Lionel Messi and his fellow stars of Barcelona football team arrived in Israel and Palestine, where the Spanish team finalized two 'training games for peace "for Israelis and Palestinians.
The players visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, they were received by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem and met with Palestinian youth near Hebron in Dura Stadium, where the team conducted a series of workshops and games dozens of Palestinian children.
On Sunday met with President Shimon Peres before training to more children in Tel Aviv. "Goals are important, but it is also important to educate the children and try to join them," said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta. Training sessions were organized by the Peres Center for Peace, as well as the football associations of Israel and Palestine.
Fans jostled for the opportunity to come and photograph Messi and his companions with their mobile phones. After a brief warm-up period, the stars of Barcelona played with a group of children, taught them some of the secrets of their intricate passing game.
Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian Football Federation, said he hopes that when the Barcelona make a return visit in the future, there is "an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel." "Sport is the best way to overcome hatred and hostility" said Rajoub, who described the visit as a "historic day".
The team made it clear that the trip aims to strengthen institutional ties with both communities and build bridges of dialogue for peace.
The visit comes shortly after the Israeli-Palestinian talks resumed
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On Sunday met with President Shimon Peres before training to more children in Tel Aviv. "Goals are important, but it is also important to educate the children and try to join them," said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta. Training sessions were organized by the Peres Center for Peace, as well as the football associations of Israel and Palestine.
Fans jostled for the opportunity to come and photograph Messi and his companions with their mobile phones. After a brief warm-up period, the stars of Barcelona played with a group of children, taught them some of the secrets of their intricate passing game.
Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian Football Federation, said he hopes that when the Barcelona make a return visit in the future, there is "an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel." "Sport is the best way to overcome hatred and hostility" said Rajoub, who described the visit as a "historic day".
The team made it clear that the trip aims to strengthen institutional ties with both communities and build bridges of dialogue for peace.
The visit comes shortly after the Israeli-Palestinian talks resumed
Do you know FC Barcelona soccer camps Canada?
