Israelis, Lebanese engage and change,
in Middle
East and
Monday, 21 May
2007
"We are the music makers,
and we are the dreamers of the dreams."
CREATE FRIENDSHIP, MUSIC TOGETHER
It seems that one
of the first peaceful dialogues to follow the Second
Two heavy metal bands, one Israeli and the
other Lebanese, met online and joined forces to perform a new song -- Everything
We Are.
"Obviously, the song deals with the last war
between
"It speaks about the silent majority around the
world that does nothing while extremists spread their ideals of hatred and
violence," Kfir Gov, leader of the Israeli band,
Seek Irony told Ynet.
HEAR Everything We Are at http://www.myspace.com/seekirony
.
The relationship between the two bands started
before the war broke, on http://myspace.com.
The Israeli musicians got a message saying
"Good Luck, Keep it up! From your neighbors in
They thought it was "really cool of them"
and were excited to find out that there was a metal band in
So they replied, saying, '"hanks a lot, stay in touch, from your neighbors in
They stayed in touch and when the war broke out became
closer because they chatted on instant messenger everyday.
They talked about going on a joint European tour together, or a joint show somewhere neutral.
Or maybe have the two bands perform at the same time
in each country.
Quickly discovering the impossibility of logistics,
they began considering a joint song.
"We are simply musicians," says Kfir, "that's why we decided to use music to try
and help bring the two sides closer together.
I think it's ironic that by using a common
denominator as simple as music, Rab and I have found
a way to create a normal, reasonable dialog across the border, while our
leaders, who are actually the ones responsible for finding the solution for
this crisis, have failed and are having a hard time doing so themselves.
Rab and I communicated
throughout the war and it was incredible to see the Lebanese' perspective.
We believe that giving politicians sole
responsibility is part of the problem, especially the kind of politicians
that are leading these countries nowadays.
We're calling people on both sides to speak up and
express their opinion, because it is our duty.
We call on people to stop spreading the extreme
preaching of hate and violence.
"Real open discussion is the only way to
resolve the conflict and actualize each of our goals and interests."
"The main message is clear: 'People, open
your eyes! Do not live the lies youre being told.' To
show that we all can live together in peace only if we want to,
and the song is the proof."
Rab, the Lebanese musician,
was asked if his opinion of each others countries changed?
"It has drastically changed.
"Since the day I was born, I was told we were
enemies; I never thought I could have an Israeli friend.
"I discovered that were not really enemies
like I was told."
READ the full story:
Published by YNetNews
-- 13 May 2007
On the Web http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3397845,00.html
Metal
will bring peace
by Ronen Tsumer
LEBANESE, ISRAELI
STUDENTS
NEW FRIENDS, DELIVER SHARED
N.Y.U. GRADUATION SPEECH
An Israeli
Jew and a Lebanese Arab were among this 2007 years graduates who overcame
personal hardship and thrived during their school years together at
Rayan Houdrouge is son of a Shia Muslim
Lebanese from the southern
Omer Granit is a Jewish
Israeli who served with the Israeli Defense Force in southern
He lost many of his friends in violence involving
Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians.
The two began their studies at NYUs
School of Law during the most recent conflict between
Their backgrounds and personal experiences -- the loss
of family and friends during the fighting -- would seemingly put them at odds.
Yet, they became
friends at NYU, to their own surprise.
Even more, Rayan Houdrouge ( RH1062@nyu.edu ) and
Omer Granit ( OmerG@nyu.edu ) are now in the process
of establishing an initiative to promote peace between
READ their inspiring commencement speech,
during which they rotated parts, at:
SEE
the full story at:
Israeli-Lebanese
peace achieved at NYU
After losing friend in battle
during summer war,
Israeli law student forms
unlikely friendship with Lebanese
student
whose relatives were wounded by IDF fire.
The two give graduation speech
at NYU, saying dialogue is still possible
Published in YNet
-- Monday, 14 May 2007
http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3399570,00.html
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"There are those who 'cross the Jordan' and seek out truth
through a different experience from the one they are born to,
and theirs is the greatest struggle...For here is the real conflict
by which we move to manhood and maturity.
"...Unless we know how to embrace 'the other', we are not men,
and our nationhood is willful and adolescent.
Those who struggle through the turbulent
beyond the glib definition of politics or religion.
"The rest remain standing on either bank, firing guns at one
another."