Coexistence Works: Jewish, Arab Workers Discuss Shared Workplace

Workers provide alternative to polarized, extremist rhetoric

By Yaniv Sharon
Davar
January 27, 2025

"Jewish and Arab workers from across Israel gathered last month for a three-day seminar on workplace innovation and coexistence organized by the Histadrut’s Department for the Promotion of Equality.

"'The seminar is taking place during a difficult and challenging time for all of us, both Arabs and Jews,' department chair Aziz Bassiouni said at the opening of the seminar... 

"This seminar is a good example of coexistence and shared destiny—a seminar that includes both Arabs and Jews who maintain relationships of friendship and work, fighting for the rights of all workers in the country, Arabs and Jews alike.

"...About 53% of Arab-Israeli men and 42% of Arab-Israeli women work in integrated Jewish-Arab workplaces... Integrated workplaces can bring challenges and tensions....

"'There are disagreements among us here, but this is an opportunity to find the formula for living together,' Bassiouni said."

This article was translated from Hebrew by Leah Schwartz.

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