Common Ground Awards for Middle East Journalist 2003: The Eliav-Sartawi Awards for Middle Eastern Journalism

The European Centre for Common Ground and Search for Common Ground were holding the Common Ground Awards for Journalism in the Middle East to recognize and encourage journalism that contributes to better understanding between people and to maintain political dialogue in the Middle East. In 2003, the Common Ground Awards for Journalism in the Middle East have been renamed the Eliav-Sartawi Awards for Middle Eastern Journalism, founded by the Zel Lurie Journalism Fund. This, in honor of the outstanding efforts these two personalities have undertaken in search for peace in the Middle East.

Awards were offered for articles published in Arab, Israeli, and Western publications - written in Arabic, Hebrew, or English - between January 1, 2002 and March 15, 2003 in a recognized newspaper, magazine, or other periodical.

The festive Awards ceremony took place on September 18, 2003 in central Brussels, at the prestigious "Palais d' Egmont". Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel hosted the event. In 2003, the respected and experienced jury has decided to recognize six journalists whose writings were judged to be outstanding contributions to better understanding among people and nations in the Middle East. Please find below more information on the Awards ceremony, the winning articles and the honorable mentions.

View 2003 speeches from the award recipients

Award Speech For Tawfiq Abu Baker

Award Speech For Lauren Gelfond

Award Speech For Tracy Wilkinson

View 2003 articles from the award recipients

Arabic Press:

Palestinian Extremists Vote Twice for Sharon, Tawfiq Abu Baker (Multiple Arabic-language newspapers)

They Only Have Each Other, Dr. Mohamed Mosaad (MidEast Web)

Hebrew Press:

Cosmic Indifference, Lauren Gelfond (Jerusalem Post Magazine)

Like a Bridge Over (Very) Troubled Water, Ori Golan (Jerusalem Post)

Western Press:

Column One: In Two Worlds, Tracy Wilkinson (The LA Times)

Meeting Mohammed: Beginning Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue, Libby and Len Traubman (Jewish Education News)

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