This Shabbat I experienced a unique aspect of Israeli life that would only have been possible through a program like ICNEXT. Along with my host family, we explored the fresh-water springs of the Emek Hamayanot region (literally, The Valley of the Springs). What was once a quiet oasis has been built into what more closely resembles a water park.
As my host brother, Nir, and I approached the water, I noticed him becoming apprehensive. After some coaxing, he quietly explained that, “there are too many Arabs here.”
The springs are open to anybody who wants to come, and hundreds of Arab Israeli families had decided to come enjoy the water that day. Just like us, they had come with their families for fun and relaxation. When I pulled Nir aside and asked why he hated the Arabs, he told me it wasn’t hate, it was disgust.
Later, I had the opportunity to sit with Nir’s father Chaim and have a conversation about the same topic. What surprised me was how open he was about the issue. While he admitted that racism is broadly accepted in Beit She’an; it was clear he didn’t see it as a problem in the same way that we see racism as in issue in Cleveland. When asked whether he agreed that Israel does not do enough to improve relations between Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis, he told me that claim is bullshit. Here in Israel, he explained, they [the Arabs] have the most freedoms and rights of any Arabs in the Middle East. In addition, they do not have to serve in the Israeli army. According to Nir’s father, if they don’t want to be active and kind members of society, they should move elsewhere.
As I questioned the kindness that I had received from Nir and his family over the past few days, a group of Arab Israeli teens began to play soccer in front of Nir’s father and myself. At first I could not understand the scowl on his face, but as I watched, my understanding grew. In a small space, these teens were completely disregarding any kind of safe play, and I saw three times his young daughter Noa almost get smacked in the head by a soccer ball.
Each time they almost hit his daughters, Chaim made a move to tell them off. His wife put a hand on his shoulder and whispered in Hebrew not to do anything stupid. I asked why not say anything, and Chaim explained, “They will never learn. We don’t have the energy to start a fight.” The Arabs, meanwhile, laughed it off and didn’t to come over and apologize. Nor did they stop playing or tone down the violence of their game.
To be completely honest, I am not sure what it was that I saw yesterday. On one hand, I witnessed a generational, bred-in-the-bone racism, passed from father and mother to son. I’m sure Nir’s younger sister is not immune to the dislike either, and will soon begin to show it as well. On the either hand, I witnessed a lack of respect on behalf of the Arab-Israelis, and an attitude of superiority and disdain from both sides.
I do know that I witnessed first hand one of the least discussed issues in contemporary Israeli life. When we return to Cleveland, I want to make sure that this issue is discussed, and not swept under the table the way it sometimes is here.