3000 Engage peace and harmony in Israel

Just five days before Israel's planned disengagement from Gaza, almost 3,000 Korean Christians, including children, marched for peace in the Holy Land.

By Danielle Max

Happy News Citizen Journalist

Singing in Hebrew and Korean, waving at passers-by and calling out greetings of shalom (peace), 3,000 Korean Christians, including children, walked the 8km procession from the southern Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity; traditionally held to be Jesus' birthplace.

Israel's Minister of Tourism, Avraham Hirchson, Korean officials and local residents, welcomed the marchers in Jerusalem; Palestinian dignitaries received them in Bethlehem.

'The Peace March is a sign of hope for all people in the region and is an example of what is possible when we all work together,' said Minister Hirchson.

Marching into Bethlehem the participants accepted Ministry of Tourism 'Passports to Peace' as they walked by banners proclaiming, 'Visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem: An Engagement with Peace'.

Joshua Kim, one of the organizers of the event said simply, 'It is an expression of our desire to see peace and harmony in the Land of Israel.'

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This story was produced by a Happy News Citizen Journalist. Danielle Max is a freelance writer living in Tel Aviv, Israel. She intends to donate any tips she receives in her tip jar to the Jaffa Institute. Read her related article on the Jaffa Institute.

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