April 13, 2026 | Source: Friends of Givat Haviva
Through Others’ Eyes During Iran War
Through Others’ Eyes During Iran War
“What’s amazing is their resilience,” says Jenan Halabi, coordinator of Givat Haviva’s Through Others’ Eyes (TOE) photography program for Israeli Arab and Jewish high school students. The teenagers “participate, hold the sessions together and demonstrate courage and an inspiring inner calm.”
The transition to online lessons after the war with Iran began on February 28 went smoothly. It was not the first crisis to interfere with the routine of Givat Haviva programs and activities nurturing Jewish-Arab understanding and cooperation in Israel. After dealing with Covid, October 7 and the war in Gaza, “we now have experience and tools we didn’t have in the past, the ability to quickly transition to online learning, adapt content, and maintain group cohesion even under complex conditions,” she says.
Still, “teaching photography on Zoom is a significant challenge. There is no substitute for in-person meetings, working with cameras, and the hands-on experience,” states Halabi. “At the same time, we are able to facilitate learning through presentations, analysis of work, exposure to exhibitions, and creative and social activities.”
And in contrast to the tensions between Arab and Jewish citizens that emerged after October 7, nearly every Israeli has been vulnerable to missiles from Iran and Hezbollah.
“Interestingly, there currently is no tension among the TOE participants. It is precisely this reality that has created a bond. They feel they are in the same boat,” notes Halabi, adding that for this year’s TOE participants “there is a combination of accumulated fatigue alongside resilience and a more developed ability to cope.”
Due to the security situation, however, completion of the photography assignments for the current school year and the planned exhibition of students’ work is delayed.
Amidst a lack of clarity about the conflict with Iran, and other tensions in the region, defining what is considered “normal” is a constant challenge.
“I have hope, but it is a sober hope,” Halabi says. “We are not waiting for things to return to normal. We are trying to create a sense of normalcy as we go along, even if it is partial and fragile.”