Arabs and Jews in Israel: A Letter
Moran Tal
August 3, 2014
Haifa Israel

Dear Ayala Shalom,

I am sorry that it has taken me a few days to send you this e-mail. I was occupied with trying to fill our home with warmth and love, which are in short supply these days.

As you know I am a Muslim Arab woman, the daughter of two Jewish (non-biological) parents, and married to a Christian Arab. It is very difficult, uncomfortable and kind of a shock to hear and read such racist slogans on the street these days that proclaim death to my parents, or proclaim death to me, my husband and his family from the other side. The current popular sentiment in the country is that all Arabs are murderers, and all Jews are war criminals who kill children.

Israel is our home (Arabs and Jews). How is it possible not to guard our home and its residents? Until recently I thought that we are two civilized nations that reached an unshakeable point in our relationship. But to my great sorrow, since the beginning of this war, this belief has been lost and gone because we have allowed terrorists to control us, and turn us against each other.

The relationship’s situation now have reached rock bottom between our two nations. My family and me are the best example for co-existence, how can we live otherwise?

I have no other country and no other home; yet I am terrified in my own house, it is no longer a home. Where would I go? Where can I go? Why suddenly some of my friends have forgotten my humanity and categorized me, “All Arabs are terrorists,” never the less my other friends says:”You are a Jew and all Jews are war criminals and killers of children.

As you know we have been living in Haifa for the last six years. Haifa had a reputation of a co-existence city, for many years. Jews and Arabs have lived side-by-side, neighbors. But the war has changed it for the worst; neighbors are afraid of neighbors now, people with whom shared food and morning coffee a couple of weeks ago. Jews boycott Arab businesses and Arabs boycott Jewish businesses, it is a disgrace and shameful.

I am going to end now, because if I go on, it will take me days and days.

Good night.

I am sending hugs and much love.

Moran’s letter is published here with her permission

Translated from the Hebrew by Ayala Emmett