Seeds of Peace
Hundreds of Seeds have their voices heard around the world in the bi-monthly publications of the Olive Branch. Since 1996, Seeds of Peace has been producing The Olive Branch as a means for Seeds to sustain communication and share experiences with each other and their communities throughout the school year. The Olive Branch is a magazine researched, written, edited and produced by Seeds of Peace alumni. With over 50 alumni contributing to each issue, the newspaper actively involves a significant percentage of the graduates. The Olive Branch is a serious, newsworthy magazine that allows the Seeds alumni to react to current events, share experiences, and maintain open and active dialogue. The newspaper also serves as a forum for alumni to describe visits and presentations they have made, while providing space for creative submissions such as art or poetry.
The magazine addresses current issues and “hot topics,” ranging from the impact of September 11th on America and the world at large to debating closures in Israel. In the past, Seeds have interviewed such distinguished policymakers as Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Bassiouny, and Israeli Finance Minister and former Likud Party Knesset Leader Meir Sheetrit.
The Olive Branch guarantees freedom of expression for all Seeds of Peace alumni and their extreme range of experience and opinions, from Palestinians living in refugee camps to military soldiers sharing their perspectives on the Intifada, to Albanian and Macedonian Seeds depicting the war sweeping the Balkans, to Indians and Pakistanis intensely debating Kashmir, and to all Seeds voicing their feelings regarding September 11th. Many of our Seeds come from countries where their voices are quelled rather than encouraged. It is only here that these future leaders find the support needed to speak out and be heard. They unite to form a common voice protesting their realities, and in doing so, learn the power they have to reach people and create change. They express themselves as journalists, poets, artists, but always as Seeds, committed to embracing humanity rather than war. They are creating on-going, tangible proof that it is possible to express one’s feelings openly and honestly while sparking healthy, constructive dialogue.
Perhaps most importantly, they are spreading the message of peace and coexistence where it is most needed. The Olive Branch serves as an outreach vehicle to others in the region who are not able to attend the camp but who wish take part in the establishment of peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Arabs. Contributors to the magazine often give voice to the concerns and opinions of their communities. Parents and city officials, most recently the Mayor of Haifa, write articles expressing their unique perspectives and involvement in the quest for peace. The Olive Branch exposes Seeds of Peace to thousands beyond our alumni network, as it is currently distributed (by request) to schools in the region and abroad, youth groups, and religious institutions.