Hundreds of Jews and Arabs Rally Arm-in-Arm for Peace in Israel
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Nearly 1000 Jewish and Arab residents joined seven mayors from different municipalities to form a human chain north of Israel, calling for coexistence and condemning violence.
They
lined up along the road in the Wadi Ara region to call for calm,
understanding, and cooperation in creating a shared society for all
citizens.
“Arabs and
Jews want to live in security,” organizers wrote on Facebook. “We know
that only with a just solution to the conflict will we be able to stop
the killing and the hatred, to build a different reality. A reality of
security.”
Givat Haviva, a non-profit group founded in 1949 by the Kibbutz Federation, organized the Friday afternoon event, and afterward, hosted dialogue and sharing circles under a big tent. You can see photos on their Facebook Page.
The Mayors signed this public declaration:
In
light of the present hostilities and the tense situation in Israel, we,
the mayors of neighboring Jewish and Arab local and regional
authorities who are working with Givat Haviva for a shared and secure
life for our populations, issue this declaration:
1.
Israel’s Declaration of Independence affirms that the State of Israel
is based on the principle of equality, and has been a shared home for
both Jews and Arabs since its inception.
2.
We call upon all the citizens of Israel, and residents in Wadi Ara and
the Triangle in particular, to maintain an attitude of respect and avoid
any harm to one another. We vehemently condemn any attack on body,
soul, or property, as well as any expression of physical or verbal
abuse.
3.
We appeal to the leaders of both peoples to refrain from incitement and
the ferment of emotions. Our task at this time is to inspire calm and
ensure public safety. We appeal to religious leaders, intellectuals,
educators and teachers to lead us in a dialogue that will help adults
and children to deal with the complex situation in a way that will not
lead to manifestations of racism, revenge, injury, or threats to the
other.
4.
We recognize the reality that the State of Israel’s near 50-year
occupation of the West Bank has deeply affected us on a daily basis,
causing tension, violence and danger to the existence of a democratic
society in Israel. We urge the Israeli government to pursue a political
solution that will enable all people in Israel to live in security and
peace.
5.
We recognize the great sensitivity of the Temple Mount / Al Aqsa Mosque
for both Jews and Muslims. We ask the Israeli government, the
government of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to manage the crisis
responsibly and to return to the preservation of the status quo on the
Mount.
In
recent years we joined Givat Haviva’s “Partnership between Communities”
program, through which we seek to live as good neighbors and establish
healthy, constructive relationships which can bestow security and social
and economic advancement to all the region’s residents, Jewish and
Arab.
Today, with the deterioration in security and in relations between Jews and Arabs, we want to preserve the fabric of life together that we have put great effort into building. During this time of crisis, we will continue to maintain good relations and promise to remain faithful and committed to our partnership, which is based on mutual responsibility and equality between Jews and Arabs in the region and in the country.
Today, with the deterioration in security and in relations between Jews and Arabs, we want to preserve the fabric of life together that we have put great effort into building. During this time of crisis, we will continue to maintain good relations and promise to remain faithful and committed to our partnership, which is based on mutual responsibility and equality between Jews and Arabs in the region and in the country.
Signatory Mayors:
• Itsik Cholevsky, Megiddo Regional Authority Head
• Hassan Atamna, Kafr Kara Local Authority Head
• Mustafa Agbaria, Maali Iron Local Authority Head
• Ilan Sade, Menashe Regional Authority Head
• Ibrahim Muassi, Acting Mayor of Baka el Garbiya
• Diab Ghanem, Zemer Regional Authority Head
• Rani Aidan, Emek Hefer Regional Authority Head
• Itsik Cholevsky, Megiddo Regional Authority Head
• Hassan Atamna, Kafr Kara Local Authority Head
• Mustafa Agbaria, Maali Iron Local Authority Head
• Ilan Sade, Menashe Regional Authority Head
• Ibrahim Muassi, Acting Mayor of Baka el Garbiya
• Diab Ghanem, Zemer Regional Authority Head
• Rani Aidan, Emek Hefer Regional Authority Head
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