Today in Focus The Palestinian and Israeli kids trying to be friends
Oct 13, 2025
In Cyprus, Israeli and Palestinian teens gather at a unique peace camp aimed at fostering friendship. Campers share personal stories, confront fears, and express hopes, despite facing societal backlash for their participation. They bond through icebreaker activities, revealing the impact of grief and loss on their lives. Discussions about differences in daily life under occupation highlight their struggles. The journey of reconciliation isn't easy, but the shared goal of acknowledging mutual pain brings them closer to the possibility of peace.
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A Cousin’s Death Sparked A Bridge
- Ibrahim arrived at the camp having only known Israelis as soldiers and found that meeting peers changed his view.
- He remembers his cousin Jihad being shot on a roof and says the camp motivated him to share that story for change.
Grandparents Killed On October 7th
- Dor described waking to news of terrorists crossing from Gaza and learning his grandparents had been killed and their house burned.
- He says seeing their burned house on TV and knowing their bodies were there was devastating.
Contact Shapes Perception Deeply
- Many Palestinian teens' only contact with Israelis are soldiers at checkpoints, which shapes mutual prejudice.
- The camp shows that shared activities and storytelling can dismantle these simplistic, dehumanising views.