Comedy for Peace^TM Gains New Supporters By David Lewis

Comedy for Peace^TM, an initiative that employs humor in a very serious effort to promote peace, is adding new names to a growing roster of individuals and organizations supporting this unique effort.

New York-based Seeds of Peace, and Atlanta philanthropists Stephanie and Arthur M. Blank have both joined the Comedy for Peace^TM team to enable its goal of using the tools of comedy and mass media to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The plan is to tour Palestine and Israel with a series of performances and workshops to bring a new dialogue to people living in the midst of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestinian and Israeli, Arab and Jewish, American and British comedians will demonstrate the initiative’s motto: "If we can laugh together, we can live together." A 90-minute documentary about the journey of these comedians, "Laughing Through the Tears^TM" will bring their vision to a global audience. And in a "comic relief" style Comedy for PeaceTM American TV broadcast, dozens of famous comedians will raise money for organizations that support the Comedy for Peace^TM goals.

Atlanta filmmaker and journalist David Lewis heads the Comedy for Peace^TM initiative. “Israelis and Palestinians are tired of the blood. They want change but can't break through their painful history and daily antagonism. Comedy breaks down walls.” Lewis, a veteran of many stories on terrorism and national security for the likes of CNN, 60 Minutes, ABC News and Fox News, has no illusions about the challenges ahead in the Middle East but has seen the power of comedy in the heart of the conflict. Ray Hanania, also a veteran journalist and professional comedian, is Lewis' partner on the project. "We are happy that these great organizations are helping us prove that Comedy for Peace^TM can truly make a difference, as we've already seen in Jerusalem, Jenin, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem and throughout the region" said Hanania. Also a veteran journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times and others, Hanania is a Palestinian-American while Lewis is a Jewish-American.

Seeds of Peace is an organization dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. Based in New York City, Seeds of Peace focuses its efforts on the Middle East but has expanded its programming to include young leaders from South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans. Its leadership network now encompasses over 2,500 young people from four conflict regions.

Arthur M. Blank, is Owner and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Force football teams, and in 1978 co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer. He retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. He and his wife Stephanie are trustees of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Through his generosity, the foundation, along with Blank and his wife’s personal giving, has granted over $160 million to various charitable organizations.

Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about the Comedy for Peace^TM initiative or making a contribution may contact David Lewis at (404) 687-8430, e-mail him at david@comedy4peace.org  or visit the web-site at www.comedyforpeace.org