The Elders

Independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

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Desmond Tutu: "You all humble us"

The Elders' first day in the Middle East, proved to be moving, thought-provoking, frank and inspirational as they met a diverse group of Israeli citizens and heard a wide range of thoughts and perspectives

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The Elders arrive at Beit Yehudit for their meeting with young people from all walks of Israeli life.

Jimmy Carter, a farmer from Georgia, chats with Tal Madar of the Farmer’s Union Youth Movement.

The Elders arrive for their meeting with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a politically influential spiritual leader.

The Elders met civil society representatives; Gro Brundtland encourages debate and discussion.

Mary Robinson: “Civil society is yearning to see Israel be a more diverse and tolerant society.”

Desmond Tutu: “We are very touched and humbled by all those working for peace.”

The Elders were deeply moved by their visit to Yad Vashem, a memorial to all those killed in the Holocaust.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Yad Vashem “reminds us of the fundamental right of all people to live in freedom and dignity”

The Elders laid a wreath at Yad Vashem in memory of the 6 million people who died in the Holocaust.

The Elders' first day in the Middle East, proved to be moving, thought-provoking, frank and inspirational as they met a diverse group of Israeli citizens and heard a wide range of thoughts and perspectives.

The Elders met a diverse group of young Israelis. The atmosphere was relaxed and informal, allowing for frank discussion of young people’s hopes and concerns.

The Elders also met Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a politically influential spiritual leader and figurehead of the Shas party, about whom the Elders stated: "We share the Rabbi's insistence on the necessity of peace."

At a lunch with civil society representatives advocating for human rights, employment and the rights of women, the Elders discussed how civil society plays a vital role in the achievement of peace.

The day culminated with a moving visit to Yad Vashem, a memorial to those killed in the Holocaust, where the Elders reignited the Eternal Flame in memory of those who died.