Arab-Jewish school near Jerusalem damaged in fire

The school is located in Neve Shalom, a joint Arab-Jewish community established to foster peace between the communities.

A view to Neve Shalom, Israel. (Wikimedia Commons/Howard Shippin)

By Cnaan Liphshiz September 4, 2020 11:02 am

(JTA) — A fire seriously damaged a Jewish-Arab school of the village of Neve Shalom near Jerusalem.

Firefighters extinguished the flames at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the local paper Bekitzur reported, and detectives from the police and the fire brigade are investigating how the fire started. No one was hurt in the blaze.

Neve Shalom was founded in 1969 by Bruno Hussar, a Christian monk who was born a Jew in Egypt. The community aimed to foster dialogue between Jews and Arabs. A few dozen Jewish and Arab familie, as a settlement for Jews and Arabs aiming to foster dialogue between the two main ethnicities in the population of the State of Israel. Its school uses both Arabic and Hebrew as languages of instruction.

The village has seen multiple hate crimes, including graffiti and the slashing of tires in 2012. It is also situated in a valley prone to brush fires and its residents had to be evacuated briefly in November 2016.

Support the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.

Donate