Lionel Noam from Israel attended PTPI’s Peace Camp in Egypt in May 2005. Shortly after Peace Camp, he had to serve his compulsory duty in the military. After experiencing the friendship of Palestinian students he met at Peace Camp, he had some serious reservations about serving. He has kept in regular communication with Peace Camp leader Barb Capozzi and sent some heart warming letters that have shown that the Peace Camp experience does change lives. This is his most recent message.
I recently finished my 3 years of military service. I used all the tools and knowledge that PTPI and her members gave me, and it made my service much easier for me and much more helpful for Palestinians that I came in touch with.
With all the things that I had learned in the Peace Camp, my military service was much more comprehensive, and I was able do my work and at the same time to keep on treating Palestinians with respect and humanity.
I may not be able the remove the check points between countries, but at least I was able to make the process (of going through a check point) more convenient for the people that go through those check points, by treating them in humanity, kindness and patience ways.
Now I’m 21-years-old, I have seen many things in my short life, and I think that I’m much smarter and understand better the Israeli-Arab conflict. I feel like I have so much to give and to tell to others peace members, and I would be happy if I’ll be able to keep on with PTPI activities and share my knowledge and experience with others.
Read reflections from other past Peace Camp attendees at the Peace Camp blog: www.ptpipeacecamp.blogspot.com
Tags: Peace Camp, Travel