'I can't see any borders here': Israelis and Palestinians unite for backgammon

[oberliner]

That most ordinary thing in the Middle East — a game of backgammon — is suddenly extraordinary because it's Israelis and Palestinians sitting opposite each other to play.

On a warm night at Jerusalem's upscale Train Station restaurant complex, alcohol, cigarettes and watermelon have been laid out so people can knuckle down for some serious backgammon — or shesh besh as it's called locally.

Jews play Muslims, men play women, while the children who don't want to learn the rules run around. Everyone dresses how they please.

It's the brainchild of peace group Kulna Yerushalayim, which means "We are all Jerusalem," a name that has one word in Arabic and one in Hebrew.

"We are offering a human solution, where people realize there is a human being facing them," says Israeli organizer Idai Goldschmitt.

Palestinian activist Mohammed Al Rifei says his motto has always been: "Let's just put people together without having to talk about anything political.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israelis-palestinians-backgammon-1.3744731

[Little Tich]

1. Cool. n/t