Article January 5, 2004 Issue

'The work of God is PEACE'

Two men—one Muslim, one Jewish—search for peace as a way of life.

By Marilyn Jones

Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam ("Oasis of Peace" in Hebrew and Arabic) is a village in Israel where 50 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish families live together (see "City on a hill—a torch lighting the darkness," April 21, 2003, Sentinel). Recently two former mayors of the village stopped by the Sentinel for a conversation about peace.

Abdesalaam Najjar, a Palestinian born in the village of Arrabe, was raised in an orthodox Muslim home. He has lived in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam for 22 years. He and his wife, Aishe, and their four children still live in the village.

Eitan Kremer has also lived in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam for more than 22 years. Born in Israel, he was among the first four families to live in the community. Eitan, his wife, Smadar, and his two adult children continue to live in the village.