In Israel, where 20% of the population is Arab, voices are being raised for unity, despite the horror of recent clashes. In Acre, in one of the country’s most famous restaurants, Jews and Muslims work together.
Published
Reading time :
1 minute
:quality(50)/2023/11/09/processed-ee4009d4-72ef-4059-9613-3c4ec8db95dd-v6n4hwau-654cb53bdcca6506991085.jpeg)
Is dialogue still possible after a month of war and thousands of deaths? In Israel, some refuse division. This is the case in the north of the country in the historic center of Acre. A Jewish restaurateur employs Muslims from Palestine.
Uri Buri is one of Israel’s most famous restaurants, on the waterfront near the historic walls. In this working-class, predominantly Muslim neighborhood, Uri Jeremias, the boss, lingers behind the counter. “It is quiet” he emphasizes. Her kitchen is brand new. Rebuilt after the fire of its restaurant, attacked for the diversity it represents, during previous Israeli-Palestinian tensions. “What we are doing in this restaurant is a proof of the concept: accept and respect!, continues Uri. YOU you have Arabs, Christians, Muslims, Jews… Anyone who wants to work is welcome.”
Since the start of the war and the near threat from Lebanese Hezbollah, the restaurant has only been filled to 10% of its usual attendance. The fridges are barely full, but employees like Shahan continue to serve. On the menu that day, mushroom soup: “It’s a mixture, different kinds of mushrooms, different kinds of characters. Food and people have to be mixed.” UA fragile mix, like an anomaly 200 meters from the Jewish quarter, the city seems cut in two.