Center for Strategic Communication

Ambassador Rice Plays Basketball with Israeli and Palestinian Children

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice hosts Palestinian and Israeli kids in a basketball game on the White House basketball court Oct. 9, 2014. The children are in Washington, D.C., on a State Department funded exchange that builds reconciliation and understanding between communities in conflict. Phil Gordon, White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region, and Maher Bitar, Director for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs, also participated.

October 9, 2014.

(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure and honor to take a few minutes away from my desk and the Situation Room to play basketball with some remarkable young Israelis and Palestinians that have come together through sports to build bridges between their divided communities. These inspiring young leaders are visiting the United States on a State Department sports diplomacy program with PeacePlayers International. These youth were aware of my love of basketball and asked to come to meet with me. Rather than sit in a conference room, I invited them over to the South Lawn Basketball Court for an hour of hustle and fun.

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