An Oasis Of Peace In Israel

People of different cultures can live side-by-side in Israel.

CBS News Correspondent Drew Levinson found one small Israeli town where that's happening now, and children are setting the example.

Nestled in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv sits the unique community of Ne-ve' Shalom---Wahat al-Salom. In English it means "Oasis of Peace."

Children play together, and they go to class together.

Not that unusual until you consider these children are Jewish and Palestinian. And they learn from teachers who are Jewish and Palestinian and teach them in Hebrew and Arabic.

The community and the school demonstrate the possibility of coexistence between Jews and Palestinians by showing mutual respect, acceptance and cooperation.

"We feel that we have a responsibility, a big responsibility for being together, working together, seeing things together," says Diana Shalufe-Rizek, the school's principal. "This is the thing we want for ourselves and the whole world."

This school was established in 1984. It was designed not only to educate, but to give kids at a very young age a better understanding of what peace is all about.

Leila is 11 years old. Her mother is English, her father Palestinian, she understands the conflict between her people and the Israelis.

"It's very hard for two countries to live together when they're against each other; they should try," says fifth-grader Liela Cass Darweish.

One of Leilas good friends is 10-year-old Ziv. He's Jewish.

"It's not bother me, I don't say hey you are Arabic, I can't be your friend; I have no problem with that."

No problem with someone different -- a philosophy that maybe someday will catch on in this troubled land; and the only rocks that will the thrown will be in a kid's game.

And wouldn't that be music to the ear.