRANT TO CHILDREN OF PEACE December 2006

CHILDREN OF PEACE ENJOYS A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH Nov. 2006

PATRON:
MADONNA
DAME JUDI DENCH

ROYAL PATRON:
HH THE BEGUM
AGA KHAN

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THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES

Supporting Good Causes Worldwide

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JANUARY 2011...

DAVID CAMERON - BRITISH PRIME MINISTER - SUPPORTS CHILDREN OF PEACE

The Board of Trustees are delighted to announce that the British Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP has given us his full support for our work in promoting peace between communities in the Middle East and for our commitment to protecting all children in Israel and Palestine.

The Prime Minister describes our work as "excellent" and he commends our achievements in the following official statement:

"For peace and stability in the Middle East, it is important that the next generation of Israelis and Palestinians live and work side by side. Charities such as Children of Peace play an important role in increasing understanding and tolerance, and helping to ensure long term peace. We wish them continued success."

Chairman and Founder of Children of Peace, Richard Martin says:

"We are truly honoured to receive the support of David Cameron, the British Prime Minister. The non-partisan message of Children of Peace is a compelling reminder that in all conflicts there is hope and that children are all too often the forgotten victims. David Cameron joins many world leaders in recognising the growing impact of our work and its underlying message."

CHILDREN OF PEACE WORKS WITH SHIRAA TO BRING HOPE TO WEST BANK CHILDREN

The Shiraa Organisation, based in Bethlehem, West Bank received a Children of Peace Small International Grant in 2010. Shiraa focuses upon building peaceful connections between Israeli and Palestinian children and youth and is an active grassroots organisation working to improve the lives of young Palestinians caught up in the cycle of conflict.

"We are very grateful for the support offered by Children of Peace and by your ongoing work to build a secure future for all children affected by the political problems in Israel and Palestine."
Hussein al Hroub, The Shiraa Organisation.

Comments by the children

“My dream is to have a free country where I can live in peace without death and tanks. I will never forget playing in the water”
Abeer Sameer

“Now it’s the time to have new beginning. Now it’s the to destroy walls and build bridges. We thanks the children of peace with us and to communicate their interest in children”
Malak Maher

Our grant has funded an air conditioning unit and a heating system at the children's recreational centre, whilst also funding coordinated two month long ICDL courses which give participants training on Microsoft office programmes (including Access, Excel, Power Point, Word) and an introduction to the computer and internet. The target group for the course was 13-14 year old girls and boys. They met three days a week for 2 hours each time.

On 20th October Shiraa organized a trip for 40 children to Murad, a swimming pool outside Bethlehem as a treat for the target group. The children who participated were asked to be involved because they are known to suffer depression and are from families with little or no disposable funds for recreational activities.

Shiraa was invited by Al Ruwwad organization in Aida Refugee Camp to perform an event in celebration of al Eid. The event was an opportunity for Shiraa to share with a community which spanned the generations the skills that the team has been learning and practising. Such performances are an important means of expression for children from this region. Shiraa also performed in Al Khader at the request of the village's youth centre.

INTERNATIONAL STAR, ISRAELI SINGER
LIEL KOLET PRESENTS OUR
2010-11 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' BURSARY AWARD

Two ten year old girls share accolade

In this article, Helen Mendelson at the Hand in Hand for Arab Jewish Education schools in Israel describes the awards ceremony at the Galil school, where two outstanding candidates - Yam Luria and Eden Halayilah received the 2010-11 Children of Peace Abir Aramin Girls Bursary from international singing star Liel Kolet, a Children of Peace Goodwill Ambassador:

"December 13th was a very special day at the The Hand in Hand Galil school when they welcomed Liel Kolet, Israeli singer to their school. Liel was visiting the school to present Yam Luria and Eden Halayilah, both 4th Grade students, with the 2010-11 Children of Peace Abir Aramin Girls' Bursary in honour of the memory of Abir Aramin.

Present at the ceremony was Kamal Abu Younis, Principal of the Galil school, together with the girls' parents Hussain and Fatmah Halayilah and Shachi and Basmat Luria, as well as Liel Kolet's mother and members of the Hand in Hand staff and students and representatives from the local press.

