The familiar and charged historical tension between Jerusalem and Babylon is sometimes given an updated expression, which can be perceived not necessarily in the familiar and challenging way but in a complementary view. For example, with Fleur Hassan-Nahum, who is currently running for the position of chairman of the Jewish Agency, and sharpens her approach to Jewish communities in the Gulf. "The Diaspora and Israel need each other," she says in a conversation with Israel Today. . We are one people, and Jewish communities have made many contributions in every country in which they have lived. "
As one of the founders of the United Arab Emirates-Israel Business Forum (together with the entrepreneur Dorian Barak) even before the Avraham agreements, and the Women Leaders Forum from Israel and the Gulf, Hassan-Nahum notes that "in the Gulf context, many 'relocations' of Israelis are expected Places, including USA, France, UK and more.
Just a year ago, on Simchat Torah, I arrived there and saw sayings coming to a prayer that interested them.
They were very curious about Judaism, which they perceive as the source of Islam. "
Very curious about Judaism,
"A future of natural and harmonious cooperation"
Hassan-Nahum, a native of Gibraltar with Spanish roots, who immigrated to Israel 20 years ago and lives in Jerusalem, enthusiastically talks about her childhood environment.
"I grew up with the understanding that Jews and Arabs are cousins. I have great faith in peace through economic development."
In so doing, she hints at her current work in promoting the situation of the Arabs of East Jerusalem, as part of her role as deputy mayor of Jerusalem and in charge of foreign relations, economic development and tourism in the city.
In the technological context, for example, she is proud to say that "the pleasure for me is to show their integration, especially in a platform where people can find diverse businesses and create a business community. I am definitely looking for connections with Jerusalem Arabs, who make up 37% of the city. Up Nation 'so that everyone' will feel at home 'in the city. "
PM Netanyahu: "Peace with the United Arab Emirates will bring huge investments in Israel" // Photo: Knesset Channel
On the formation of the business interface with the Emirates, Hassan-Nahum says: "We built a 'board' with people here and there. Something independent, not governmental. We did 'webinars' under the basic question - how to generate business in the UAE. We noticed a lot of interest in the subject, In his most direct way, during the flights, I meet a lot of Arab-Israeli businessmen who work in the Gulf.
"In practice, with the announcement of the Avraham agreements, we already had a business council 'under the radar', so in practice we set up an online platform and today we have about 4,000 subscribers to the platform on various topics (tourism, cyber, fintech and more - etc.).
"Jerusalemite, a city with a 3,000-year history, has no reason not to aspire to a future in which the Gulf states will see the possibility of cooperation in a natural and harmonious way."
"The great resemblance between us is greater than what separates us from an elective,
Change perceptions and produce impact
Entrepreneur Alanud Al-Hashmi, an emirate consultant in business, innovation and media in Dubai for 15 years, emphasizes her natural connection with the Jewish community.
"There has never been a conflict, and yet the initial step is to be welcomed," she declares. On Sukkot and other holidays, and I really enjoyed my stay together.
I recognized the great resemblance between us - which is greater than what separates us.
To me, every prophet in the Jewish religion is a prophet for me as well. "
The two influential women, who have a pluralistic approach and express in their influence a clear message for the empowerment of women, look to the future in an overall perspective.
Hassan-Nahum notes that "as of today, the emirates are already beginning to see the 'Israeli' - both as a Jew and as an Arab. They see that the Israelis are interested in promoting Arab society and internalize it. The problems that the Palestinians are causing. "
Statements on a media tour ahead of the launch of the Israeli pavilion at the "Expo Dubai" fair, 2021, Photo: AFP
According to her, the mutual acquaintance also changes the perspective of many of the Jews in Israel, in relation to the Arabs of Israel itself - an angle that for years did not necessarily attach much importance to on a daily basis.
"Under the auspices of the Abrahamic Agreements, the Israelis discovered the Israeli Arabs and received the 'license' to be okay with them. In practice, a kind of local 'Abrahamic Agreements' were created.
"It has definitely changed dynamics - the Arab world lives in peace with us. Many people who were against cooperating with Arabs want to be a part of it. Against this background, I think we should look at the riots in Israel in May. Hamas was on the sidelines because the Palestinians are no longer relevant and caused this unrest. "The riots were born as a response not only to the normalization of the Abrahamic agreements, but to the relations between the two societies within Israel."
Al-Hashmi, as the founder and CEO of The Futurist Company, emphasizes - looking to the future - the cultural diversity of the region.
We are strong when we are together, as far as the background of each is interesting in itself.
"Far beyond the 'Jewish and Muslim' vision, our next challenge is precisely in issues of climate and food and water security - and we will succeed only if we all cooperate with it. We must think, first of all, about humanity and only then about entrepreneurship, business and more. Coexistence "The mutual desire for stability and prosperity - which is now more prominent than ever, a year after the formal establishment of the relationship - should be a message to the whole world: to concentrate on common values. Otherwise we will literally endanger human existence," she concludes.
