Palestinian, Israeli children mark ‘Christmas truce’

Legend has it that a hundred years ago, British and German soldiers decided to lay down arms and play football to celebrate Christmas Day 1914.

This week, Palestinian and Israeli children decided to commemorate the anniversary of the legendary football game, commonly known as “Christmas truce,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

The children played in Haifa as part of an event hosted by the British diplomatic mission.

"You can see behind me, not just young kids enjoying themselves sharing football but also something very special happening,” British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said.

“Kids from different communities that do not normally get to talk to each other, that do not normally get to play together are building links, building friendships through the medium of football and I cannot think of a better way of commemorating the Christmas truce,” he added.

Israeli Arab sports anchor Zuhair Bahloul said the game was a “value activity” especially given recently escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.