THE VICTOR J. GOLDBERG IIE PRIZE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Two main Arabic language weekly newspapers, Assennara and Panorama, covered the Goldberg IIE Prize ceremony that was held on June 22, 2006. In addition, one local private Arabic radio station, Ashams, interviewed the recipients of the award.

Translations from the newspapers from June 30, 2006:

At a reception at the Arab-Jewish Community Center in Jaffa and with the presence of U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones, the annual Victor Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East was presented to Ibrahim Abu Shindi and Hadas Kaplan as recognition to their work in inter-cultural dialogue and co-existence within mixed Jewish and Arab neighborhoods.

Participants at the event included the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, Arab MK Nadia Helou from labor party, former mayor of Tel Aviv Shlomo Lahat, District Court Arab Judge Khaled Kabub and many other Arab and Jewish community representatives.

Ambassador’s Jones commended the award winner’s exceptional work at the Arab Jewish Community Center stating that their mission is a message aiming to strengthen peace and friendship between the two people, and doing so they prove the possibility of achieving peace in this region.

The Mayor of Tel Aviv talked about the Arab Jewish Community Center’s aim since its establishment in 1992 to promote and strengthen the Arab Jewish relations in Tel Aviv and Jaffa and that it succeeded greatly despite all the difficulties they faced. The Arab Jewish Center is considered a model to imitate for coexistence between the two people the county.

The Victor Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East is usually given to one Arab and one Jewish activist in promoting peace in the Middle East.

Abu Shindi and Kaplan established the Center 13 years ago to promote ethnic religious and national issues. The Center has received a great appreciation for its latest achievements in the field of coexistence in different mixed cities. Abu Shindi and Kaplan will receive 10,000 dollars for their work in the field.

Mr. Abu Shindi responded that receiving the award is a great honor for him. Choosing his deputy and himself from the Middle East working together towards coexistence strengthens everyone else who is working in such a field. This is not an easy task and therefore receiving such an award makes it easier to continue.

Link to original scan of Assennara Article
Link to original scan of Panorama Article