Football Village of Hope 2009

Over 100 Palestinian and Israeli children came together this week for the “Football Village of Hope” camp, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, building lasting friendships, and creating a new generation of youth advocates for peace.

The children, aged 10 – 12, from underprivileged communities in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, played, learned, and lived together—enjoying football, swimming and other sports, educational and cultural activities, and peace education workshops.

The camp’s comfortable, fun, and leisurely setting creates conditions in which it is possible to replace animosity and negative stereotypes with friendship and mutual respect.

“We won’t forget this camp. We didn’t know anything about Israeli children, but now, after this encounter, we got to know them more as people and human beings. We can live together!”, said Kusai, an 11 year-old boy from Jericho in the Palestinian Authority.

Kusai’s sentiments were echoed by Liron, 12, from the southern Israeli town of Kiryat Gat:
“When I came to the camp, I didn’t think I would get along with Arabs, but in the end it worked out. I played soccer with them and it was fantastic!”

In its second year, the camp is run jointly by the Sports Department of the Peres Center for Peace (Israeli), together with the Al-Quds Association of Democracy and Dialogue (Palestinian).

The campers were led by a mixed team of Israeli and Palestinian coaches and counselors, providing a positive role model to the youngsters.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids to meet ‘the other side’ and to work together on the common goal of a better future," said Anwar Zeidan, the head Palestinian coach.

In addition, the children were coached by professional coaches from the Football Association of Ireland, and visited the training ground of Israel’s Premier League champions Maccabi Haifa, and met the players.

About the Football Village of Hope
Football Village of Hope is organized by Milo Corcoran, former President of the Football Association of Ireland, current Chairman of the FAI's International Committee and by Ophir Zardok, former manager of at Drogheda United FC.The Village of Hope is funded by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Irish Aid programme and is supported by Minister Michéal Martin and his predecessor in the Department, Minister Dermot Ahern.