Voice Of Peace

Episode 246,   Nov 24, 2011, 10:26 PM

“From somewhere in the Mediterranean, this is the Voice of Peace. Whoever wrote that line needs a medal. Magical when delivered well.

The station, operating from a ship anchored off Tel Aviv, sought to broadcast a peaceful message to a troubled Middle East. Founded by Abie Nathan, allegedly with financial support from John Lennon, The Voice broadcast from May 1973 until its closure in November 1993. Abie Nathan, who was already well known as an active peace campaigner satisfied himself that some progress had been made by the time the transmitters fell silent. He died in 2008 and his efforts are now recognised in a commemorative plaque on the Tel-Aviv boardwalk, opposite where the Peace Ship was anchored.

Broadcasting principally in English, the Voice of Peace attracted huge audiences, and many familiar British names spent some time on board including Tom Hardy, Gavin McCoy, Tony Lyman, Dave Shearer and Rob Charles.