I had imagined that
the day would come when I’d meet my so called “enemies” who want to kill us so
that they can have their way.
Three days ago I met
these so called “enemies” of ours.
They weren’t really our enemies.
I realized that they share our worries.
They have the
same problems as we do.
I also got to know
other cultures. And I’ve
discovered that they too have the same concerns.
During these 4 days I
realized that people are people everywhere, either they are Turks, Greeks,
Palestinians or Jews. I’ve realized
that there are no barbarians.
There are
dictatorial and brutal regimes which give out this impression about people.
The situation here in Cyprus is absurd because even though
I’ve met my Turkish-Cypriot friends I can’t go to visit them freely.
The only thing that I
wish for is that one day all people will be able to live freely with the people
they love and care for.
In order to succeed
in that, we need to struggle, we need to have strength. We will make it though, because
anything which is worthwhile is gained with difficulty
and pain.
My name is Louis
Hadjithomas. I participated in the
4-day project of the Youth Institute and I am deeply touched to have been able
to get in touch with my brothers and sisters the Turkish-Cypriots, our Israeli
friends and Palestinian friends.
It has really been a
unique experience for me, because I was given the opportunity to see places in
the occupied part of my country. I
must confess that they became dear to me from the first moment I stepped foot
there.
I realized that there
are people all over the world who want peace and this gives me courage to
continue with the effort for the reunification of my country. Watching the Israeli and Palestinian
friends being so friendly to each other I realized that the games that some
people want to play behind our backs are not going to succeed.
I hope for peace to
come all over the world and that guns and enemies will disappear so that we can
live in peace.
Finally, I’d like to
thank Amos Davidowitz and the Youth Institute for
having given
me this opportunity to review my whole life.
My participation in
this program will be something that I will remember for a long time. I have been given the opportunity to
live what we talk about and feel every day. Getting to know closer the comrades from Israel, Palestine
and especially the Turkish-Cypriots has moved me deeply. Even though we met briefly, the feeling
that we can live together without having problems is even stronger now.
We must set an example
for all and I hope that others will follow our example so that we can solve the
problems in our country. The
program must be continued and broadened in a way that more people could
participate.
My
name is Einav Azaria , born in Israel in 1974. A “graduate” of military service
in the occupied territories ( Judea, Samaria and Gaza ). I am active now for
about a year in Dor Shalom.
I
joined the Yaari project about half a year ago. We have done a few projects
together that the high point was a joint seminar in Cyprus. I will not expand
on the itinerary of the seminar but will pinpoint how my attitudes
towards the Palestinian and Arab communities was improved.
· As a soldier who fought the
Palestinians I discovered that “ there is someone to talk with” on the other
side.
· As a young person I
understand that both nations have a joint future, maybe even together.
· These meetings have
reinforced and strengthened me as a youth & adult leader on the path to
peace.
After
this seminar I feel a bit more optimistic. I have no doubts that the “people to
people” approach is where we need an emphasis. People make peace not leaders
therefore we need to continue to narrowing the gaps in the hearts of people.
I
hope the project continues.
General:
this joint venture proved to be unbelievable. I had no previous knowledge of
the Greek-Turkish conflict in Cyprus so for me it was an entirely new topic.
The fact that a mixed group of Israelis (Jews and Arabs) along with the
representatives from the PNA had to learn about the Cypriot conflict from stage
one was enlightening for us as well as our island hosts. Our questions were
influenced, with no doubt, by our experience with an ongoing conflict of our
own. The process of “comparing”
notes between us proved to be extremely successful in that it offered
new angles of perspective of both
conflicts. It seems that the experience accumulated by the different
individuals of both “groups” was most valuable when presented in open
conversation and discussions.
Action: Yet
again it was proved that the best means in which to “connect” to groups of a
different nature, is by joint social or environmental activities. The well
planned activities, on the Turk side of the island as well as the Greek were
heart warming. Seeing Greek Cypriots so intent on cleaning up the abandoned
Muslim cemetery and the Turkish Cypriots so keen on the repairing of the looted
Greek cemetery is worth a thousand words and voiced intentions.
I
am proud to have been part of this making of history.
As
a Turkish Cypriot it is the first time I have seen the south region of my
land. I felt luckier than the
other teenagers, because a lot of people know the Greek Cypriots as bad people,
but they’re wrong because the Greek Cypriots are just like us. When we shared many things, I noticed
that many of our thins were the same - our culture, our words and our country
is common.
I
want to point out that I was very happy being together with my brothers, and
these four days were the best thing that happened in my whole life.
I
believe these type of organizations should become continuous and this
organization can lead a pathway to peace.
It
isn’t the first time that I have met with a Greek Cypriot It has been the 3rd or 4th
time. But this time we were
together for a much more longer period and we had the opportunity to share many
things. It was a very delightful
atmosphere.
I
went through very different emotions.
For example, when we went to Potamia I felt very emotional when I saw
the Turks living there, because they were living together with the Greeks in
that village. This should be the
evidence that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together.
The
second thing that made me emotional was that I heard that we (both communities)
had the same culture, food, etc., but this time I saw our similarities. We use a lot of the same words. We can understand what we are saying
with the common mimics. It was
very lovely.
I
will never forget the things that I lived in the four days.
The Cyprus Youth
Institute project is a unique and daring concept to gather four nations who
almost have the same conflict reasons.
The project taught us
how to listen to others and try to understand them by working together. It emphasizes communications - talking,
exchanging ideas, we were able to realize that we can sit and work together
peacefully, joking, laughing simply just having fun together with no
hatred. I would like to
thank the Youth Institute for it’s peace efforts around the world. Most of the activities that took place
made me realize that we can live in peace. I hope that one day the universe will be the same - all of us are treated as people, having the same rights despite their
nationality.
I would like to say
that I’m glad to know that there are Israeli young people who really want
peace, and are ready to talk to us Palestinians. I hope that more young people get engaged in peace
activities.