Symbolic climb of Mont Blanc
Sunday August 8, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

The team reached the summit on August 4^th after weeks of preparation and training.

They were led by the Swiss mountaineer, Jean Troillet, and aided by the Israeli climber, Doron Erel, and the Palestinian, Olfat Haider.

There were 4 Arabs and 4 Palestinians in the group. 

Several had never climbed before.

The group that organised the event, Coexistences, was launched 4 years ago in Lausanne to try to encourage dialogue and mutual understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Working together"The goal was to allow a group of young Israeli and Palestinians to ascend a demanding and emblematic summit in the Alps, namely the Mont Blanc. In addition to the physical and emotional experience, this ascent will have a high symbolic value, in as much as mountain climbing requires extensive solidarity between participants," says a statement from Coexistences.

"The event will illustrate the possibility of such solidarity between Jews and Arabs. This symbolic value, which promotes the idea that peace in the Middle East is indeed possible."

For more information and details of the ascent see this story on Swiss Info.

The climb was supported by the town of Chamonix.

For more information about a host of events taking place in the resort over the summer see this PlanetSKI feature.

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