Angela Ben-Gur and Tony Harris from Wales, Britain by the Peace Tree, Givat Haviva

In the spring of 2008, Angela Ben-Gur – a radiologist living in Newport, South Wales – visited Givat Haviva leading a group of ardent Welsh hikers who frequently take walks together in Britain and are known as the NOG's (Newport Outdoor Group).

On holiday and visiting family and friends in Israel recently with Welshman Tony Harris from Penarth near Cardiff, Angela called in at Givat Haviva to say hello to Welsh friend of many years, International Department staffer Lydia Aisenberg.

Angela and Tony, a dentist by profession who has volunteered his professional services in the past in Ashkelon and Sha'ar HaGolan, were fortunate enough to join a group of student leaders from Quebec on an International Department seminar with Lydia.

The seminar incorporated a talk dealing with the subject of the Arab citizens of Israel and a short tour to the Katzir vantage point in the Amir mountains – the latter albeit carried out in cold, wet weather but miraculously a short respite opened up a window of opportunity to see the view at its best – the coastline, towns of Hadera and Netanya and overlooking a large section of the northern West Bank and section of the security fence running through the Dotan Valley.

"I was very impressed by this my first visit to Givat Haviva.  It was especially heartening to see so many teenagers on the campus.  It would seem to me that this place is pretty unique and not enough people seem to know about the work being done here bringing together Jews and Arabs to create better relations between them," said Tony, who also said he was most impressed by the Art Center and particularly the present exhibition in the Peace Gallery featuring photographs by Palestinian photojournalist Ata Awisat.

"I would like to applaud Ata Awisat on his thought provoking photographs of Jerusalem," said Angela who lived for 35 years in the capital city in the past.

"After a comprehensive tour of the campus, being able to listen in on a lecture and join in with the Quebec students for both that and their short tour, has helped me to understand the necessary existence of Givat Haviva in these troubled times," said Angela who is planning on returning to live in Israel in the near future.

January 2009