Nearly a month in the wake of harsh clashes between Jews and Arabs, and between Arabs and Israeli security forces, the damage caused by the rampant vandalism is still very much apparent. It was these mixed cities, the cornerstones of Jewish-Arab coexistence in Israel, that saw the worst of the rioting and violence, and they were used by certain circles to explain and justify the events.
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The mixed cities – Acre, Lod, Jaffa, Ramla and Haifa – attracted both Jews and Arabs over the past two decades because of their development and progress stemming from local investments by their respective municipalities and the national government. The recent events, however, at least thus far, have driven a significant wedge between Arabs and Jews.
The residents of these mixed cities were the ones who were supposed to behave and conduct themselves differently. It's very difficult to talk about separation in these cities: Jews and Arabs lived in the same buildings, worked and made a living in the same workplaces, and their encounters were a natural part of daily life.
Over the years, however, essentially since the creation of the state, although these cities were mixed they were not truly shared, and perhaps herein lies the real solution. While Jews and Arabs lived and worked together, they did not go to school together, didn't get to know one another from a young age, and each mixed city has two soccer teams (Jewish and Arab).
Had the Education Ministry invested in common education from a young age, particularly within the framework of informal education, extra-curricular activities and sports, it certainly could have helped reduce the flames and hatred that raged in the streets.
Despite the hardships that residents of the mixed cities have experienced since the riots, and despite the mutual distrust exhibited by both sides, it is still possible to turn this crisis into an opportunity before these cities, heaven forbid, become powder kegs that explode every time new tensions arise.
The first goal needs to be the establishment of mixed pre-schools, such that every Jewish and Arab child grows up familiar with the other instead of being reared on prejudicial myths and tall tales. Teenagers must be in the same classes, not to discuss coexistence but to actually live it – meaning joint extra-curricular activities, sports, leisure and culture – to help foster real and honest dialogue between Jewish and Arab youths.
Additionally, the local authorities must set the goal of increasing diversity throughout their respective municipalities so that Jewish employees can contribute to helping the Arab population and vice-versa. Tearing down these partitions between the two populations is the key to making sure the unfortunate events of the recent past don't repeat themselves. It is in our hands.
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