The group was also warmly received by the deputy mayors of Safed and Tiberias, two important centres for Judaism. In Safed, when the group dispersed to wander in the streets, one lady read through the apology carefully and then pronounced it beautiful. We paid another visit to the religious kibbutz which stands on the very site where Saladin finally succeeded in routing the crusaders. Rabbi Snitkov spoke to the group and gave them a tour of the kibbutz. It is not that we are crying out for revenge, because that just leads to more.
Reconciliation is a nice word to use.
Some of the group took a trip to Hebron. It was sobering to see this centre of much present day conflict and to see face to face the challenge that faces the people of Israel, if they are to find peace. Back in Jerusalem, Mella met a Jewish lady as she walked along the street. They struck up conversation and Mella told her about why she had come to Israel. Upon hearing, this lady asked if she could read the message of apology.