Mideast youths tell leaders "enough!"

Young Palestinian and Israeli citizens were given an unprecedented opportunity in January to present an impassioned video expressing their views to world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni listened as leaders of the youth movement, OneVoice, told them, "Enough!"

With their arrival in Switzerland, the movement had come full circle, returning to the place where less than five years earlier they'd been taught how to build a movement for change by members of the World Economic Forum and global youth leaders. Today the group's membership has surpassed one million Israelis and Palestinians.

Using inspiring music and strong appeals for urgent action by both Jews and Arabs, the video moved members in the audience and asserted, "The time has come to listen to the voice of the moderate majority, and to prevent violent extremists from hijacking our lives, the lives of millions of Israelis and Palestinians... We will not accept any more excuses or delays," and, "What are you willing to do to end the conflict?"

Afterwards, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders responded as witnesses packed the hall with over 2,000 dignitaries from around the world.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, "As I heard these messages, hope rose in my heart that peace is possible, and overdue." He added emphatically, "I am fully convinced that in spite of all the difficulties, peace is possible."

Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, said, "After watching together these wonderful youth, after listening to President Abbas, I have a feeling of sadness for lost opportunities, but also a great feeling of hope." She added, "But it is our responsibility as leaders to give them the hope. We must make a promise and fulfill...the vision of two states living side by side in peace."

Nisreen Shaheen is the Executive Director of OneVoice Palestine, and her video segment was taped in the largest hall in the West Bank city of Ramallah where she was surrounded by a crowd of hundreds of Palestinians. She appealed to the assembled leaders: "Enough promises, enough excuses, enough suffering...Help us not to lose hope, help us strengthen this movement, help us strengthen our leaders, that they may sit down at the table and stand up with a fair and lasting peace agreement."

Since its release, the video is generating a great deal of enthusiasm and support around the world.

let peace reign