A step to reduce tensions: Jewish and Arab youths held a meeting at the President's Residence in the presence of President Isaac Herzog, initiated by the Histadrut's Jewish-Arab Institute. The meeting, held as part of the "Meet for Peace" project, was attended by about 30 boys and girls from the neighboring town of Nahf and the neighboring city of Karmiel.
At the meeting, the youth and the president discussed acceptance of the other, breaking down walls and stigmas, the necessity of a face-to-face encounter between cultures and recognizing them as a significant part of living together, and of course dealing with violence in Israeli society.
President Herzog welcomed the meeting and emphasized the importance of meetings in daily life between young Arabs and Jews.
An initiative to bring hearts together during tensions. Meeting between Jewish and Arab youths at the president's residence, photo: Jewish-Arab Institute of the Histadrut
It is also possible otherwise. Meeting between Arab and Jewish youths at the president's residence, photo: Jewish-Arab Institute of the Histadrut
Shadi Qabalan, director general of the Jewish-Arab Institute, who initiated the project, said at the president's residence: "We have no other country and the only solution is to live together. The very fact that Arab and Jewish youths come together as one group to the president's residence is a statement in these difficult days that Israel is going through, days of violence and racism. Together with you, dear boys, we are the majority, the sane voice that wants to live here together and in peace."
"You were willing to be hurt for everyone": Thousands escorted policeman Amir Khoury to rest // Archive photo: Shmuel Buchris
Also taking part in the meeting was Grace Khoury, father of policeman Maj. Amir Khoury, who fell while trying to prevent an attack in Bnei Brak in March last year. Muhsena Khater, a representative of the Druze from the Golan Heights, also arrived against the background of the riots and clashes surrounding the construction of the turbines last week.
The Histadrut defines the meeting as "the culmination event of the project of the Histadrut's Jewish-Arab Institute, headed by Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David and his substitute Roy Yaakov, whose goal is to connect and bridge between Jewish and Arab youth who live next door and rarely meet."
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