Coexistence in Judea and Samaria

There is no reason Israel should surrender Judea and Samaria and ethnically cleanse Jewish communities. If the western peace processors, outside anti-Israel leftist agitators, boycotters and jihad supporters weren't stirring the pot, perhaps things might just work itself out. There are Arabs who have no problem with the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria and work for Jewish owned businesses.

Ynet News:

Peace with a paycheck


Palestinians and settlers work side by side in dozens of stores, factories, wineries, and restaurants in West Bank. Tension exists, but hatred and anger left at home. Islands of co-existence located in sea of mistrust

Akiva Novick

Talks of boycotts alongside reports of violent "price tag" retribution policies. In pictures, one can see the hostility, the rage, in people's eyes. The words we hear coming from the mouths of politicians and leaders on both sides are indicative of a bitter conflict, the kind only God knows when and how it can be solved. However, in reality, it turns out that even in the land of moratoriums and boycotts, a quiet, authentic co-existence exists below the surface.

One hundred and thirty-four employees arrive at the Rami Levy supermarket in Shaar Binyamin every morning from around the area. Some of them come by bus from the towns of Beit-El, Kochav Yaakov, and Adam, while others, 60 in number, arrive in orange taxis from the villages of Hizma and Anata or by foot from the nearby Jab'a.

"We're kind of a family," said the store manager, Uzi Sharon. "There are no classes here. During the work, we forget what each person's extraction is. It really isn't important."


In one of the departments, Halef from Jab'a and Avi from Adam sit next to each other. Every interaction between the two of them is accompanied by a friendly hug. "He's like my big brother," said Halef, the department manager. "After all, we live just hundreds of meters from one another."

"He's my best friend here," said Avi. "If we had the option, we would spend every Saturday together with the families."

Ever since the supermarket branch was opened five years ago, Palestinians and settlers work there in a near idyllic state. Their friendships continue even after work hours, though it is usually the Palestinians that visit their Jewish friends and not the other way around.

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