Searching for Ultimate Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHldF7dBxfk
Currently in the Middle East there are disputes about territories,
religion, among other issues as well. These events, and continuous
political unrest has created social distance and tragic cultural
division. The Israeli- Palestinian conflicts have caused wars and
separation between the communities. David Barkan, formally the
Chief Executive Officer of the Ultimate Peace organization, has been a positive presence in Israe
since 2008. Located in Acco, Israel, ‘UP’ embodies the ideology that peace is learned through the
spirit of the game of ultimate frisbee. Its mission is to build a bridge of understanding and
friendship between youth who live in communities divided by conflict, using the
character-.building sport of Ultimate Frisbee and unification through competition as a tool. The
Ultimate Peace program is building a bright future for Israelis and Palestinians by bringing them
together so that they can mutually respect one another.
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been
a tragedy, a clash between one very
powerful, very convincing, very painful
claim over this land and another no less
powerful, no less convincing claim.”
Amos Oz
The problem that has created David Barkan’s organization is the Israel Palestine conflict. This
started after WWII when the UN decided to uproot thousands of Palestinians to create the
Jewish country called Israel. This created disharmony between Palestine and Israel. So
Palestinians and Arabs created war against Israel. This has created a large impact on the
children who are growing up in Israel and Palestine. Yasmen, an Ultimate Peace participant
claims that before she went to the camp, “ We [Palestinians and Jews] live completely
disconnected lives. We never talk, never interact, go to different schools, and are told that the
other wants to hurt or even kill us.”(Nelson, Jodi). The effect from the war has made it so kids
are scared of adults and each other. But this wouldn’t last long, because David Barkan came to
bring the kids together.