Arab Students in Israel Speak: What is Peace?

Christian, Druze and Muslim students in Israel (ages 11-18) were asked to define “Peace” in their words. Here are their answers. For similar posts with Jewish students in Israel see here, and from Palestinian students in Gaza see here.

Peace:

B: Peace is freedom.

A: When there is no war and all the countries will compete in sports competitions together.

S: Instead of violence between people there is stability and security.

A: Everything good. 

S: Living in peace, with safety, love, respect, and life without war.

M: I dream about a world without war. I hope there is no hate between people. I hope that every person wishes the best to one another and helps each other and loves one another.

A: Peace is a healthy relationship between people and two countries.

L: Peace is a beautiful, secure life in which there is no fear and anxiety about the future. Peace means love, closeness and a happy life free of wars and children’s fear.

T: Peace means different things to different people and cultures. But in my own words Peace means living our lives selflessly and treating others with respect.

M: Peace is a word that indicates love and safety between people. No fear or violence, but respect and protection for people.

A: Love and accepting the other.

R: Peace for me is humanity first, because if humanity is present, hatred disappears and people live together with love. I hope that peace prevails for everyone and that wars disappear.

A: Peace is: when all the countries will be tolerant with each other and when there is no war.

N: For me peace means no war in the world and peace among people.

M: Peace be upon me. Peace is to live in security Security is general freedom among all the people in the world and freedom to express opinion. Peace is inner peace. For man to be reconciled with his fellow man.

R: Peace is when all the countries stop fighting.

H: People are happy and people feel safe; they are not scared. Pupils go to school, parents go to work. We are free, and people can go anywhere they want.

S: Peace is a situation of calm and safety for all the people around the world.

A: When I think of peace, I think of the dove and the branches of the olive tree. I imagine a beautiful world, but politics runs the world so far, and peace depends on the world’s leaders. But we can change that. We the kids of today will be the adults of the future, so we have a responsibility to bring peace and prevent wars.

T: Stability, safety, reassurance, love between countries. 

N: Peace for me, means that there is Peace between all countries, there are no wars, all people love each other, and there is no violence among them.

N: Forgiving and Accepting others. 

R: No wars. The people are good.

J: What do I think about peace? That is an unusual question as I think more about it peace is something that is difficult to receive. If war ends and we are free to go wherever we want. Why can’t this happen? If people will not be aggressive and evil any more this could be real. We can’t control minds but if teachers at school or parents at home around the world taught kindness, love and that we will be one team to save the planet, the world, the universe, then peace could come true as, if it is a dream. 

O: Everyone living with no crimes or war or anything like that.

M: Peace is security and goodness for humans and the world.

K: Peace is a state of stability and reassurance that society and individuals experience and the individual enjoys. He enjoys all his rights, duties and obligations without pressure or coercion.

R: Quietness.

A: No wars.

R: No wars. No violence and People love each other.

L: Peace means people love, accept and respect each other. Countries are in good relationships.