Peace and reconciliation through Rugby in Israel

Israel is a country bountiful in history, beauty and culture. It is also a place where many children grow-up living within a culture of fear of those from other faiths and races. 

Working closely with Israel Rugby, Atlas is working with young people to change this. Encouraging coexistence within the education system, Israel Rugby and Atlas are presenting rugby and its value to minority children in the system, bringing closer Jewish, Druze and Arab children through national and regional tag rugby tournaments. The rugby values of fierce opposition on the pitch and strong fellowship off the pitch are being utilised to teach the children the importance of co-existence, working closely with them to understand and respect different backgrounds, skills, and cultures. By increasing the children’s capacity to respect and even celebrate difference, Israel Rugby is reducing the impact of religious tensions on the children and enabling them to build a different future for themselves and their communities. 

The Peace and Reconnciliation through Rugby programme has continued its success, reaching children across 12 schools for the 3 monthly joint activities. The children's long-term friendships are flourishing and an understanding between different faiths are forming. The children are no long just tolerating each other, but accepting each other.

Funds have recently been allocated to start up the coexistence programme in Haifa and Tel Aviv which have been successful so. As funds continue to be distributed, the programme is on track to have 4-5 coexistence programmes run nationally by 2024.

Thank for all your support in funding this expansion and helping these children to feel free in their faith while living near other faiths.