COUNTING... NINE MONTHS OF DESTRUCTION!
“As this cruel and bitter war between Israel and Hamas lingers on, the collateral damage is palpable. More than 35,000 have died in Gaza. Over half are women and children.
Mohamed Farahat, our late colleague. Killed in a June Israeli air-raid.
A Colleague Killed
We pay tribute to our late friend and colleague in Gaza, Mohamed Farahat.
Israeli Perspective
Our Israel correspondent on a rise in worldwide antisemitism.
Walking for Peace 2024
Goodwill Ambassador, Paul Haines has been travelling again, in support of us.
Disability in Conflict
Sara in Gaza is disabled. She talks about her struggle to cope with life and war.
Hackney Arts
Elizabeth Melinek is organising a Hackney arts trail. With space for Children of Peace.
Foot Notes
Recent news about our region, including about a ceasefire, maybe!
Blind hatred leads...
… only to a world of greater darkness.
At Children of Peace we mourn the tragic loss of our Gaza colleague Mohamed Farahat who died in an air raid on 12 June. His passing has been a cruel blow. He leaves a pregnant wife and two children. Mohamed was a key member of our Gaza team who selflessly volunteered to ensure the success of our Nurses Bursary Program in Gaza, training 14 nurses since 2018. When peace comes back, the Trustees will honour this remarkable man with a Scholarship Program in his name. May he rest in peace.
Richard Martin, President and Founder.
WHAT WE DO – AND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
Children of Peace is a non-partisan charity organization for Israeli and Palestinian children, aged 4 – 17, and their communities. Our aim is a shared spirit and well-being through arts, education, health and sports. Working for peace, building trust, friendship and reconciliation. So future generations might live peacefully side-by-side. We don’t take sides.
Shadow Home Secretary of the United Kingdom
"The UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear and has not changed: we support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees.
The UK shares your commitment to helping build understanding between people on both sides of the conflict, including engaging in people-to-people work to bring together different communities. This includes promoting a more positive portrayal of one another to contribute to building the conditions needed for peace."
"As your organization has recognized, children are often overlooked victims of violent conflict, and too few efforts are focused on their particular needs. Generations of Israeli and Palestinian children have grown up with peace as an elusive dream. Supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process requires grassroots reconciliation through the mobilization of non-governmental organizations such as Children of Peace. I wish Children of Peace the best success in all of its endeavors as it continues to grow."
"The Holy Father will remember your intentions in his prayers and he invokes upon you God's blessings of joy and peace."
I commend Children of Peace for their work in this area."
“For those of us who want to see a secure and viable state of Israel alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine, it is clear that projects which help to foster trust between different communities are an important way to encourage peaceful co-existence.
Children of Peace’s work not only helps to break down some of the stereotypes and fears that characterise the conflict in Israel and Palestine, but gives young people the chance to make friends and meet role models who can help them see things from a different perspective.”
Photo credits…
Judi Dench, Robert Wilson. Sunrise, John Towner, Unsplash. Neon sign, Charles Deluvio, Unsplash. Emily Thornberry, Chris MacAndrew.