Palestinians and Jews Forge Friendships in Jerusalem

By Nir Hasson
Haaretz
May 1, 2025

Despite war, efforts to bring together residents from East and West Jerusalem haven't waned, and several initiatives have been added.

"As it did everywhere else, the war has shaken relations between Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem. Many ties have been cut, distrust has grown, shared spaces in the city have emptied out and racism has intensified. 

“But against that backdrop, efforts to bring the city's Palestinian and Jews together have continued, even spawning new initiatives – including projects focused on sports, art, neighborly relations and language learning. 

“Everyone involved acknowledges that they're a small minority on both sides, but they also feel they are keeping the embers of hope alive for a different reality…

"…FeelBeit has become the most important meeting place in Jerusalem for Jews and Arabs. It's the third incarnation of an Israeli-Palestinian art collective that began as the Jerusalem Season of Culture and then became the Mekudeshet arts festival…

"FeelBeit codirector Karen Brunwasser said… 'We're trying to practice what we would like to see in Jerusalem in the future. Art permits us to do that.'

"The other codirector of FeelBeit, Riman Barakat said… . 'People's anger is understandable. We need to provide it with a space. I've felt anger myself, but I'm also certain that it's possible to create something else,'"

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