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Middle East Background

In June of 2005, PeacePlayers International initiated a year-round program in Israel and the West Bank (PPI-ME) that facilitates positive dialogue and fosters tolerance and multiculturalism between Jewish and Arab youth and young adults. The program involves two main components. First, PeacePlayers International engenders meaningful interaction between Arab and Jewish children in Israel and the West Bank through joint basketball activities and life skills sessions which take place regularly throughout the entire school year. Second, PPI-ME operates a single identity program in the West Bank that provides constructive outlets for children and employment and leadership opportunities for young Palestinian adults. All initiatives are created with input from the local communities who work with PPI Program Directors and local coaches to build specialized programming.

Program Activity

Since September 2005, PeacePlayers International has:

  • Worked with more than 2,000 children
  • Trained and employed over 70 adults from both sides as coaches, mentors and leaders
  • Established sixteen joint basketball clubs that provide opportunities for regular interaction for Jewish, Israeli Arab and Palestinian children
  • Developed “BasketPal” programs in the West Bank cities of TulKarm and Jericho
  • Implemented teambuilding and leadership activities into all programming

Program activities include:

  • Twinned Basketball Clubs – a network of youth basketball clubs in which Israeli Jewish, Israeli Arab and Palestinian children play together on integrated teams under the guidance of a diverse group of coaches. All players and coaches partake in weekly peace education workshops.
  • Leadership Development Program – youth leadership and training program that equips Israeli and Arab young adults with the skills needed to make a positive difference in their communities and on the lives of the children with whom they work.
  • “Basket Pal” – programs aim to build capacity and infrastructure in underprivileged areas of the West Bank. Weekly practice sessions and games provide constructive outlets for these at-risk children. PPI-ME trains young adults in these communities to serve as role models and mentors.
  • Camps – summer basketball camps in Israel at which children compete on mixed teams and participate in a variety of teambuilding activities and peace education workshops.