Page 36 - SAN REMO 100 - BOOKLET-08-04-20-Inner Pages-MB.indd

Elias Zarina (Israeli Christian) Co-Founders of the “Jerusalemite Initiative” <www.jerusalemitei.org>
& Amit Barak (Israeli Jew)

“In the State of Israel, years, Christians as a integral part of the State
Arab Muslims, Druze and collective have preferred to of Israel and its society.
Christians serve freely ‘sit on the fence’ and some This trend is reflected in
as Members of Knesset even supported anti-Zionist the growing numbers of
(parliament), hospital parties and movements. Arabic-speaking Christians
directors, Supreme But Zionism is the modern choosing to volunteer for
Court judges, as well as expression of the Jews’ military, police and national
professional football players unceasing religious identity, civilian service (not required
in the national team, to and for many Christians in by law).
name a few. However, most Israel today, it has become
of these achievements are a an example and even a Bridges between Jews and
result of individual careers motivation. With many Christians in Israel are
and not a collective effort. Christian communities being built, based on true
throughout the Middle East partnership rather than
For the past seven years, now under threat, more and isolation. There is still a lot
there has been a historic more Christians in Israel of work to do, but this can
shift among Arabic-speaking are standing up and saying only be completed as a joint
Christians in Israel. For publicly that they are an effort.”

Dr Mordechai Kedar Lecturer in Arab culture, Bar Ilan Univ. <www.palestinianemirates.com>

“The Middle East is roughly Ras al-Khayma, Sharja sectarian groups (Sunna,
divided into two kinds of and Um al-Quwain). The Shia…). The successful
states: the failing states failing states are fragile –and therefore peaceful–
(Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, heterogenous conglomerates states are homogenous,
Sudan, Algeria and others) of clans, ethnic groups each one is based on one
and the successful states (Arabs, Kurds…), religious clan. A Palestinian state
(Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, groups (Muslims, Christians, will inevitably be another
Abu-Dhabi, Fujaira, Ajman, Alawis, Druze, Yazidis…) and failure due to the clannish

34 SAN REMO 100