By Prof. Esther Hertzog
link to the original text: http://saloona.co.il/shin_movement/?p=14
An Arab and Jewish women’s meeting was held on the week end of 5-6 August 2016, as part of the “Anuar” activity in Nazareth. The group dealt with the potential of reconciliation and cooperation to overcome suffering, hostility, political and organizational barriers. Emphasis was placed on cooperation between Jewish and Arab women, despite the difficulties and the politically structured conflict between the groups.
The “Anuar” group, Jewish and Arab women’s leadership, was founded in 2002, during the second intifada ( the activity was stopped between 2009 and 2015) in order to bring closer women from the Jewish and the Arab community, and in commitment to peace and equality. The activity takes place mainly in the form of weekend meetings, in which discussions are held on political, social and gender issues. Among the topics discussed so far: racism among us, women against weapons, questions of solidarity, clash of identities and more.
In the meeting that took place on August 5-6 in Nazareth, the group dealt with the potential of reconciliation and cooperation to overcome suffering, hostility and political and organizational barriers. Emphasis was placed on cooperation between Jewish and Arab women, despite the difficulties and the politically structured conflict between the groups.
This weekend was orgenized by Anuar members: Ibtisam Mahamid, Yonat Keler, Rebeka Nardi, Renada Sabag-Zrayek, Anat Livnat, Menal Gurban, Meirav Hillel, Siham Halabi and Esther Hertzog.
As part of the seminar, the film “My Enemy and My Partner” by Duki Dror and Chen Shelah was screened. The film tells the story of two women, a Palestinian from Ramallah and an Israeli from a kibbutz in the Izrael Valley, who are trying to turn their joint business into a success story against all odds. The film illustrates the potential of partnership between women, who are on both sides of a political, bureaucratic and psychological border.
Following the screening, a fascinating and charged discussion took place. The participants were amazed at the deep friendship between the two strong and courageous women. They noted that the courage required of the Palestinian woman is much more significant than that of the Jewish woman. There was also a reference to men who seek to protect the women who are at risk both physically and socially because of their joint activity. The men cautiously suggest that they give up their business. It was also said that the film, made by two Jewish men, emphasizes more the Israeli-Jewish side than the Palestinian side.
During the weekend, a meeting was held with the Bereaved Families Forum representatives: Sabria from Nablus and Tzurit from Hibat Zion. Sabria had to travel for hours in order to reach Nazareth because she was denied access to Israel in three checkpoints. This was an illustration of the many difficulties facing Palestinians who wishes to enter Israel and how these borders have become a meaningful barrier to the prospects of cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
The stories of the two women recalling the loss of close family members touched all present. Sabria told a troublesome story about her brother who was killed and the demolition of their home that followed. It led to the destruction of the whole family. In the wake of the difficult events, she took part in demonstrations until finally she realized that they were not useful and that the killing and the injury only intensified. She then joined a different sort of protest in the framework of this forum.
Women from Jisr al-Zarqa and Faradis who previously were active in the “Rebirth” (A project for women’s empowerment, vocational training and general education initiated and operated by the Shin Movement for Equality in Representation of Women), in their Villages participated in this meeting. Arab women from Jaffa participated as well. Among the Jewish women who participated were a group from the Bat-Yam Women’s Council, the Anuar Group from Ramat Gan, and the board members of the Shin Movement, for equal representation of women.