Peace and reconciliation through Rugby in Israel

The peace and reconcilliation programme has continued to progress since its successful coexistence session in Februrary. Following the long-awaited day, project leaders and children are embracing differences more and more everyday and most importantly, respecting, understanding, and enjoying time with eachother. 

Many areas of Israel, including Tel Aviv where the programme initially established, is unfortunately bothered by religious conflict and the children are taught to fear or hate those of different faiths and beliefs than their own. Through the rugby programme, we aim to support children come to an understanding of different religions, encouraging cooperation on and off the field and helping the children to foster meaningful connections and friendships. 

Rugby is proving to be a wonderful vehicle for this, harnessing the values of 'rivals on the pitch and friends off the pitch' to help children understand the fear they have is of the unknown, working closely to create mutual understanding and friendships. 

In a recent training session, an Arab child accidently tripped a Jewish child as he was going for the try-line. Very quick to rush over and extend a hand as an apology, the Arab child made sure the other child was okay, and the Jewish child welcomed the sportive gesture and reassured him he was fine. 

Small sporting gestures have been increasing amongst the children and are starting to manifest into bigger and more meaningful relations off the pitch. There is still ways to go, but we are delighted to see the progress and are hopeful as we continue to expand that more children can be exposed and embrace differences, rather than fear it.