Kamal took Liel on a tour of the school before visiting a 3rd grade class where she sang. The children were able to ask her questions regarding her work for Children of Peace, after which she presented the Children of Peace Certificates to Eden and Yam.

The parents and the students were then given the opportunity to express their thanks and appreciation to Liel and Children of Peace.

Liel said she had had a wonderful time at the school and went on to say that the principal and teachers are doing amazing work. She felt that Hand in Hand definitely represents what Children of Peace is all about and, she went on to say that what she experienced "gives me hope and encouragement to continue with my mission to promote peace, especially to the young generation."

Liel went on to say that the "school is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. The Principal and the teachers are so great and so kind and they are doing amazing work - which is what Children of Peace is all about."

The Awards ceremony was covered by the regional Arab press, which can be viewed by clicking this link: www.alarab.net/Article/0000347065

UK LAW FIRM - KIDWELLS - APPOINTED AS OUR LEGAL ADVISERS

Kidwells Law Solicitors Limited have been appointed pro bono legal advisory team to the Board of Children of Peace.

Based in Hereford, United Kingdom - Kidwells is a Law Society Lexcel accredited, dynamic firm of solicitors. Kidwells' practice was set up in June 2008 and has grown to a company entity with specialist litigation lawyers.

As well as civil and commercial litigation, Kidwells specialises in company and commercial law; employment law, both private and commercial; debt recovery; dispute resolution including mediation; wills, trusts and probate, family law and personal injury.

Michael Horne

Kidwells has a long standing corporate social responsibility commitment, having pre-existing charity partnerships with local children's bereavement charity, Noahs' Ark Trust and Macmillans Cancer Support. The firm's remit to date has extended to fund raising and leveraging charity philosophy and brand awareness and the team are therefore delighted to be able to extend this remit now by providing pro bono legal advice to Children of Peace.

Kidwell's will aim to provide the Board with advice on a range of issues that might arise in the course of the charity's work. Children of Peace can call on a wealth of experience within the company, including that of Director, Barrister and Immigration Judge Dele Alakija, Director of Litigation Michael Horne and Employment Law specialist Christopher Aldridge. Principal liaison co-ordinator between the charity and Kidwells will be Marketing Manager, Anna Roby-Welford.

Michael Horne commented 'Kidwells are delighted to be invited to provide legal advice to the Board of Children for Peace. We are fully committed to the ethos and work of the charity and hope that our contribution will help provide a supportive platform for the valuable work and efforts of this fantastic charity. We look forward to a long and productive relationship'.

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW -
LABOUR FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

In the latest of our series of interviews, Children of Peace Trustee Professor Sarah Brown talks to Ben Garratt, Head of Policy and Research for Labour Friends of Israel (United Kingdom).

Sarah Brown: Can you say a little about why you think there is a need for 'Labour Friends of Israel?

Ben Garratt: We believe there is a real need to kick-start a debate about the progressive case for Israel. We need to challenge the perception that to be left wing is to be automatically against Israel, after all, Israel was founded on social democratic values and remains a example of a socially and economically progressive country in a region where progressive values are in short supply.

SB: What do you think are the most common misconceptions about Israel?

BG: Israel is rarely discussed in the British political arena without reference to the Middle East conflict. Whilst supporting those on the ground trying to resolve this conflict is our utmost priority, we also seek to discuss other aspects of Israeli society within the Labour movement, including its social democratic values and history and its vibrant, successful economy.

A misconception that we sometimes come across is that there has never been a genuine will or drive for peace within Israel. As a group which is wholly supportive of a two state solution, one of our biggest frustrations is people not appreciating how close the sides have come to making peace in the past.

With regards to the conflict, we seek to explain the context behind the difficulties, including Israel's security needs, the regional impediments to peace and also the importance of fostering coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. We want to rationally discuss the politics of the region without resorting to an Israelis versus Palestinians narrative which drowns out the efforts of all those Israelis who have long strived to ensure social justice and equality for all within Israel, whilst reaching out to make peace in a very difficult neighbourhood.

SB: You sometimes arrange visits to Israel and Palestine - can you identify any particularly memorable moment from such visits?

BG: LFI organises delegations to Israel and the Palestinian territories for Labour Parliamentarians and other members of the Labour movement, so they can see for themselves the realities on the ground.

