Visit by Dutch Diplomats based in Ramallah

February 22, 2013: A group from the Dutch diplomatic mission to the Palestinian Authority, located in Ramallah, came on a full-day visit to NS/WAS. The 15-member group included Head of Mission, Ms. Birgitta Tazelaar.

Their program included acquaintance with Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom, its history, ideology, and a discussion with a village member (Daoud Boulos), followed by a guided tour. This was followed by a dance workshop with world music, facilitated by village member Eti Edlund. After lunch at Ahlan Gallery Cafe, they visited the Trappist Monastery at Latroun, and then were escorted by WAS-NS member Umar Ighbariya on a tour of the ruins of the destroyed Palestinian villages now in Canada (Ayalon) Park. In the afternoon, they took part in a storytelling workshop led by Shai Schwartz. The workshop used the medium of stories to focus on cultural conflict, and gave the group the opportunity to share their own personal stories and experiences.

Feedback from the group:

"I would like to thank you for a very pleasant visit to the Oasis (Wahat Al Salam, Nave Shalom). I have received very positive feedback from all the staff here, who said have enjoyed every activity in the program."