Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., May 15, 2008 Iyyar 10, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:17 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Wanted for alternative ceremony: Arabs By Yoav Stern and Fadi Eyadat Tags: Independence Day Unlike those who relate them, the Israeli-Jewish narrative and the Palestinian-Arab narratives usually share what seems to be a productive coexistence, a kind of strange mutual support system: the more one develops and grows, so its colleague-rival is reinforced and strengthened. So just now there is a festival of narratives: the traditional torch-lighting on Mount Herzl was accompanied last week by a "Procession of Return" event, which is held annually on the Hebrew date of Independence Day, and was marked this year by a pilgrimage to the abandoned village of Saphoria (Tzipori); while Israeli Jews were lighting barbecues, internal refugees visited their destroyed villages, which were usually not far from their present homes; the President's Conference "Facing Tomorrow," which opens today and will host world leaders, will be followed by Nakba Day - literally, "the catastrophe," the Palestinians' term for what happened to them after 1948, which falls on May 15, the Gregorian date of the establishment of the State of Israel. Nakba Day is marked in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Arab states and even in Europe. There was an unusual attempt to have the narratives not only coexist, but also actually be in the same place, over Memorial Day and Independence Day at the Givat Haviva hostel. This is the sixth time that "the experiment," as it is called by the organizers, has taken place. This year apparently there was a record number of participants: 160 adults and 20 children. Advertisement "Political-spiritual peace work" was the title of this encounter; "Jews and Palestinians, citizens of the State of Israel, together mark Memorial Day, Nakba Day and Independence Day," stated the invitation. Mattresses on the floor The hall in which the participants gathered was set up in advance: Mattresses were spread out, pillows scattered, and the participants (mostly Jews), immediately after removing their shoes, slipped into yoga sitting positions. The few participants who are accustomed to Western-style sitting, or who didn't want to stretch out on mattresses, made do with two rows of chairs along the walls of the room. Dr. Jamal Darash, a Haifa resident and a family doctor, opened the event. "The majority are not with us," he said. "The majority are not here and chose to be alone, not together. You chose otherwise, not to go with the flow," he complimented the participants. His partner in organizing the event, Michal Tal-Yah, a music therapist, spoke after him. "Welcome to the transformation of the impossible into the possible," she said and received a round of applause. But it is unclear whether the impossible was indeed transformed into the possible. Inequality stood out here, too. Arab Israelis were a rare commodity, and the Jewish participants had a hard time "sharing the anger and pain with the Arabs." Of the 160 people present, 140 were Jews, 20 were Arabs. Darash related to the numerical facts:. "It's like a share of the population," he said. "Attendance is a sign of a maturity and growth. Thank you, to those of you who came and expressed a commitment. Don't think they don't want to meet you, but think about the fact that you are generous and willing to give, even if there is no one to receive." Tal-Yah said that if there are winners and losers, there will not be peace, and that only by finding a common path based on equality, will progress be possible. "We want to meet in a place of pain, to recognize the suffering of our fellows," she said, "and it's hard to empathize with the pain of one who is perceived as an enemy." Groups of three After the introductions, the participants split into groups of three to get acquainted. The organizers stressed they should not conduct a conversation, but just listen for a few minutes to what the group members had to say. Journalists did not get an exemption from the icebreaking exercise. R. came to the group to be comforted a little. In her professional life, she works all the time with Arabs, and it's going well. To ease her conscience over the issue of the occupation, she also shows up at roadblocks as part of Mahsom Watch-Women for Human Rights, but recently she attended a political gathering with Arab colleagues, who, she said, let out tremendous hatred for Jews. "It's a little depressing," she said. Z. came to promote joint efforts, but unfortunately, her Arab colleagues, whom she repeatedly urged to attend the event, did not bother to show up. After the introductions, there was a lecture given by an "internal refugee," Adnan Mahamid, today a resident of Umm al-Fahm, who was born in the destroyed village of A-Lajun, who told the audience about what life was once like. Eitan Kalinsky, a Petah Tikva native, related his recollections of growing up next door to the Arab villages before the war, and of their destruction after the war. After the lectures, an alternative memorial ceremony was held: The lights were dimmed, music played in the background and each of the participants could go at his own leisure to the center of the circle, light a candle and dedicate it to anyone he wanted, out loud or silently. So does one actually share the pain? Darash says it's hard to explain. "It's like explaining how to swim theoretically. You have to come and try it," he said. Tal-Yah is also very optimistic. "There has to be less cynicism; we need to make room. Talking about the Nakba will not lead to Israel's collapse," she said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Grass is greener For the cannabis-growing residents of Lebanon, recent fighting has been a blessing. Piggy bank savings Welfare Minister Herzog unveils a plan to open savings accounts for every Israeli child.   1.   Israeli Lefties,why don`t you march together with SS-veterans,com 23:01  |  Absolute Sweden 13/05/08   2.   No Yom HaAzmaut, No Naqba ... 00:27  |  Morris Valentine 14/05/08   3.   Even Arabs do not believe in their own lies 07:21  |  Genuine Tosefta 14/05/08   4.   Nockbe 07:47  |  Ben Gurion 14/05/08   5.   Internal refugees 09:18  |  Joe 14/05/08   6.   The clock doesn`t move backwards... 09:23  |  Joseph 14/05/08   7.   Just bunch of Jewish masochists. Why this in the news? 09:49  |  Alex 14/05/08   8.   Joseph, London 12:06  |  Said 14/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: We owe the Palestinians a state Responses: 313 Bush, in Jerusalem: Israel is our strongest friend, ally in Mideast Responses: 164 Plan to put synagogue in heart of Arab East Jerusalem likely to be approved Responses: 100 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range Responses: 74 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is trying to change the world, for the good Responses: 38 More Headlines 01:00 Olmert: Israel is committed to stopping Gaza rocket attacks 01:08 Ashkelon residents fume over IDF deactivation of alert before strike 02:09 Senior defense source: 'Israel on collision course with Hamas' 20:22 Gaza rocket hits Ashkelon mall; several people hurt 00:41 Bush: We must be firm in face of those who murder the innocent 00:34 IAF airstrikes in Gaza leave two militants dead, four wounded 21:32 Messer may be witness for the prosecution in Olmert probe 16:30 Palestinians clash with IDF troops during Nakba protests 16:54 Katsav's accuser requests face-to-face meet with ex-President 20:10 Haifa court orders five convicted rapists to pay victim NIS 1.2 million 12:33 As fighting flares up, Lebanese cannabis growers expect a bumper crop 18:30 Kissinger at Peres conference: Timetable needed to combat global nuclear threat Previous Editions Select Day 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved