Jiser Az Zarka is an Arab village located between Kibbutz Magan Michael and Cesaria along the Mediterranean Sea. A few days ago we had the pleasure of visiting the town and its picturesque beach. The serenity of the beach is beautiful, but anyone with a business eye would soon notice the lost opportunity to attract tourism to this costal town. Unlike the rest of the Israeli Mediterranean coast, the beaches of Jasar Az Zarka are undeveloped. In part this is due to the poverty present in town; yet building up the beach industry in Jiser Az Zarka could be one step in lifting the village from its poverty ridden state.
After our visit to the beach, joined by students our own age who live in the village, we were invited into the homes of 2 residents for dinner and to hear their stories. Ahmed Juha is a man who saw the potential in bringing tourism to Jiser Az Zarka and decided to take the first step. And so Juha’s Guesthouse was born. Juha’s Guesthouse is the first and currently the only hotel in Jiser Az Zarka. Slowly but surely it is beginning to draw in tourists.
When Ahmed told us his story, and his goal to build up tourism and save his village from poverty, we were all touched. ICNext is about engaging others with Israel, all parts of Israel. “Engagement” is a broad term, and our program allows us to interpret it in different ways. After our meeting with Achmed and his family several of us began to think about how we could help. Engaging with Israel means engaging with all sides of Israel, and although Jiser Az Zarka is not a Jewish village, it is still an Israeli village. Many of the people to whom we spoke in Jiser Az Zarka feel alienated from the Jewish Israeli community even though they are Israeli citizens. Ties between Arab Israelis and Jewish Israelis have always been strained, with animosity and racism on both sides. Improving the lives of those living in cities like Jiser Az Zarka in addition to the poverty ridden Jewish areas is only one step towards improving all of Israel, but is a step we can take.
Some of us ICNexters have decided to help Ahmed bring tourism to Jiser Az Zarka as one of our projects for next year. We aren’t sure what form this project will take, but we are excited about engaging with this other side of Israel. We want to help Achmed and his community. Not only is it a noble cause, it is also a part of our duty as Jews and as citizens of the world to help those who are in need.
If you wish to contact Juha’s Guesthouse:
Juha’s Guesthouse
Neta Hanien +972-52-8824570
Ahmed Juha 052 8622088
[email protected]
www.zsrqabay.com