Jun. 24, 2006 23:21 | Updated Jun. 25, 2006 10:41
Arab-Jewish center honored for 'peacemaking efforts'
By ALIZA APPELBAUM AND SARINA ROSENBERG

When she moved to Israel six years ago, Fatini Spiliopoulos didn't speak a word of Hebrew and worried about making friends in her new Jaffa neighborhood.

But after a cousin brought her to the Arab-Jewish Community Center, Spiliopoulos, 19, said she had found a family. Now a pianist in the center's musical ensemble, Spiliopoulos said she valued the time spent with her Christian, Muslim and Jewish peers.

"Their selection highlights the importance of uniting the Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel," Goldberg told some 100 Jaffa community members and political leaders.


Abu Shindi, a lifelong Jaffa resident, said he had approached the Tel Aviv municipality with the idea for a center that would encourage face-to-face contact in the troubled community. The city donated a centrally located plot to the project, which has been operating for 13 years.

"You can't change prejudice in one year," Abu Shindi said. "If you want to change it's got to be through intensive coexistence projects."

Founded on the belief that tolerance should begin at a young age, the center provides a wide range of venues for Jews and Arabs to interact - everything from soccer and day care to computer classes and political speakers.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1150885840266&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

A small step on the right road,well done them...

A small step on the right road,well done them...

I am amazed by your positive reply. I am willing to bet that there are not anymore liberals that will join you in your congratulations.

I am amazed by your positive reply. I am willing to bet that there are not anymore liberals that will join you in your congratulations.That's an odd thing to say. Liberals get accused of alot of things, but being opposed to peace and reconciliation usually aren't among them. I wish them well.

That's an odd thing to say. Liberals get accused of alot of things, but being opposed to peace and reconciliation usually aren't among them. I wish them well.
I am surprised and confused at finding something good in the pit of a liberals heart.

Now, I am sure that googs and guerilla will not praise this action to end racism and find peace.

I am amazed by your positive reply. I am willing to bet that there are not anymore liberals that will join you in your congratulations.
Why amazed reb,at the end of the day people have to learn to get on with each other,whether they like it or not,a lesson I learnt here in Ireland over the last number of years,the underlying problem between Isreal/Palestine needs resolved,to an honourable and fair settlement for both sides,this in my opinion is were the US should step in,not taking one side,but forcing both sides to sort it out,because the implications are enormous..........

Now, I am sure that googs and guerilla will not praise this action to end racism and find peace.

When they do you can acuse them of just doing it out of spite.

It is good to see any peace making efforts between people of disagreement.
It is also disappointing that those that feed such disagreement will never participate.

Why amazed reb,at the end of the day people have to learn to get on with each other,whether they like it or not,a lesson I learnt here in Ireland over the last number of years,the underlying problem between Isreal/Palestine needs resolved,to an honourable and fair settlement for both sides,this in my opinion is were the US should step in,not taking one side,but forcing both sides to sort it out,because the implications are enormous..........

Yes it is starting to make sense of a sort. When I debate for the survival of Israel, I am usually up against Islamics, Neo-Nazis or liberals so I color them all with the same brush. Sometimes the Neo-Nazis and Islamics even dress up in a liberal suit.

This thread is like a filter, to filter out the honest liberals from the true racist. Paulc and Sedan are good hearted liberals but Googs and Guerilla, what are you? True liberal or otherwise? Let me hear from you.

When they do you can acuse them of just doing it out of spite.

Hello Lionel,

You may have many abilities but mind reading is not one of them. You will see if they dare come here.

It is good to see any peace making efforts between people of disagreement.
It is also disappointing that those that feed such disagreement will never participate.

That is the sad truth, I will say no more for now.

Yes it is starting to make sense of a sort. When I debate for the survival of Israel, I am usually up against Islamics, Neo-Nazis or liberals so I color them all with the same brush. Sometimes the Neo-Nazis and Islamics even dress up in a liberal suit.

This thread is like a filter, to filter out the honest liberals from the true racist. Paulc and Sedan are good hearted liberals but Googs and Guerilla, what are you? True liberal or otherwise? Let me hear from you.

It's ironic how you see me as a Neo-Nazi, I see you the exact sameway. Im not a liberal nor a convervative. Just because I hate Ann Coultour, does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against the Israeli Occupation of Palestine, does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against the Iraq war does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against abortion does not mean I'm a conservative. Just because I support capital punishment does not mean I am a conservative. I do not like to tie myself to any political group. What I am is a Palestinan Muslim.

Now, I am sure that googs and guerilla will not praise this action to end racism and find peace.

I don't know why u would say that. I am grateful for this program and I hope for more but I don't see that happening especially since the program is intended for Israelie Arabs and Israelie Jews.

=googs It's ironic how you see me as a Neo-Nazi, I see you the exact sameway. Im not a liberal nor a convervative. Just because I hate Ann Coultour, does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against the Israeli Occupation of Palestine, does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against the Iraq war does not mean I'm a liberal. Just because I'm against abortion does not mean I'm a conservative. Just because I support capital punishment does not mean I am a conservative. I do not like to tie myself to any political group. What I am is a Palestinan Muslim.

I said that I usually argue against Liberals, Neo-Nazis and Muslims. I don't see you as a libereal or Neo-Nazi, but as a Muslim. The liberals are the ones who foolishly believe that the Jews are equally the cause of the conflict and they are all in favor of any program that gets Muslims and Jews together in peace.

The only peace the Muslims want is a peace where there are no free Jews.


=googs
I don't know why u would say that. I am grateful for this program and I hope for more but I don't see that happening especially since the program is intended for Israelie Arabs and Israelie Jews.

