Fighting back tears of rage 13-year-old Wahib Mohamed Khallaf vowed to avenge his cousin's death ― by "killing many Jews."

An Israeli soldier had shot dead Sabri Rjub in the flashpoint town of Hebron, around 30 miles from Jerusalem. He was 15.

Wahib, like so many young Palestinians, had often boasted in school of becoming a "Shahid" ― a suicide bomber.

Now, he pledged that he would have his terrible revenge.

But tomorrow, just four weeks after Sabri was killed, he will play football in the same team as his new Jewish friend ― 11-year-old Yarin Barzilai.

On Easter Sunday, both boys and hundreds of other Jewish and Muslim Israelis will take part in a soccer festival to promote peace.

And as part of their reward for this first, giant, step they will meet Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho ― who may even manage their team for the day.

Yesterday as Wahib welcomed Yarin and his grandfather into his parents' home in the Arab town of As Sawiya for the first time, the boys clearly could not wait.

But a month ago, football was the last thing on Wahib's mind.

He took a deep breath and said: "I wanted to kill people I thought were responsible for the deaths of my people. I dreamed I would become a suicide bomber.

"I wanted to join the people who kill the enemy. I wanted to hurt those who hurt us."

Looking at his feet, Wahib rattled off the names of Arab friends who have been killed.

His parents ― Amin, 32, and mother Ahoud, 30 ― nodded angrily as he explained Sabri was just a passer-by when he was killed during a demo. Days later, they claim a curt letter from the Israeli Army warned that his family home would be demolished.

Little wonder Wahib's friendship with Yarin was "uneasy" at first ― after they met in a unique football programme.

They are among 1,000 Arab and Jewish boys who have been encouraged to play in mixed teams over the past year.

The programme is supported by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres ― who will welcome Mourinho tomorrow to the two-day festival in Tel Aviv. To reinforce the message, Israeli and Palestinian singers will perform a love song in Hebrew and Arabic on each side's radio stations.

Mourinho has agreed to attend to make a "modest contribution to the strengthening of ties of understanding and friendship of two sets of people."

A noble gesture, but there is so much hurt to heal. Yarin was nervous about visiting his friend. His mother encouraged him, but his "old -fashioned" father did not.

Their suburb on the other side of Jerusalem had been hit by rockets fired from Hamas extremists. People lost everything.

Yarin also worried about his safety in As Sawiya. Resentment runs deep in the town.

Wahib just escaped being taken for questioning by Israeli troops when he leapt from a Jeep.

He said: "Yes I have thrown stones and demonstrated against them, but I felt I was doing the right thing." He may do it again "if it was right" ― but he will not be a suicide bomber now.

He said: "I agree with the people wanting peace here.

"I still get angry when I hear things but I have an ambition now. I want to live. I want to be a professional footballer."

He dreams of playing for Real Madrid and, one day, that there will be a Palestinian national side for him to captain.

His parents encourage him, they want their son to talk about football not suicide bombers.

Ahoud said: "I don't think about great things I want my son to do ― all I want for him is to stay alive.

"I told him we should all try and be peaceful. Everybody is sick of the violence and the killing.

"If being friends with Jewish boys and playing football with them means peace in this region then so be it. That is a good thing."

Wahib's bedroom wall was once adorned with pictures of masked terrorists, guns and martyrs.

Now, the walls are bare and he plans to put up posters of his Real heroes Ronaldo and Zidane.

At the mention of Mourinho, both boys put their thumbs up.

But Yarin sat quietly as his friend spoke in Arabic about the loss of his cousin. He did not understand the language, but he understood the gun gestures.

Yarin's grandfather ― a Jew whose family fled Baghdad 54 years ago ― nodded as the Arab family talked openly about Wahib's once pure hatred.

As the boys left the house to play football in a park, Yarin talked for the first time.

Speaking in Hebrew through a translator, he said: "I did not want to come here but my grandfather persuaded me it would be okay ― but I do still feel nervous.

"My father is suspicious but maybe one day he will change.

"There has been talk of my parents coming here to meet my friend's parents and having a meal. I would like that."