Conflict Prevention

Since the events of October 2000, when violent clashes led to the deaths of thirteen Arab citizens, the tensions between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority in Israel have grown immeasurably. In the past year, another six Arab citizens of Israel have been killed by Israeli security forces, pointing to a dangerous trend of deteriorating trust between the Arab citizens and Israeli institutions.

In addition to these tragic circumstances, the political climate in Israel has become increasingly anti-democratic. Concepts such as transfer of Arab citizens to the territories or to neighboring countries have become common topics of political debate. Meanwhile, lack of government support and discriminatory legislation have raised feelings of exclusion in the Arab population, and isolation from the Jewish majority.

Tensions between Arabs and Jews on the street have intensified, with increased incidence of violent exchanges and racist speech. Jewish citizens have attacked Arab stores and Arab citizens individually and in mobs. Many Arab citizens limit their use of public transportation, and some Arab citizens avoid travel and entering Jewish cities entirely. Suspicions and prejudices have gained credence in the Jewish population, with significant percentages supporting policy-concepts such as transfer. The first instance of an Arab citizen exploding a suicide bomb has occurred in Nahariya. Already in the past year, more than 100 Arab citizens have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in violent activities.

In the current climate of increased tension, intolerance, and distrust, the chances for internal conflict are higher than ever before. Without measures to bridge the widening chasm between the Arab and Jewish communities, aggressions will continue to grow. Inevitably, the situation will deteriorate into confrontation, violent clashes, and conflict.

The increasing internal tensions take place in the context of the widening Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The general climate of distrust and fear has added to internal tensions, as Israeli Jews project anger and distrust onto their Arab fellow citizens, and Arab citizens feel empathy with the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza. However, Arab citizens of Israel may have a special role to play in the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As part of the Palestinian people, and as citizens of the state of Israel, Arab citizens of Israel can act as mediators and translators between the two sides, acting as a bridge for dialog and attempts at increased understanding.

In light of the grim realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the heightening climate of intolerance within Israel, the Arab population must break out of the circle of isolation, and reach out to the Jewish community. In order to build lasting alliances and mutual understanding, the two communities must engage in a dialog. Through opportunities for exchanging information and perspectives, the groups may find issues of mutual interest, and methods for cooperation.

The project will target three groups: politicians and political leaders, media and journalists, and Local Councils. The goals of the project are to increase accessibility and alliances, and to prevent the current situation from sliding into violent confrontation between the Arab citizens and the institutions of the state of Israel.

Goals of the Project

• To prevent the current situation from sliding into violent confrontation between the Arab citizens and the institutions of the state of Israel

• To open dialog between Jewish MKs and Arab MKs, to discuss controversial issues and increase mutual understanding, and to identify points of cooperation

• To increase the Arab public's accessibility to the national government, and to raise the government's awareness of the needs and perspectives of the Arab public

• To open dialog between the Hebrew and Arabic-language media, to increase accessibility of Hebrew-language journalists to the Arab population, to create an exchange of perspectives between the Jewish and Arab populations through the use of media

• To use the Hebrew and Arabic-language media as a forum for presenting alternative perspectives to the Arab and Jewish publics

• To open dialog between Arab and Jewish Local Councils, to raise awareness of communities in nearby localities, to identify issues of regional interest and potential cooperation

• To support the methods of dialog and the resolution of conflicts through non-violent means

• To deepen support of the peace process and resolution of the regional conflict