"What cannot be destroyed is the dream of a better society with equality, peace, and justice in our country" - Dr Nava Sonnenschein, Director of the School for Peace

It is with great sadness that we share the news that during the night of Monday 31st August the School for Peace at Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam was devastated by fire.

The school's classrooms were severely damaged; the roof and ceiling partially collapsed, the wood sidings of the walls completely burned and doors, walls, windows and furniture destroyed. Fortunately, fire fighters arrived quickly and were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to nearby houses - a real possibility. We are all profoundly thankful that no-one was hurt in the blaze.

The school's administrative offices escaped unscathed, as did its computers, files and books. The fire severed its power and water connections, and the staff have immediately moved nearby to the village's Fred Segal Peace Library. In characteristic spirit, the school's director Nava Sonnenschein has announced that its work will continue uninterrupted. As she says, with so much work to be done fostering peace between Israeli Jews and Palestinians, "we cannot afford to take a break!"

In the days, weeks, and months to come the School for Peace will begin the process of rebuilding what has been so cruelly lost. They will be joined in this painful task by their friends and partner organisations from around the world including, of course, Oasis of Peace UK. We will keep our supporters updated on developments and on the ways in which they can help.

The work goes on.