Size Doesn't Matter BLOG »
Israeli, Iranian form unlikely friendship
Ella and Hoora in Thailand
Ella Klein meets Hoora Amin in diving club in Thai island, shares joint picture on Facebook
While tensions between Israel and Iran grow stronger by the minute, two young women are proving that the two peoples aren’t so different after all.
Ella Klein, 28, of Karmiel and Hoora Amin, 31, of Tehran, met at a diving club in Thailand’s Ko Tao island two months ago. Ella was working there as a diving instructor and Hura came to do a diving course.
The two soon became friends and earlier this week decided to post a picture of themselves on Facebook. The picture shows the two making a heart sign with their fingers on the beach in Thailand.
Ella wrote on her Facebook page, “On the other side of the world, there are no wars, no conflicts, just sea & sun…. me and my friend from Iran took a moment to remind everyone that we’re simply people who love eachother and love life!”
Hoora wrote in response, “Tao was the heaven where I shared the most amazing moments of my life with those who inspired me, those who I will never forget. Let’s hope for a day when we can celebrate our joy and memories in our home country, whether it be Iran or Israel.”
The photo received numerous likes and comments. “We decided it’s an important message to pass on,” Klein told Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday.
She admitted Hoora was her first Iranian friend. “At first I didn’t know how she would accept the fact that I’m Israeli,” she said, “but it turned out that just as I don’t hate the Iranians, they understand we’re human beings too. Generally, life in a small island like Ko Tao, which has people from all over the world, shows that ultimately we’re all just human beings. It’s borders and leaders that deny us a free life.”
On Monday, Hoora completed her diving course and returned to Tehran. Before saying their goodbyes, Ella and Hoora expressed hope that one day they will be able to visit each other’s homes.
“When we said goodbye we joked how when we’ll each go back home they’ll take us directly to the interrogating room,” Ella said. “I think that both sides think it’s all very scary at the other side and that the oppression is much greater than it actually is.”
Source: Ynetnews.com