Combatting Hatred and Incitement

3 December 2014

Earlier this week, the torching of Jerusalem’s bilingual Hebrew-Arabic school made headlines in Israel and beyond.  The Hand in Hand School – an NIF grantee – was burned and defaced with racist graffiti saying, “There is no coexistence with cancer,” ““Death to Arabs,” and other reprehensible statements.

Unfortunately, rising levels of violence and incitement have been plaguing Jerusalem – and the rest of the country.  Given the increasingly dangerous atmosphere, NIF/SHATIL is amping up its work to promote a shared society, tolerance, and inclusion in Jerusalem:

  • NIF made an emergency grant for a big event this Friday at the Hand-in-Hand school. Together we’ll bring a powerful message of shared society and inclusiveness.
  • Together with the Jerusalem Education Authority, the Jerusalem Foundation and others, SHATIL is organizing a conference on December 14 for West and East Jerusalem educators on coping with racism.
  • A “situation room” that encourages organizations to immediately respond to actions and expressions of racism on the part of the authorities is being established.
  • SHATIL ensured that a Knesset discussion on public transportation in Jerusalem would be attended by a representative of the Arab bus drivers’ union, who are striking after the death of a peer and in light of continuing harassment of the drivers. And following the request of several civil society organizations, the Knesset will discuss security arrangements for bus drivers working in conflict zones next week.