Teens bridge Middle East divide with song for peace

A London music school is pioneering a peace project that brings Palestinian and Israeli teenagers together to record and write songs.

A single A Step for Peace will be released on MySpace, Facebook and YouTube next week, after being recorded in Tel Aviv by 19 young people from both communities.

The project is the brainchild of Robert Cowan, founder and director of Point Blank music college in Old Street who is a regular visitor to Israel.

The college sent recording equipment and three tutors to assist the group in Israel. Mr Cowan said: "Whatever your views, both sides have to talk. When you do music with young people, they respond exactly the same and that's when you realise they are all exactly the same. Music has brought these kids together and broken down barriers and predetermined perceptions."

Mr Cowan has been working on the project for three years with Windows for Peace, an Israeli charity that works with both Palestinian and Israeli young people. "I saw their message as bigger than politics. It was more about people and understanding at a grassroots level," he said.

He visited Israel to talk to the teenagers and found they were delighted with the results of their work. Tamara, 15, a Palestinian from Bethlehem, said: "It has changed my life. Before, I thought Israeli people were bad and that they thought of us as bad. When I met the group it was a shock for me - now I've changed my thoughts about Israelis."

Gili, 14, an Israeli from Tel Aviv, added: "It's fantastic we are talking, because we are supposed to be enemies. I came here because I wanted to understand more the other side. It's hard for me to talk about the hard things [Palestinians] go through. There is something in their voice that blames me and I can't blame them for that."

Music production tutor Mohammed Nazam said: "It is important to show that there are ways of increasing understanding and crossing religious, national and cultural divides." The scheme has received funding from the London-based Rayne Foundation. Mr Cowan said: "What we need is support to carry on this important work."

We are angry, we're afraid, we are sad
We want to bring back the dead
We have to let go of hatred
We need to overcome fear
We are tired of revenge
We want the future to be clear

(Chorus)
We want peace, we need peace
We can live together in this land
We may all be wrong, we may all be right
But the best way is to stop the fight

We can make the future bright
We should all have equal rights
No racism
No discrimination
Together we can change the situation

Although we can't forget
We can do our best
And if we forgive
In a better future we'll live

Put your egos on the side
Give up hatred and false pride
Together we can make peace
In the Middle East
Yaa!