JERUSALEM | Nine Seeds who are Palestinian citizens of Israel met at a community center in the city of Tira on May 22 for a seminar on the political and social status of Arabs in Israel.
The event was part of Seeds of Peace’s series of Community Dialogues. The Community Dialogue Program is supported by USAID and helps Israeli and Palestinian Seeds and Educators identify, design, and implement programs based on what they perceive as the most important conflict-related issues facing their societies
The seminar used Tira as a case study, and provided the Seeds with an opportunity to focus on Arab-Jewish issues in Israel, rather than the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Throughout the day, participants discussed the divides they encounter among their communities on a daily basis.
“I have lived here all my life and I never realized how much I missed,” said one Seed. “I feel much more connected to my history today than I did before.”
Through dialogue, the Seeds were able to build deeper connections with one another, and for the first time, were able to face their differences, both as Seeds, but also as members of the same minority community.
One particularly eye-opening conversation centered around the issues of military service for Druze, and the strong negative reaction their service evokes among Palestinians.
“The Seeds were very supportive to one another, and understanding of the emotional tension in the room,” said an older Seed who helped organize the seminar.
“Their connection with one another was strengthened so much after the discussion, regardless of the geographical, religion, and Camp year differences.”
The seminar was hosted by Darna, a community-based nonprofit started by Seed that works with youth in Tira.