Press

New York Times: Peace, a Forgotten Word, Renews its Claim in the Holy Land

Long derided as naïve, even traitors, the bridge builders between Israelis and Palestinians sense opportunity in the aftermath of the Hamas attack.

Quest for shared society in Israel involves Pittsburghers

Mohammad Darawshe, a leading voice in Jewish-Arab relations, and Director of Strategy at Givat Haviva, shares his decades-long journey of promoting a shared society in Israel. In this insightful talk, Darawshe discusses the challenges and opportunities for coexistence, emphasizing the need for dialogue and collaboration between all of Israel’s communities. His experiences and actionable insights provide a powerful look at how small efforts can lead to meaningful change. Click to explore his vision for a better, more inclusive future for Israel.

Every Crisis Offers an Opportunity for a Better Future: The Post-October 7 Work of the Givat Haviva Center for a Shared Society

After the events of October 7th, Both Jewish and Arab communities in Israel were deeply affected, with Jews experiencing fear and uncertainty, and Arabs feeling the need for seclusion to avoid backlash. Givat Haviva provided refuge for over 300 evacuees and adapted its programs to foster empathy and mutual understanding. Despite the challenges, programs like "Children Teaching Children" and "Shared Language" continued, promoting dialogue and respect between Jewish and Arab students. Givat Haviva also developed new initiatives to address the heightened challenges of the current situation, supporting academic institutions and creating opportunities for positive Jewish-Arab interactions. The organization remains committed to bridging divides and fostering a better future for all Israeli citizens.

Arab Israeli conflict-resolution activist helps keep the peace

After October 7th, Mohammad Darawshe quickly mobilized efforts to prevent escalation, organizing Arab leaders and promoting unity between communities. Givat Haviva provided refuge for displaced residents and established mental health support and arts workshops. Despite personal tragedy, Darawshe remained committed to fostering cooperation between Jewish and Arab citizens, advocating for initiatives like bringing Arab teachers into Jewish schools. He emphasizes the importance of genuine connection built on mutual interests and shared experiences, shaped by his own diverse education and mentorship.

Pathways To Peace: ALLMEP at the European Parliament

Last week, ALLMEP co-hosted an event at the European Parliament featuring five leading Israeli and Palestinian voices from our network for a panel discussion on civil society peacebuilding in the face of the current crisis. Hosted by the Greens/EFA Members of the European Parliament Jordi Solé, Margrete Auken, and Heidi Hautala, the event featured Amira Mohammed (ROPES), Anton Goodman (Rabbis for Human Rights), Hela Lahar (Tech2Peace), Mohammad Asideh (Project Rozana) and Muhammad Darawshe (Givat Haviva).

Receiving stories and wrestling with pedagogic tensions post-Oct. 7

Rabbi Laura Novak Winer discusses the challenges faced by educators in the aftermath of October 7th. She reflects on a recent trip to Israel with other educators where they met with community leaders, families of those taken hostages and organizations. One of the organizations the delegation met with was Givat Haviva.