Saturday there was a peace gathering between members of Marching together to a Shared Future and Servas Israel, in the community center of the Moslem Arab village of Iksal near Nazareth.

The many participants – almost 100 people – received a warm welcome from representatives and members of the community. The nearby roads were filled with cars, smiles and greetings of Shalom, Salam and happy smiles were shared by all.

After coffee and refreshments, we entered a large hall where representatives of Iksal – Yiad Nagar and Phahim Nadaf Darvasha gave a brief description of their village and its community activities.

Following was a description of Marching Together movement, presented by representatives Asher Ben and Salach Greefat, and a slideshow about Servas's open doors to the world, presented by the organization’s National Secretary in Israel, Claudia Sagie.

Servas friend from the Druze village of Buqata in Golan Heights, Akab Abo-Shaheen, also spoke some greeting and welcoming words.

There was musical show including two village youth who played on an Oud and sang a traditional song in Arabic.

Avner Reshef, Servas youth member, played peace songs on violin and, finally, the community center's dance youth troupe treated us to a performance of a Debka dance.

Servas member, Meir Hayoun, lead the participants in the song Salam.

Later Orit Gelbman, a young singer, inspired the audience with her lovely voice singing arousing songs of peace.

The message of the gathering was to promote tolerance and co-existence between all the inhabitants of our country, Jews and Arabs alike. Peace starts from within ourselves, inner peace and shines outwards to include family, friends and neighbors.

An enjoyable morning was had by all and hopefully a pathway was opened to more interaction and initiatives between the various communities living in Israel.

Many thanks to the village of Iksal, their community center and their representatives for welcoming us in their midst. Thanks to the activists of Marching together to a Shared Future and to Shimon Sneh, Amira Ben-Mordechai and Claudia Sagie from Servas Israel for organizing this event.

Lesley Hayoun, Servas Israel