Seeds of Peace

"SOP has created a great network of people. It changes the way you act and communicate. It influenced which colleges I went to. It influences the way I do my job. History has shown what one man or one woman can do. Perhaps people from SOP will become powerful enough one day to change things."

"Camp with SOP is a unique experience. It really changes you. I look at people differently now. Camp makes you see people as they really are, not according to what people tell you."

"I chat everyday on the computer with my SOP friends. We talk about personal things as well as difficult issues like the conflict. We can’t run away from reality. But I’m sure camp has changed lots of people. It certainly has changed the way I think."

"SOP helped me to meet a lot of people and find out about their point of view. We got to know each other as individuals. So I changed my mindset about Israelis and the conflict."

"At camp, with SOP, you spend three weeks with people you consider your enemy. That really changes your perspective… Israeli and Palestinian seeds end up developing really strong relationships."

"Teachers at my school asked us to say the first word that crosses our mind when we hear the word 'Palestinian'. Some said terrorists. Some said neighbors. I said 'FRIENDS'."

"Sometimes, I don’t think my friends and teachers are right about something and I imagine I’m still at camp and tell them what I think. Today, I had a discussion with one of my teachers and I think perhaps I convinced him. SOP teaches you to negotiate."

"Before SOP, I didn’t think the situation could be changed by negotiation but now I think it’s possible. Before SOP, I thought it would be impossible to co-exist but now I think it’s possible, if both sides are willing."

"One of the first things you learn at SOP is to listen. You have discussions about the conflict but you also learn to live together and respect people who have different views and come from different backgrounds."

"I am so happy at Seeds of Peace. I have met so many people here and they're from many cultures. And, when I go back to my country, I want to teach the peace."

"Camp felt like home. It felt comfortable. I knew it wasn’t going to last so I tried to take advantage of every minute. We lived with Jordanians, Egyptians, Israelis, Americans… We forgot about nationalities. We talked and we were just friends."