MEMBERS of the Arab-Israeli Peace Team met the Sydney Swans on Thursday, with the team's match day coach, former Hawthorn star Robert DiPierdomenico, saying the International Cup side had helped break down barriers between the two peoples.

"Here they are with an opportunity to play our game, Aussie Rules, and five months ago, they knew nothing about the game and nothing about the rules," Dipper said.

"It makes me feel proud that footy has been able to bring these boys together, Arab and Israelis, with tracksuits on and they're laughing."

The collaboration between Israel's Peres Centre for Peace, Palestine's Al Quds Association and the AFL has created an opportunity for understanding through a combined Palestinian and Israeli side – the Peace Team – to compete in the 2008 International Cup, which begins in Melbourne and Warrnambool next week.

Players met and kicked a ball with Adam Goodes and Marty Mattner at the club's training ground outside the SCG.

Dipper said many of the players had to travel four hours through three military checkpoints to train on a soccer pitch back home.

"Win, lose or draw Australians love people who have a go. And their journey has been amazing. And I think the AFL is already bringing Palestine and Israel together."

Fares Sweet, from Jericho in Palestine, the oldest city in the world, said he was glad to be in Sydney.

"I feel so happy. I'm happy. It's the first time we hear about it and we try to keep practising. It's a really new game, it's strong and physical."

A smiling DiPierdomenico said of Sweet: "He's a big fella but he's a softie. And the reaction has been terrific back home. In fact we beat a team of expats over there ... with no help from you."

The team will be guests this Saturday at the Swans game against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.

Nasser Gous, director of sport at the Al Quds Association, said the team had an important role to play. "It's the first time Palestinians and Israelis are playing together this new sport. And I hope in the next three weeks we will win."

Gal Peleg of the Peres Centre also said he was happy to be in Australia but would not reveal the team he supported. "I will be diplomatic and say all teams play well."

DiPierdomenico could well be the face of footy in the Middle East and beyond in the coming years, and it seems he is enjoying taking footy to the world, even if some things do seem to get lost in translation along the way.

"When I went over there to Palestine and Israel, they think I'm like the David Beckham of the AFL," he added.