A joint Israeli-Palestinian initiative will see the
re-establishment of the Abie Nathan's Voice of
Peace radio station. Yesterday, Israeli and
Palestinian peace activists signed an agreement to
begin the new broadcasts on November 4, the
anniversary of the assassination of former prime
minister Yitzhak Rabin.
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Siniora said the station's objective was to
rebuild trust and narrow the distances between
the two peoples. It also aimed at fighting
stereotypes presented in the media about the
Palestinians and Israel, he added, stressing
that the station would not relay political
programs, nor would it be funded by any party.
Instead, it would mainly broadcast Arabic and
Hebrew music as well as entertainment programs
for children and youth.
"It will not focus much on news or current
political issues. It will mostly be about the
cultures of the two peoples, their similarities
and differences," Siniora said.
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The original Voice of Peace was a legendary
pirate radio station run by Israeli peace
activist Abie Nathan. It broadcast from a ship
anchored just outside Israeli territorial
waters and its slogan became something of a
catchphrase in Israel - "From somewhere in the
Mediterranean, we are the Voice of Peace."
Anat Balint Ha'aretz 28/07/2003
