To understand a bit more about OneVoice you can see the video on youtube which 300,000 people have already viewed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34bVcLMrcRs

It is uniquely a movement of mainstream nationalists rather than peaceniks, working to show that there are mutually acceptable answers to the problems at the heart of the conflict and what is missing is in fact political strength, will and partnership. Leaders need to stand up against the hardliners in their societies in order to deliver solutions, but they will never be strong enough to do so until the grassroots mobilize behind these ideals.

This September Israeli and Palestinian citizens will go to the streets throughout West Bank, Gaza and Israel to make this stand and give the leaders that added pressure and strength to begin a process out of this confict. See www.onevoicemovement.org for more.

Sadly, I suspect that the majority on each side *have* had enough of war. Unfortunately, they are those without a say - the regular people on the street who are "just the same" on each side - but don't realise it because all their 'knowledge' is based on rhetoric from fanatic leaders. And are struggling so much with day-to-day survival in what is effectively a war zone that they have no 'space' to consider a wider view. Sounds like organisations like OneVoice are giving them that space and wider view.

Unfortunately, peace is not going to happen overnight. It is also not going to happen by imposition from the UN - it has to come from within the wider population. Educating that population through the bottom up approach described is a start - prejudice is a symptom of and largely caused by ignorance. Showing each side that individuals on the other share the same hopes, fears and interests and are actually nice guys who don't eat children will hopefully lead to a more balanced view in the longer term. Perhaps one of those children will grow up to be the equivalent of a Ghandi or a Luther King and start a sea change. Who knows.

Not aimed at anyone in particular, but I'm in a snide remark mood right now: as far as "holier than thou" NGOs or politicians who want to dictate solutions go - well, wouldn't it be nice if we could clean up our own back yard - hooray for freedom of speech ... but still :(

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... nearly Vlad the Impaler

I have nothing but praise for the sentiments expressed in this article, but cannot help but think they're misplaced.  Getting Israelis and Palestinians together to play tiddlywinks is clearly a laudable idea - but nothing is going to change until the majority of people on each side decide that they've had enough of war. As it stands, I imagine that there is probably a large class of highly-subsidised peaceniks who profit from the goodwill of people like Mr Hayman. But I have my doubts whether this works makes a a mark on society as a whole. As a donor, I'd be keener to give my money to a cause where I know it will do more good.