A unique orchestra in Germany under the leadership of a unique man.

The West Eastern Divan Orchestra is made up of 90 members from the Middle East. And that means Palestinians and Israelis playing together.

But the violent clashes within the region have affected even this bastion of peace. Two concerts scheduled for Doha and Cairo were cancelled due to the fighting in the Gaza Strip for security reasons.

Its conductor is Daniel Barenboim an Argentine born Jewish musician who was the first person to possess both an Israeli and a Palestinian passport.

The main goal of the Arab-Israeli group is to promote cooperation between young musicians from the region.

Barenboim highlighted his belief that people should be more open-minded when looking at different cultures.

"We need to be curious about getting to know the other person and understanding the other person.

By this I mean his fears, his beliefs, his wishes, and only then should the question be asked: "and by the way, where are you from,� Barenboim said?

Palestinian violinist Abboud Ashkar who lives in Israel finds playing in it inspirational.

"Yesterday people were more open-minded and more willing to understand and see what's happening on the other side and that was quite special,� said Nabeel Abboud Ashkar a Palestinian violinist from Israel.

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