THE PRESIDENT

Jerusalem, June 2008

Dear Reader,

The target of relentless terrorist attacks, this collection of letters written by Israeli schoolchildren – Arab and Jewish – could not better express the yearning of these children for a long-term hiatus in the constant threat of terrorism to which they, and their families, are exposed.

This unique project allows the children to voice their inner feelings, each from their own personal perspective, and address the terrorists who have caused havoc with their lives. They seek to probe the motivation that causes a human being to abandon his or her humanity and turn into a device that disseminates destruction and grief. They are keen to understand the rationale that breeds such hatred, the people who choose death over life.

Working together, these young Jewish and Arab children have broken down the barriers of prejudice and intolerance, substituting age-old conflicts by a spirit of partnership in the quest for a better world. Destined to assume the mantle of responsibility for our society and become tomorrow’s leaders, these meaningful letters serve as a tangible message of peace that must fall on fertile soil if we are to start building a future of hope for these children today.

Sincerely,

Shimon Peres