On the banks of Berlin’s river Spree, a bunch of younger individuals is gathered on the city village Holzmarkt, which was as soon as based by Berlin-based techno DJs. The get-together is one in every of many occasions for twenty-four representatives from Bahrain, Israel and Germany who’ve been invited to the German capital for every week of alternate. Their itinerary is filled with team-building seminars, a tour of Berlin, discussions with artists, workshops and talks. It additionally included a brief assembly with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Initiated by the German International Ministry and arranged by the Goethe Institute, the collection of occasions is supposed to encourage dialogue and alternate consistent with the 2020 Abraham Accords, which had been brokered by then-US President Donald Trump and are supposed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab international locations.
Among the many individuals are college students, docs, journalists and accountants, who’re all occupied with forging dialogue — regardless of the continued Israeli-Palestinian battle.
Establishing widespread floor
Ziv Berrebi is a pupil at Ben-Gurion College in Beer Sheva.
For Ziv Berrebi, a pupil from Beer Sheva in Israel, local weather change has been a uniting challenge. “We’re all human, we’re all college students; all of us see and take local weather change as a case that’s not about nationality or faith. All of us breathe the identical air, all of us drink the identical water.”
Others talked concerning the standing of girls of their respective international locations, together with evaluating job alternatives.
Group discussions usually led to the belief that there are in reality many similarities concerning music, artwork, language, historical past or tradition. The Lebanese singer Fairuz, for instance, may be very fashionable in each Israel and Bahrain. And each international locations additionally use the identical slang phrases, corresponding to “yalla,” which implies “let’s go.”
For Majed Jaberi, an accountant from Hamed City in Bahrain who offers in inventory buying and selling and cryptocurrency, digital entry of widespread markets was additionally a typical speaking level. “I noticed that there are individuals with the identical pursuits, and we’d collaborate sooner or later.”
Merely coexisting
Even when opinions diverged, understanding remained attainable. “We had fairly a distinct opinion over what an informal costume code means,” mentioned Ramos Farina, a member of the German delegation.
“But it surely’s OK to be totally different — simply because there’s a battle of views, you’ll be able to nonetheless coexist.”
Certainly, peaceable coexistence is among the many objectives of the Abraham Accords. The joint assertion, agreed by Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, seeks to advertise dialogue and peace within the area. After the preliminary creation, Sudan and Morocco adopted swimsuit in signing the accords and normalizing ties with Israel. For the reason that deal was struck, a trickle of official delegations among the many varied international locations has ensued.
In Berlin, individuals are optimistic concerning the change the accords can deliver.
“I believe it is good for the Center East and particularly Bahrain,” mentioned Jaberi.
Reflecting on his latest journey to Israel, he mentioned: “Within the media you solely see the struggle half and the issues. However while you go there, you see how persons are dwelling collectively, how totally different religions are multi function place, having their regular life.” He believes the Accords can deliver peace within the wider area.
Fetema Al Najem is a journalist and presenter in Bahrain
Bahraini journalist and presenter Fatema Al Najem can be supportive: “Bahrain is normalizing relations with Israel and I am completely with it. […] Bahrain and Israel have mutual pursuits, and each international locations are going to profit from this.”
Avoiding divisive discussions
When requested concerning the Palestinians’ criticism of the Accords, lots of the youth delegates had been reluctant to remark.
Their Israeli counterparts appeared a bit extra open. “I perceive this criticism,” says Berrebi.
He agrees that extra must be executed, however nonetheless believes within the Abraham Accords as a part of a concerted effort. “Our area is thirsty for such actions; however in parallel, there should even be options with our nearer neighbors.”
He hopes that the accords will create a sphere of affect round politicians on all sides to create such options.
Mentioned Berrebi: “I’m optimistic.”
Edited by: Sonya Diehn