Twelve students from Arab and Jewish high schools in Lod and Daliyat El-Carmel are scheduled to speak before French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday on the importance of coexistence, in honor of international peace day.
The excited teens met Sunday with Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who revealed his insights on discourse with the other. "The aspiration towards peace expresses our will for a better future," he said.
Minister Gideon Sa'ar with kids (Photo: Muki Schwartz)
"The path there goes through recognizing the other and discourse based on mutual respect. I hope that your meeting in Paris proves an empowering experience held in a positive atmosphere."
Valerie Hoffman, who oversees Mideast Affairs at the Élysée Palace, learned of the program the students attend, 'Sakh-Ten', and immediately decided to invite them to the royal abode.
Tova Ben-Ari, the Education Ministry's supervisor of the program, explained its significance. "The program was created out of a need for civilian activities for Jews and Arabs in racially integrated cities such as Lod," she said.
"Its aim is to create generations of young leaders who are conscious of their personal abilities, their commitment to society, and the need for taking responsibility to actualize these rights."
Ben-Ari says the participants learned that Arabs and Jews have similar dreams and difficulties in life. "They have realized that only through taking initiative in society can they better their social situation," she said.
One of the students set to speak at the palace told the organizers he was extremely excited to go to Paris. "Up until now we have seldom even traveled to Tel Aviv," he said.
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