Arab-Jewish News

EFFORTS TO HEAL JEWISH, ARAB RIFT

Israeli officials and leaders of various Jewish and Arab communities met on Wednesday in an attempt to bring about a reconciliation between Jews and Arabs and end the sectarian violence, HA’ARETZ reported.

Minister Matan Vilnai (Labor), who heads the emergency committee to coordinate government operations in the Arab sector, met with heads of Jewish and Arab councils in Emek Yisrael, to discuss joint efforts to bridge the divides between the two communities.

Chairpersons of the local Jewish committees met with leaders of Arab villages and a number of community leaders in Jerusalem. It was decided to implement a number of joint programs, mainly in the fields of education and municipality in order to calm the tensions.

In Tel Aviv, recently appointed national police commissioner, Maj.-Gen. Shlomo Aharonishky, met on Wednesday with representatives of the Committee for the Advancement of Jaffa Arabs, members of the Tel Aviv City Council and leaders of the Arab community. Additionally, Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv toured the streets of Jaffa, escorted by representatives of the Islamic Council and members of the City Council.

In Haifa, 35 of the city's religious leaders met to discuss the recent clashes, under the banner "We continue together." Among those in attendance were Rabbi Sha'ar-Yishuv Hacohen and Rabbi Shlomo Chelouche, Bishop Boutros Mualem, Sheikh Hassan Asdi, Haifa Mayor Amram Mitzna, representatives of the Druze community and the head of the Bahai community in the city.