Pressenza Pressenza International Press Agency Madrid, 2/7/10 On “International Day of Non-violence and Peace”, a group of Israelis and Palestinians met over lunch in Madrid. Persons of both nationalities, of different genders and ages attended, but all shared the same goal: raising awareness in society about the ending of violence.

Among the attendees of this program for peace were two families, Israeli and Palestinian respectively, whose personal experiences are marked by the pain and wounds of the conflict, and in spite of which have not allowed themselves to be overcome by hate and have become active defenders of peace.

The program has been promoted by the NGO Peace Messengers, winner of the Prince of Asturias award, and the Parents Circle Families Forum (PCFF)in conjunction with the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures proclaimed by the UN, which recommends that during the year suitable events relating to dialogue, understanding and cooperation among religions and cultures that support peace be organized.

Every year, since 1964, on January 30, International Day of Non-violence and Peace is celebrated to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi, the man who with his peaceful struggle and non-violent actions made a reality the achievement of the independence of India, his native country.

Given that, this year, January 30 falls on a Saturday, and part of the Israel people celebrate the Sabbath, out of respect for this rapprochement of cultures, the lunch was moved forward to the immediately preceding day.

(Translated by Iuslingua LLC)