September 22, 2010, Updated September 24, 2012
International peace sign outside Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa

Jewish, Arab and Palestinian children form a peace sign together to mark the International Day of Peace outside the Peres Center for Peace on Jaffa beach, on September 21.

The Peres Center for Peace marked the International Day of Peace yesterday with events at the Peres Peace House on Jaffa beach.

The UN declared International Day of Peace in 1981 and it is marked annually around the world with activities and ceremonies.

The Peres Center marks the day by promoting its work with its partnering Palestinian organizations. Hundreds of Israeli Jewish and Arab families, children and young people, as well as Palestinian families and children involved in Peres Center projects and initiatives attended yesterday’s event, which was open to the general public, free of charge.

Activities for families and children included drumming circles, arts and crafts activities, sports games, a show entitled New Beginnings that has both a Jewish and Arab cast, planting ‘peace trees,’ and a break-dance workshop.

In addition there were performances by leading Israeli bands including Hadag Nahash, Groove Redemption, Daniella Spektor and others, an arts fair of Palestinian artists, olive oil tastings, an ‘inner-peace’ area, discussion circle, a photography exhibition entitled Frames of Reality by Palestinian and Israeli documentary photographers, and more.

All participants in the day’s events were volunteers, committed to the message: We are united for peace.

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