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Climbing for peace on Mt. Everest
Two Israelis, one Palestinian part of mountain-climbing quest for peace
Tzadok Yechezkeli
After four years of intensive preparations, training, disappointments and hopes, a joint team of Israeli and Palestinian climbers will set out to conquer Mount Everest in the coming days.
Israelis Dudu Yifrah and Micha Yaniv and Palestinian Ali Bushnaq promised Tuesday to help one another through the difficulties of the climb and to raise Israeli and Palestinian flags on the summit of the world's highest mountain.
The idea for the trip was planted four years ago in the mind of American mountain climber Lance Trumbull, who decided there was no better way to encourage human cooperation than organizing joint climbing expeditions involving people battling a huge gap.
After many preparations the two Israelis and the Palestinian were chosen to head a team that will also include Christian, Buddhist and Hindu representatives.
Worthwhile sacrifice
Palestinian climber Bushanek is a 43-year-old father of two. He was born in Nablus, but lives today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is a water engineer mountain climbing enthusiast.
"It is clear to me that my life depends on Dudu and Micha," he told Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel's leading daily. He also said some of his friends have stopped talking to him because he agreed to climb with Israelis.
"But the sacrifice is worth it," he added.
The nine-member group has already arrived in Katmandu, Nepal, and will set out for Everest in the coming days.
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