On December 25, I attended Mifalot’s Know your Neighbor Winter Tournament held at the Wolfson training compound in Tel Aviv. The tournament brought 300 children from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan together to play football. The kids ranged in age from 7 to 13 and came from areas such as Jericho, Tul Karem,Tueina, Um El Kheir and Susya, Dir Abu Said, Sheikh Hussein and North Shuna.

 

During the tournament, I had the opportunity to kick the football around with a group of Palestinian children from Jericho. Although there was a language barrier between their Arabic and my English, we were able to communicate through football. Many times in my life football has enabled me to meet people from various backgrounds and form new friendships. Whether it was playing on diverse teams or traveling overseas, football was a key to meeting new people.

 

During the tournament, I was able to witness a genuine cohesiveness among the children. Watching the children playing mixed together made me feel that there is hope for a peaceful future in this region. While politics are often a roadblock for peace, this tournament and other programs that Mifalot organizes, have the potential to make a significant impact in uniting these people.

 

Silvan Shalom, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Cooperation, came to speak about the event at the tournament’s Closing Ceremony. He emphasized the notion that children are the real chance for peace,and they have the ability to make change in our society. In addition, he noted that the ministry believes in the children and trusts in them, which is why the Ministry of Regional Cooperation decided to support Mifalot’s initiative forsocial change.

 

As the ceremony concluded, the kids had a chance to take a picture with Silvan Shalom. All the children welcomed Silvan Shalom with open arms, as they were eager to be photographed with him and the football he was holding.

 

Mifalot ultimately believes that the people participating in these programs are the hope for the future of this region. I am extremely grateful to be part of this innovative project and to assist Mifalot in their passionate work on and off the football field.