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PATRON:
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DAME JUDI DENCH
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HH THE BEGUM
AGA KHAN
Copyright Children of Peace;
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THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES
Supporting Good Causes Worldwide
In this article, Laurie Kaye, Chairman of the UK Friends of the Abraham Fund Initiatives
outlines the importance of interfaith cooperation and coexistence in the Middle East.
Israel's Arab Citizens - how the Abraham Fund Initiatives is meeting the challenge
The Abraham Fund Initiatives is a charity in Israel which has been working for more
than 20 years with both the institutions of the Israeli Government and with Arab
citizens of Israel to build a shared future for Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens
based on the principles of Diversity, Equality and Interdependence. It believes that
the vast majority of Israelis - both Arab and Jewish - understand that there can
be no viable alternative to peaceful coexistence and co-operation between all of
Israel's citizens. Not now and not ever.
A shared future based on equality and co-existence is a secure future. It is consistent
with Jewish values. And if education and employment standards of Arabs in Israel
can continue to rise, this will bring social and economic benefits to Israel as a
whole. Furthermore, it will be proof to its neighbours in the Middle East, and the
world at large, that Israel 'walks the talk' of democracy.
Through a series of initiatives in the field of education, training and social action
(see "Putting theory into practice"below), TAFI creates models of shared citizenship
which the Government and other agencies can take up, so bringing about lasting, institutional
change.
The UK Friends of The Abraham Fund Initiatives is a registered charity and was formed
this year to raise awareness in the UK of the issues facing Israeli Jews and Israeli
Palestinians to provide support to TAFI. It will be formally launching later this
year.
Putting theory into practice
TAFI recognises the challenges it faces, which many may think are idealistic and
even unattainable. So how does it go about its work of bringing about real and lasting
social change?
It does this by working on a number of major Program Initiatives which are designed
to prove to both communities that co-existence and equality can work to the benefit
of all. One of these initiatives is 'Language as a Cultural Bridge'. This aims to
mandate the teaching of conversational Arabic language and culture in Jewish public
schools. Launched in 2005, the programme now reaches nearly 14,000 schoolchildren
in more than 100 schools throughout Israel. The Jerusalem Post reported that an independent
study of the programme showed that Arabic education reduced stereotyping by Jewish
kids and that fear of Arab Israelis declined. 71% of children polled said that learning
Arabic would improve the relations between Arabs and Jews in Israel.
Other programmes include Government Training and Consultation, Transforming the relationship
between Israel's Police and the Arab Communities, 'Mirkam', a regional programme
to create a culture and practice of living in a shared society, Women at Work and
the creation of a Network of Coexistence.
