Building bridges in mixed cities - Ajyad & Tzedek Centers

Last May in Israel, the streets of Arab and shared cities were ablaze. The fabric of shared life in Israel was under an attack, fueled by extremists, locally and nationally. Indeed, most Israelis — Arab and Jewish — oppose the raging violence, as the entwined reality of life is stronger than these destructive forces. Nevertheless, the damage was overwhelming. The wave of anger and violence that swept the country indicates the crucial importance of public action and community organizing, and its urgence in places where it is absent.

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness, said Eleanor Roosvelt. Some people who share this vision are creating a new opportunity for both Jewish and Arab societies living together to set a new path of common life. The Tzedek Centers are working to open many centers across the country, home to any gender, ethnic group or socioeconomic status. For them, establishing centers in Arab and shared cities is an acute and primary goal. Arab and Jewish activists work together at their center in Haifa, and the new center has just opened at Ramla, and is set to be followed by Acre, Jaffa, Lod and Nazareth.

I am glad to host Amit Ben Ami, Ahlam Kasim Ali & Lev Littman, of Ajyal & Tzedek Centers to discuss what happened and how we can create an Arab-Jewish alliance, and empower the Arab society in Israel from bottom to top, so that the voice calling for peace, equality and solidarity will be heard.

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