Israeli, Palestinian teens map out peace plan

Inspired by the international diplomatic roadmap that calls for a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel, the youngsters' proposals are to be sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas.

The six Israelis and six Palestinians, aged 14 through 16, who hail from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah, spent a week laying out their five-point document.

"We believe in peace which will be achieved through the two-state solution... stopping the violence, and eradicating the terror organizations, (and) economic cooperation as a tool for mutual understanding," they said in a statement.

They added: "Education as an important tool in the peace process and the growth of a new generation of peace supporters."

The young Israelis and Palestinians had come to the Finnish capital for a "children's parliament" with the sponsorship of the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.

Amos Atzmon, 16, from Jerusalem, told AFP: "My parents are very open-minded. When I was younger, they kept telling me: 'If you do not like it, change it'. That's what I'm doing here."

Christina Yousef, 14, from Ramallah, said: "My opinion towards Israelis has changed. I realized their thoughts are the same as ours".

Israel's ambassador to Finland, Shemi Tzur, and the Palestinian delegate to the Nordic nation, Nabil Al-Wazir, were on hand for Wednesday's signing ceremony.

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