BY LORETTA WALDMAN | A group of Arab and Israeli boys got a taste of peace here yesterday—at a pizza party thrown in their honor.
While ancient tensions simmered and planes strafed their homelands, the delegation of teen-age ambassadors drank sodas, got acquainted and clowned for the camera at the kick-off event for “Seeds of Peace”.
The privately funded program was dreamed up by author-journalist John Wallach to promote understanding and peace in the Middle East.
“The idea is to get the next generation to make friendships that will endure, that will make a difference,” Wallach said as he hustled the rowdy 11- to 14-year-old boys into the Dolce Restaurant on East 49th Street. “It’s the only way to stop the terrorism and the hate.”
The 46 kids, who arrived on different days, met each other for the first time at the party. Events planned in the next month include a welcome today at Gracie Mansion from Mayor Dinkins.
In New York they will attend a Giants game, two plays, the United Nations and Planet Hollywood.
Their stay will include two weeks at a Maine summer camp, baseball in Baltimore and a visit with President Clinton in Washington.