 It
is a typical scene. Two friends in their early twenties
are sitting at a coffee shop, drinking beverages while
talking and laughing over inside jokes and events from
the previous night. No bystander would have the
slightest notion that Laila Najjar, a Palestinian
Muslim, and Adi Frish, an Israeli Jew, should be mortal
enemies. As they effortlessly speak to each other in
both Arabic and Hebrew, one would think that the two
girls are oblivious to the fact that their two people
groups are involved in one of the most deep-rooted and
complicated conflicts in our world’s history.
Most Israelis see Palestinians not as friends but
rather potential human bombs preparing to kill innocent
civilians. This certainly is not the case based on Adi’s
behavior towards Laila. And despite the Palestinian
sentiment that their people are victims of oppression
inflicted by Israelis, Laila shows no signs of animosity
towards Adi. As the pictures of hatred and violence fill
media news time slots around the world on a daily basis
and as politicians spend countless hours and money
seeking solutions to the crisis, these two young girls
offer an image and an example representing hope and
peace.
"We have a very special friendship,” Laila says. “We are
like sisters. I know everything about Adi and she knows
everything about me.”
Our friendship does not depend on politics, but
rather on mutual respect for each other,” explains Adi.
One of the driving forces behind this friendship is the
Oasis of Peace (Neve Shalom in Hebrew, Wahat al-Salam in
Arabic), a small village situated midway between
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Oasis of Peace was jointly
established by Palestinians and Israelis, including the
two girls’ parents, in the 1970s as a place where the
two groups could live, work and raise their children
together. Over 50 families reside in the village, which
has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“We are one of a kind,” explains Adi. “We are not
segregated. We live and cooperate with each other. We
treat everyone as an equal.”
Laila and Adi were among the first children born in
the community and developed a close friendship when they
started kindergarten at the integrated primary school.
It is the only bilingual and bicultural school
recognized by Israel’s Ministry of Education.
“We learn about each other’s histories, cultures and
languages,” states Adi. “We understand each other’s
identities.” The best example of this can be seen
in the way that holidays are celebrated. Although
fundamentally and devoutly different in beliefs, Adi’s
family invites Laila over for Jewish holidays and
Laila’s family will in turn reciprocate for Arabic
holidays.
As the political conflict has intensified, the
friendship between Laila and Adi has grown closer,
partly due to the encounter workshops that are offered
as part of the educational system at the Oasis of Peace.
Students, both Israeli and Palestinian, are encouraged
by trained facilitators to examine each other’s opinions
and emotions and thus develop tools to manage conflict.
"Of course we have disagreements,” says Laila. “But
the best way to deal with problems is to speak about
them not with aggression but with openness and respect.”
 The
integrated primary school at Neve-Shalom, Wahat
al-Salam, Oasis of Peace. Treaties and political
negotiations have produced little results since the
outset of the conflict. With the recent failure of the
1993 Oslo Accords, the collapse of the 2000 Camp David
Summit and the stalling of the current roadmap to peace
designed by the United States, European Union, United
Nations and Russia, perhaps it is the ideas of two young
girls who have not yet completed their university
studies that truly offer us the framework to peaceful
coexistence.
For Laila, the way to peace is best exemplified in
the village by living, learning and dealing with
problems together. "To truly have peace, both
sides have to learn to relate to each other,” she says.
"We all are human beings,” Adi states. “We have to know
the other side better. We need to communicate and
listen.”
Adi currently works at a fitness club and has plans
of attending university in the near future. Her choice
of study would be communication between people, a
subject that would be useful for many in the region.
Laila studies jewelry design in Jerusalem and hopes
to return back to the Oasis of Peace to raise a family
while also promoting the ideals of the village.
“Everyone has dreams and we have accomplished our
dream of living in peace,” Laila says. “It is important
to spread the idea of the village to as many people as
possible.”
One can only imagine what the situation would be like
if Laila’s wish is fulfilled and the ideals of the Oasis
of Peace are prevalent throughout the entire region. If
this message is communicated, how many other young
Israeli Jews and Palestinian Muslims could be laughing
together over a drink instead of resting in graves.
 |
ADI FRISH PROFILE:
Birth: October 1, 1982
Neve Shalom, Wahat al-Salam, Oasis of Peace,
Israel
Best Moment: When my parents built an apartment
for me
Favorite Book: Someone to Run With
Favorite Film: Fifth Element |
 |
LAILA NAJJAR PROFILE:
Birth: September 24, 1983
Neve Shalom, Wahat al-Salam, Oasis of Peace,
Israel
Best Moment: The day I was accepted into the
university I am currently attending in Jerusalem
Favorite Book: Crazy About Laila
Favorite Film: Love Actually |
|
