PR: Conference on Arab Israeli peace

For Immediate Release Contact: Deanna Armbruster 856-235-6200October 17, 2006 deanna@oasisofpeace.org

Israel-Palestine: Long Term Prospects for Peaceful

Coexistence Washington, D.C. - In recognition of 35 years of Israel's only intentionally integrated Jewish-Arab village, the American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam hosts discussion.Roundtable Discussion and Luncheon"Israel-Palestine: Long Term Prospects for Peaceful Coexistence"Friday, October 20th, 2006, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Katzen Art Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Speakers include: Sara Ehrman, First Policy Advisor for AIPAC; Hon. Samuel Lewis, Former Ambassador to Israel; Aaron David Miller, Former U.S. Middle East Negotiator; Robert Satloff, Executive Director, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Kalil Jashn, Pepperdine University and Former vice president, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; Shibley Telhami, Professor for Peace and Development, University of Maryland and General Brent Scowcroft, Former National Security Advisor to the President. Musical Guest: Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary.

General Brent Scowcroft says, "Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is an inspiration. It is a reminder that peace in the Middle East can be achieved by people of goodwill and vision. The spirit of tolerance and habit of cooperation that it helps to foster are key ingredients to a lasting peace."Ambassador Richard Murphy says, "Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam has persevered when so many others have faltered in maintaining its vision of peace and instilling it where it counts most, among the young."

Special Guests: Ahmad Hijazi & Ohad Bar Shalom, of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam."I wanted my children to grow up not knowing there is a difference between Jews and Arabs," said Ahmad Hijazi, who came to the village as a teenage participate of School for Peace workshops."Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam represents something very different for Israel. It is a place based on true equality for both sides. It is what Israel should look like," said Ohad Bar Shalom.

Neve Shalom, in Hebrew or Wahat al-Salam, in Arabic, the "Oasis of Peace"

The only community in Israel where Jews and Arabs have chosen to live, work, and educate their children together since 1972. It has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is home to Israel's first integrated bilingual, binational Primary School and an internationally renowned conflict management program at the School for Peace.American Friends of Neve Shalom/ Wahat al-SalamThe American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a U.S. not-for-profit organization dedicated to dialogue, cooperation and a genuine and durable peace between Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis by encouraging, supporting and publicizing the projects of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, the "Oasis of Peace." (www.oasisofpeace.org)

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