Recent Updates

"Before it's too late: moving from protest to persistent activity": NSWAS mobilizes Israeli and Palestinian NGOs

On July 22, 2010 Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam organized a major conference, “Before its too late: Moving from protest to persistent activity”, which brought together some 90 activists from a broad spectrum of Arab and Jewish organizations dealing with human rights and peace activities.

The first part of the conference included presentations that highlighted both the siege on Gaza following the flotilla incident, and the erosion of human rights and democratic freedom in the country and the Occupied Territories. The second part gave the participants the opportunity to propose ideas for a joint Jewish-Arab initiatives for change.

Before it's too late Conference working group

Before it's too late Conference audience

Young People who grew up in "Oasis of Peace" visit Chautauqua Institute, NY

Maram Higazi and Omer Schwartz grew up in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam. Today, Maram is a nursing student at the Hebrew University and Omer is studying film at Tel Aviv University. In July, they are visiting the Chautauqua Institute in New York discussing daily life in the "Oasis of Peace" and dialoguing with hundreds about Jewish-Arab relations. They joined esteemed activist, professor and author Galia Golan for a public dialogue on current relations in Israel.

You can find an article about their visit on the Chautauquan Daily website. You can also watch them as they address the Chautauquan audience on our video page.

Maram Higazi, Omer Schwartz, Hanan Ashrawi, Galia Golan and Teny Pirri-Simonian

Maram Higazi, Hanan Ashrawi, Teny Pirri-Simonian, Galia Golan and Omer Schwartz

New Tour to Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam

The American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam will be co-hosting a tour to Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam from October 10th – 14th, 2010, organized by the British Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam.

This visit to the Oasis of Peace will give you a chance to learn more about the residents and the programs. The tour will include meetings with experts and residents, and visits of various sites. Learn more here.

Friendship Library Opening

Happy Health World Peace
Library NSWAS

Made possible by the generosity of Mr. Fred Segal, the Friendship Library will be inaugurated this April in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam.The Library will be a unique learning center combining field work and academia in peace and conflict resolution on an international scholarly level.

The library will facilitate opportunities for all peoples, regardless of nationality or religion, to come together and pursue research and studies in peace and reconciliation. Resources will be available in Arabic, Hebrew and English.

The Library was inaugurated on April 22, 2010. You can download a transcript of the opening ceremony and the press release.

Library Facilities and Programs

The peace library is able to accommodate up to 250 visitors a day.
The School for Peace is developing an MA Program in Peace and Conflict Studies with Tel-Aviv Jaffa College which will be taught from the library campus.
Multimedia collection of academic and popular literature about peace and conflict
Peace NGO Resource Center – a center for local and international activists and scholars
Conference venue. The library will host small-scale professional research conferences, seminars and workshops in peace studies and related fields.
Joint seminars and opportunities for academics and practitioners in the field of peace and conflict resolution.
Multi-use courtyard and amenities for groups and special events
Health & wellness books & classes ("the world is as we are"); workshops and seminars.
Fiction collection for local users, in Arabic, Hebrew, and English.
The library will serve the residents of the village and surrounding Jewish and Arab local communities.
The library will be a focal point for encouraging social interaction and meetings between residents of the community, Jews and Arabs.

Nava Sonnenschein receives "Woman of Courage" award from Diane Kelly

The Department of State’s Senior Policy Advisor on Global Women’s Affairs Diane Kelly presented the “Women of Courage” certificate to Nava Sonnenschein, co-founder of the School for Peace, in a moving ceremony in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam. The certificate recognizes Dr. Sonnenschein’s courage and tireless work in advocating for social change and coexistence. Ms. Kelly described Secretary of State Clinton’s commitment to women’s empowerment and paid tribute to the way women have overcome physical and psychological barriers to improve the status of women worldwide.

Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a World Vision Peacebuilding Award Finalist

Support the village's nomination by contributing a comment about Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam on the World Vision Award Board.

The Peacebuilding Award goes to an agency or organization that excels at integrating peacebuilding into relief, development or advocacy activities and mobilizing communities to build a durable peace.

The public is invited to actively participate in commenting on the finalists here. Public commenting will remain open for one month, closing on June 4, 2010. The International Awards Committee will use qualitative and quantitative tools to examine each of the finalist and review the public comments before they complete the selection process.

Please make sure to comment to support Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam by June 4th!