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Rivlin calls for greater Jewish-Arab coexistence in Jerusalem

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Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin called yesterday for “open heart surgery” in Jerusalem to encourage a more peaceful existence between Jewish and Arab residents side by side.

Speaking at an event with residents of Jerusalem’s Kibbutz Ramat Rachel and the nearby Arab neighbourhood of Sur Baher, Rivlin reminisced on his own childhood in Jerusalem recalling that Arabs spoke Yiddish while Jews spoke Arabic. Today however, Rivlin said “Jerusalem is one, but there is no disputing there is inequality in Jerusalem,” with many of the city’s Arab residents living in underprivileged neighbourhoods. He continued, “Jerusalem is in need of open-heart surgery… to mend the rifts and gaps between its Jewish and Arab residents… between the two parts of Jerusalem in education, infrastructure, learning of languages, and employment, is a crucial mission for sake of the future of the city, and of all of us.”

Since taking office last year, Rivlin has repeatedly promoted equality between all Israelis as key to the country’s future. He reiterated yesterday, “A Jewish and democratic state is not a democracy just for Jews, but a Jewish democratic state, democratic and Jewish in one utterance.” He said that healthy relations between residents of Sur Baher and Kibbutz Ramat Rachel are evidence that “We are not doomed, but destined to live together.”

Earlier this month, Rivlin told a major policy conference that “Israeli society is in need of a wake-up call” due to the demographic changes taking place, including a growing Arab population. He described “a ‘new Israeli’ order” where “there is no longer a clear majority nor clear minority groups.”

The issue of coexistence was also underscored last night after a suspected arson attack at the Church of Loaves and Fishes near Lake Kinneret. In Christian tradition it is thought to be the site of Jesus’ miracle of the fishes and loaves and the church houses rare, ancient mosaics. Little damage was caused by the fire, but offensive Hebrew graffiti was found at the site.