300 people, Arabs and Jews, gathered this morning, Friday 14/5/21, in the back square of Beit Hagafen to voice a different, sane voice, one that calls for unity and solidarity, one that refuses to see the other as an enemy.
Those who organized the event are Shahira Shelbi - Deputy Mayor of Haifa, Naama Lazimi - City Council member, Isha LaIsha organization - Haifa Feminist Center, "With You From Aki" organization, legal women for social justice and Beit Hagafen.
It is important to emphasize that the event is led by women, women who are tired of the male and militaristic discourse and believe that women can and should speak in a different, inclusive and closer language.
As mentioned, about 300 people, Jews and Arabs gathered together today, the overwhelming majority of them Jews from the left side of the political map, who want to express their sympathy with the pain of the other side.
Naama Lazimi, member of the city council, with a message of brotherhood and shared life in Haifa (photo: Omer Moser) | watch
Shahira Shelbi, the deputy mayor of Hadash, on her feelings from the last few days (Photo: Omer Moser) | Watch
Singing and dancing for peace and coexistence in Haifa (Photo: Omer Moser) | watch
When the music ends…
After the dancing ended and the music turned off, Shelby returned to the microphone and spoke about her neighborhood, Ein Hayam, which yesterday (Thursday 13/5/21) until 12 midnight, suffered from attacks and the throwing of stun grenades. "I'm not in the mood to dance," Shelby said.
The pleasant general atmosphere of a Friday afternoon, music, beautiful people, is deceptive, some would say naive, but I wish, I wish there would be enough people who would take an example from this voice, which calls for unity and inclusion, and have some kind of influence on what is happening around us now.
Really exciting. But you don't get understanding by dancing. At home, next to the dancing, they prepared Molotov cocktails.
I expect the mayor of Haifa to go out with a police car to the streets of Haifa where there are Jewish and Arab rioters and reduce the flames. We should learn from the mayor of Netanya who did this successfully. It is not possible for people to be afraid to walk around Haifa from both sectors. Haifa is a mixed city and will always remain so!!!!
Can't you smell the smoke in Carmel?
Or do you lock the house at night and say that they are only in the area of Wadi and Khalisa?
What about the Arabs... about 300 people gathered, 299 of them Jews. Where is the other side, why don't you hear it? Why do you hear the voices of support for coexistence and opposition to violence only among Jews?! Why do we hear only the Jews being shocked by ugly attacks by psychotic Jewish nationalists and we have heard almost no condemnation from Arabs for attacking and lynching Jews? Where is the sane Arab voice hiding?? Is there one?? Why are you silent? Where is their responsibility? Get used to blaming and denying responsibility. sad
Thanks for the article there is hope!!!