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Writer's pictureMirit Sulema

Building Bridges in Akko Through Sports: A Jewish-Arab Encounter

Amid the ongoing war and tensions, Dror Israel's associated youth movement HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed (NOAL) recently organized a special sports encounter between Jewish and Arab teens in Akko, aimed at fostering unity and mutual understanding. This initiative is part of an ongoing series of joint activities between the Jewish and Arab NOAL branches in the city, with the goal of creating meaningful connections in a shared space.

During the event, 20 teens—half from the youth movement's Jewish branch and half from the Arab branch—participated in various sports challenges designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration. Led by sports teacher Moataz Jamal, and supported by NOAL coordinators Fatma Higazi, Nadav Raviv, and Amara, the participants worked together to overcome obstacles, strengthening not only their physical skills but also their relationships.


One of the participants, Harel, reflected on his experience:

"To tell you the truth, it was harder to choose to take part this year with the war and everything. But when the activities started and we played together, it was really fun. At the end of the day, we're all just teens who want to live here and that things will be okay. I wish everyone could meet over sports and for other positive reasons."


This event was more than just a day of sports—it was a powerful reminder of the resilience of young people and the importance of fostering connections between communities. In a city as diverse as Akko, programs like this offer a glimpse of hope, showing how shared activities can help bridge divides and build a foundation for a more united future.


As we continue our programming in Akko, these encounters are a testament to the belief that, even in challenging times, meaningful interaction between youth can create the fabric of a shared life and a stronger community.

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