Bridging the Gulf Between Israel’s Arab Citizens and the Gulf
By Jonah Naghi
The Blogs - Times of Israel
"The Abraham Accords are improving relations between Israeli Jews and Arabs throughout the region. I learned what the Abraham Accords mean for Israel’s Palestinian Arab citizens as well.
"Mohammad is a Palestinian citizen of Israel who is most known for his work in promoting coexistence and equality between Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens. He is currently the Director of Planning, Equality, and Shared Society at the Givat Haviva Center. (Editor’s note: Mohammad Darawshe also serves on Heart of a Nation’s Board of Directors.)
"Sumaiiah is the first ever international student from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to study abroad in Israel. She is currently studying nursing at the University of Haifa after previously working as an electrical engineer.
"72 percent of Israel’s Arab citizens reported that the term “Palestinian” plays an important role in their identity. Yet, they do not feel fully connected with Palestinian society because they are citizens of Israel rather than citizens of a Palestinian state. Conversely, it is hard for them to feel fully part of Israel’s society because they are not Jewish.
"'It is important for (Israel’s) Arab citizens to reconnect with their brethren from the Arab world. This is possible only with people of countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel. This connection creates potential for (Israel’s) Arab citizens to act as a bridge of peace between their country Israel and the people in the Arab countries.'
"Mohammad talked about how Israel’s vibrant startup nation presents a golden opportunity to create strong bonds between the Jewish state and Arab world – and it is precisely the Arab community within Israel who can create these connections.
Jonah Naghi is a Boston-based writer and the Chair of Israel Policy Forum's IPF Atid Steering Committee in the city of Boston.
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