On January 20, the first tournament of the year took place as part of the Coexistence Tag Rugby Programme in Haifa, Israel, to mark International Day of Peaceful Coexistence. The event demonstrated how sport can bring young people together across cultural and social divides, even in challenging times.
Building Unity Through Sport in a Diverse City
Haifa is known for its rich cultural diversity, yet ongoing conflict has deepened social divisions within the city. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and limited opportunities for interaction often prevent young people from forming friendships beyond their own communities, reinforcing separation from an early age.
The Coexistence Tag Rugby Programme addresses these challenges head-on by bringing Jewish and Arab children together through sport. By playing tag rugby, participants develop friendships, teamwork skills, and mutual respect, discovering common ground in a shared love of the game.
A Commitment to Peaceful Coexistence
The International Day of Peaceful Coexistence highlights the importance of understanding diverse cultures, values, and ways of life, while underscoring the role of education in promoting tolerance. Proclaimed by the United Nations last year, the day calls for meaningful activities that foster a culture of peace, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
The Coexistence Tag Rugby Programme is firmly aligned with this mission, breaking down social barriers and creating a generation that values coexistence. Children take part in weekly tag rugby sessions, alongside joint intercultural sessions held every six weeks. During these sessions, one school hosts another for shared activities, workshops, and discussions focused on coexistence, sport, health, and well-being; using rugby as a foundation for learning and connection.
A Tournament Bringing Communities Together
On Tuesday, January 20, approximately 120 pupils from grades 5–6 gathered for the first tournament of the year in Haifa. Participants represented four schools from both Jewish and Arab communities, coming from a wide range of socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, the programme is led by the Israeli Rugby Union in cooperation with the national Physical Education Inspectorate and the Haifa Municipal Sports Authority, supported by the Atlas Foundation.
This tournament has a deep impact, especially in bringing together young people from different cultures during such a complex period. Sport becomes a connecting language. Even when there is tension, as there always is in sport, this is where we show that it’s okay and mediate the situation. Even when we speak different languages or come from different backgrounds, we can play together. Through rugby’s core values – discipline, respect, sportsmanship, teamwork and enjoyment – shared play becomes possible.
The tournament created a safe and meaningful environment where children from different communities could meet not only through dialogue but through shared physical activity, teamwork, and enjoyment.
Against the backdrop of the complex social reality of the past two years, sport proves to be a powerful connecting force, enabling pupils to experience cooperation, respectful competition, and mutual recognition beyond language or cultural differences.
It’s a beautiful and safe game, and this programme is a great way to make new friends.
Playing with girls from Jewish schools feels good. Now we have friends from other schools, and we chat on Snapchat.
As the Coexistence Tag Rugby Programme continues throughout 2026, young people are learning that cooperation, respect, and friendship can thrive even in challenging times. By coming together on the rugby field, they are taking meaningful steps toward a more inclusive and peaceful future.
