The Arab Jewish Demonstration Against Violence

Last night I attended one of the most moving demonstrations to take place in Israel in recent years. It was a Jewish–Arab demonstration against violence and crime within the Arab population—a tragic phenomenon that the Israeli government shows no interest in stopping; quite the contrary.

Last Christmas, when I visited Nazareth to see the Christmas celebrations, I heard from local residents that many of their friends and relatives—especially Christians—have left the city because they no longer feel safe. Some have moved to Nof Hagalil, the neighboring town, while others have bought homes in Greece and Cyprus. They said that they still come to work in Nazareth, but that they have moved their families away.

Last night, almost a week after the last deceased hostage was brought to burial in Israel, Arab citizens of Israel came to Tel Aviv to protest the deaths of so many people from their communities, as well as the apathy and incitement of the Israeli government. It was clear that the organizers of the demonstration were well prepared and had learned a great deal from the experience of the past three years of civil protests and the struggle to bring the hostages home.

When we gathered in Tel Aviv Museum Square, formerly known as Hostages Square, there were already thousands of people dressed in black, carrying black flags and posters with photographs of murdered Arab citizens. It was an extremely well-organized and dignified gathering. We then began marching toward Habima Square. As darkness fell, it was impossible to distinguish individual demonstrators; we appeared as one vast black mass.

Everyone was careful and well-behaved, so as not to give the police an excuse to use force. To be fair, the police were careful as well. No one used the opportunity to carry Palestinian flags, which are not allowed. It seemed that Arab citizens were determined to hold a successful demonstration against violence, without unnecessary provocation.

I felt that this was a historic moment, and I was extremely glad to have taken part in it. This is only the beginning of the civil struggle against crime and violence. Let us hope that our apathetic government will take notice.