It is difficult to choose one event as the delegation experience is so diverse, but our visits to Sderot are always very moving. Seeing the way people live in almost impossible conditions as a result of the conflict only strengthens our resolve to support those Israelis and Palestinians working towards peace.

In addition, given common misconceptions about Jews and Arabs it is fascinating and uplifting to visit coexistence projects like Hand in Hand, which educates Jewish and Arab Israeli children together, in both Hebrew and Arabic.

SB: Middle East peace talks seem to have stalled. But can you pinpoint any developments in the region which give cause for hope?

BG: We wholly support the work of Quartet Representative Tony Blair in bringing improvements on the ground. Blair has been integral to persuading Israel to remove checkpoints and roadblocks from around the Palestinian towns and cities that were once hotbeds of terrorism and are now centres of economic activity, including Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqiliya. Due to these improvements, as well as significant levels of foreign aid, GDP in the West Bank grew by an astounding nine percent in the first half of 2010. In addition, these developments have also allowed greater opportunities for economic coexistence. For example, the Gilboa Regional Council in Israel and the District of Jenin in the West Bank cooperate on a number of trade initiatives and have recently launched a joint tourism project.

We also very much welcome the significantly eased blockade of the Gaza Strip and hope that it will enable economic growth in the territory and help the people to free themselves from Hamas' oppressive rule.

Unfortunately, however, there are also developments of great concern that point towards instability in the region, such as Iran's continued illegal nuclear programme and the recent collapse of the Lebanese government.

SB: Many people in this country have great sympathy for the situation of the Palestinians. What are the best ways of demonstrating their support?

BG: LFI believes it is both possible to support a safe and secure Israel as well as a viable Palestinian state, and will always argue that the best way to support the Palestinian cause is to support those striving towards achieving a negotiated two state solution to the conflict. Unfortunately there are many organisations that claim to support the Palestinians but, by opposing a two state solution, they do not have their best interests at heart.

A rather striking youth manifesto has recently been published by some young Gazans - I'd be interested to hear your response to this:
www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=113803372021733

Like many others we found it fascinating to read the views of young Gazans expressed in this way. This manifesto reminds us yet again that Hamas is not representative of the Palestinian people of Gaza, who just want a better life for themselves and their families.

As progressives it should go without saying that we are appalled by Hamas' daily persecution of women, minorities, political rivals and gay people.

Children of Peace is a non partisan, conflict resolution charity dedicated to the protection of all children and their communities in Israel and Palestine.
The Children of Peace Interview is a regular column that reflects the
diverse opinions of our supporters. The views expressed in the article
do not necessarily reflect those of the charity itself.

SHIREEN ANABTAWI AND DANIELA NORRIS
BECOME GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

Israeli and Palestinian writers join our team

Leading writers - Palestinian Shireen Anabtawi and Israeli Daniela Norris - co-authors of the seminal book "Crossing Qalandiya" have both agreed to become Goodwill Ambassadors to Children of Peace.

The Trustees of Children of Peace are delighted to welcome two exceptional people who join the charity as Goodwill Ambassadors - Shireen Anabtawi and Daniela Norris. Shireen and Daniela join other notable Ambassadors that include Mansoor Ijaz, Valerie Ijaz, Yasmin Levy, Liel Kolet, Sally Becker, Ed Davey MP, Tobias Ellwood MP and Louise Ellman MP, together with our first Youth Ambassador Mahmoud Jabari.

Goodwill Ambassadors reflect the diverse character of Children of Peace and they play an important role in bringing our work to the attention of world leaders, the media and our global support network, acting as advocates for our charity and it's underlying message.

Chairman and Founder, Richard Martin says:

"We are all honoured that Shireen and Daniela have agreed to become Goodwill Ambassadors to Children of Peace. They exemplify how much can be achieved when two neighbours become close friends, bringing together the talents and hopes drawn from the special heritage and narrative of each community. Shireen and Daniela bring to the charity a much valued world view that can only enhance and enrich our work in protecting all of the children in the region."