Excellent point, to find peace then a program for getting Muslims and Jews to live in peace would be needed on both Israel and Palestine.

Lets take a look at what the Palestines are doing to promote intergration between Muslims and Jews. Here are some excerpts from Palestine TV.

This is the transcript from a sweet looking little Palestine girl.
"We ask that the countries stand by our side. We want them to help us. We only want them to give us weapons. We on our own - young boys and girls, will kill them on our own. Murder them, shoot all of them. Just give us weapons, the boys and the girls themselves; we will kill them all. We won't leave a single Jew. We won't leave a single Jew here."

Some examples of Palestine TV can be seen here. What could be more racist than to teach your children to hate and destroy a people because of their religion?

http://www.pmw.org.il/tv%20part3.html

I wasnt aware the program was only for Israeli Jews and Arabs,I hope the thing isnt turned into a political football by the Authoritys.

I wasnt aware the program was only for Israeli Jews and Arabs,I hope the thing isnt turned into a political football by the Authoritys.

It is for all religions:


But after a cousin brought her to the Arab-Jewish Community Center, Spiliopoulos, 19, said she had found a family. Now a pianist in the center's musical ensemble, Spiliopoulos said she valued the time spent with her Christian, Muslim and Jewish peers.

For people who want peace in the Middle East, they should start programs in both Palestine and Israel to promote multiculturism and tolerance. People who want war should promote hatred of multiculturism.

It is for all religions: For people who want peace in the Middle East, they should start programs in both Palestine and Israel to promote multiculturism and tolerance. People who want war should promote hatred of multiculturism.

When I said Israeli Jews, I didn't mean it in terms of religon only. I agree they should start programs in both Palestine and Israel. However, the children in these programs are only Israelies, whether they are Arabs or Jews.

Btw, What is a Jew? I know it is a person who is a follower of Judaism. But is also considered an ethnicity?

When I said Israeli Jews, I didn't mean it in terms of religon only. I agree they should start programs in both Palestine and Israel. However, the children in these programs are only Israelies, whether they are Arabs or Jews.

Btw, What is a Jew? I know it is a person who is a follower of Judaism. But is also considered an ethnicity?

My point exactly, Only Israelis are working to intergrate Jews, Muslims and Christians. Palestine only wants to villify, hate and kill the Jews. The do gooder liberals need to go to palestine and Israel to build centers for multicultural tolerance

As far as I know the only difference in the jews and the arabs is their religion but the Jews may have brought back a lot of Europeon blood after their time spent in Europe.

Palestians aren't able to do things like that. They don't have any money. And recently in Gaza, they don't have any power or electricity. I don't see them making these programs when they barely can afford their own families.

Palestians aren't able to do things like that. They don't have any money. And recently in Gaza, they don't have any power or electricity. I don't see them making these programs when they barely can afford their own families.

Palestines money comes from liberal nations, that money could be used to promote inter-religious tolerance. That would be the golden bullet that would bring peace in the middle east. The war is fueled by religious hatred, take that away and there could be two states living together in peace like so many twin cities in the world.

I don't think that that would be acceptable to the Palestines Because when Abbas made a somewhat peace deal with Israel, religious leaders from Iran and elsewhere said that the war to destroy Israel was Allah's command and no man had the right to sell land to Israel or make peace with them. The war will go as long as Muslims want to destroy Israel and that is forever or until Israel falls.

You don't seem as radical as so many Muslims I have debated. You just don't seem to fit the mold.

Firstly,its easy to sit in Iran and talk about a problem 1000 miles away.Palestinians are becoming more convinced that a settlement is required with Isreal,the onus is on the Isrealis,as they are the stronger of the 2.

Firstly,its easy to sit in Iran and talk about a problem 1000 miles away.Palestinians are becoming more convinced that a settlement is required with Isreal,the onus is on the Isrealis,as they are the stronger of the 2.

If Palestine was the stronger of the two, there would be no conflict because the main problem would be solved, there would be no Israel.

Thats a maybe.Theres no victory to be had in this conflict,the only answer is an agreement between both sides.

Thats a maybe.Theres no victory to be had in this conflict,the only answer is an agreement between both sides.

Exactly, this is what sane people want. However Hamas anounces to the world that they will fight until Israel is gone.

Exactly, this is what sane people want. However Hamas anounces to the world that they will fight until Israel is gone.
This brings me back to why I think Hamas being elected was a good thing,they werent elected because of their policy of destroying Isreal,they were elected as a protest vote towards Fatah.This has put Hamas in the difficult position of having to represent the Palestinian people,unwittenly the electorate have called their bluff,as a result they now have to try negoiate with Isreal,or admit they dont represent the Palestinian people,the only other 'get out' possability for them is an Isreali invasion leading to extreme violence,that may very well be happening at present,ie,as regards the soldier,and,even tho I have no love for them,I have to admit,that with the Isreali restraint up to now,this situation may have crossed their minds also.

I think its great.

You on the other hand are obviously a hate-filled old nutter.

Funny how you accuse Goog and I of not being bale to see this as positive.then the second she responds you post a divicive and hateful post. Quite telling indeed.

I have condemned the killings on both sides and have called for an end to the hate. You on the other hand generally call for the killig of more Palistinians. Quite telling indeed.

And there are many Palistinain Christians (i figured I'd remind you since you always seem to label them as muslims).

This program is about the only thing that ever will stop the violence. The current generations (as a whole) are to enbroiled and scarred. Children without any interaction with "the agressor" only see said scars and wish to avenge their parents against the ones who hurt them. Allowing and encouraging the 2 sides to intermingle is really the only solution to allow them to see people as individuals and human beings.