In a rare gesture of reconciliation, a visiting Palestinian karate coach and his Israeli counterpart, in Durban for the karate world championships, have made their unusual friendship public.
Despite the bitter conflict raging in their homeland, and in keeping with the karate philosophy of harmony and respect, coaches Danny Hakim and Durgham Khalil openly shared their story about the political sensitivities and limitations of their extraordinary bond.
A chance interview with The Independent on Saturday took place just minutes after the men had completed their sixth dan exam together at the Durban Institute of Technology on Thursday.
The candid 15-minute public exchange, described as part of the "peace process", was eagerly captured on camera by two international film crews, one an Israeli crew travelling with their team to document how, and if, karate has the power to bring the two sides together.
If flighted, the documentary will launch a new European Union-funded television "peace channel" in Israel, a joint Israeli-Palestinian venture to promote peace.
Khalil and Hakim first met at the 1997 World Cup in Italy when they took their fifth dan exam together. At the time, competitors from the two sides didn't even talk to each other.
"But our experience was one of togetherness," said 44-year-old Hakim, a resident of Tel Aviv. "Khalil and I became friends and kept in contact after that."
Three weeks ago, when a nine-year-old Israeli girl was accidentally killed by Israeli defence forces, Hakim emailed Khalil to express his sorrow at the tragedy. Khalil, who lives on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, wrote back and thanked him. Curfews and other restrictions, however, limit their contact.
Said Khalil: "Outside Israel and Palestine, it's easier to talk and to be friends."
But despite this, the two teams - they coincidently wear identical blue and white tracksuits - remained separate this week, an ever-present reminder of the realities back home.
"Just like in our society, we have different sides," said Khalil, a 45-year-old father of six.
"Some in my delegation support the peace process. Others have had relatives killed in the conflict. It's not easy for them."
Full interaction between the teams was "most dangerous", Khalil said, because it could be interpreted as if things were normal between the two sides.
If this impression were created, he warned, Palestinians could ask him on his return: "What the hell happened in Durban"?
Despite the divide, most of Khalil's 21-strong delegation would not refuse to participate if they came up against an Israeli opponent in the tournament, Khalil said.
He, however, is adamant karate cannot be separated from politics.
"We still have a hard situation at home. We can't separate things and pretend everything is okay."
Hakim and Khalil tried not to discuss politics too much, instead focusing on their common interests.
"As Khalil has said, he has to be careful when he expresses his views," said Hakim.
"He's taken a risk just by agreeing to be interviewed with me."
- The 8th Shokotan Karate International Federation World Cup at the International Convention Centre ends at 5pm on Sunday.