You can obtain the book "Crossing Qalandiya" at: www.crossingqalandiya.com

THE PLIGHT OF THE NEGEV BEDOUIN

Background: The Negev Bedouin are traditionally pastoral semi-nomadic Arab tribes indigenous to the Negev region in Israel, who hold close ties to the Bedouin of the Sinai Peninsula. The forced alteration of their traditional lifestyle has led to sedentarization. Estimated to number some 160,000, they comprise 12% of the Arab citizenry of Israel. Of Israel's total population, 12% live in the Negev, and Negev Bedouin constitute approximately 25% percent of the total population. Because of their status in Israeli society as the principal Arab population that serves in the army (in addition to a portion of the Druze), Bedouin have experienced a rift with the Palestinian population on several levels. Many Bedouin want to disassociate themselves from the 'term' Palestinian, which is associated with terrorism in Israel. Already in an extremely tenuous situation, they fear that identifying themselves with Palestinians will further injure their status in Israeli society and their potential to gain respect for their rights as citizens.

Ismail Khaldi is the first Bedouin deputy consul of the State of Israel and the highest ranking Muslim in the Israeli foreign service. Khaldi is a strong advocate of Israel. While acknowledging that the state of Israeli Bedouin minority is not ideal, he said:

"I am a proud Israeli - along with many other non-Jewish Israelis such as Druze, Bahai, Bedouin, Christians and Muslims, who live in one of the most culturally diversified societies and the only true democracy in the Middle East. Like America, Israeli society is far from perfect, but let us deal honestly. By any yardstick you choose - educational opportunity, economic development, women and gay's rights, freedom of speech and assembly, legislative representation - Israel's minorities fare far better than any other country in the Middle East."

However, Bedouins experience significant state interference in their nomadic and traditional way of life, which can result in demolitions of whole villages deemed to be illegal by the Israeli authorities. The subsequent trauma and pain is illustrated in this article by Karen Douglas, Resource Development Coordinator, Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality - an affiliate of Children of Peace. The pictures shown in this article are taken by Bedouin children, caught up in the traumatic demolition of their village community.

Bedouin Children Deeply Traumatised by Home Demolitions

by Karen Douglas

In recent months, the Israeli government has intensified its campaign to demolish the homes of Arab-Bedouins in the Negev desert region of Israel on the grounds that they were illegally built. One village in particular, Al Arakib, has become the symbol of the ongoing land dispute between the government and its Bedouin citizens having been completely demolished a total of eight times since July 27, 2010.

The small village with over 100 children was razed to the ground by bulldozers each time during early dawn-before the children had left for school. Additionally, the most recent demolition was carried out just one day before the children were to begin a two-week vacation.

The human cost of the demolitions on the residents has been extensive and the most vulnerable, the women, elderly and children, have suffered disproportionately from the government's actions. The violent destruction of one's home by a small army of police in full riot gear has predictably had painful ramifications on the mental health of the children. Many have been visibly traumatised, however, the full extent of their emotional and psychological distress is probably not yet apparent.

Additionally, the demolitions have led also to considerable physical hardship and impoverishment as the families are unable to retrieve any of their personal belongings. The desert is bitterly cold at night in winter and there is now neither heating nor hot water in their temporary makeshift shacks thus increasing the risk of illness amongst the children.

Alia Salim Abu Madigam, age 14, tells us in her own words about the demolitions (translated from Arabic):

“The village Al Arakib was blooming like a flower in spring, the white houses sparkled like pearls in light, the children were cheerful and happy with smiles on their faces, we lived in happiness and prosperity. In the morning when the sun rose and the dew had not parted, the leaves on the trees sparkled like gems, the birds chirped and the hens clucked waking you up and signalling a new day. In short, our village was part of paradise. All this ended when the police and the authority decided to ruin the dream and turn it into a nightmare. Our houses demolished, trees uprooted, smiles disappeared, the joy turned to grief, the birds left us because there is no place to nest, the hens trampled under the ruins, and the village became something else.

I hope and pray we will return to those days, rebuild our village and go on with our lives as we love life.”

JOIN OUR TWITTER AND FACEBOOK GROUPS

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We would love you to join in the conversation with us.

Click the link: twitter.com/childrenofpeace

And if you haven't yet joined our Facebook group, just click below too. We are trying to reach 1000 supporters by the end of 2010, so please invite your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community to join us and tell the world you all care about the children.

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