Rabbi David Willig
Unless you are a Kahanist (and if you are, I can only say that it ain't happening) whatever borders are drawn, there will be Arabs on the Israeli side of the border. Whether Jews will be allowed in the Palestinian State is a question above my pay grade. My question is how do we integrate the Muslim and Jewish population, so that hatred is dissipated and, eventually, respect and friendships are encouraged.
The answer is sports. Every school, as a condition of receiving government funding, must sponsor basketball and soccer teams at every grade level, from 3rd grade up, and these teams must compete at least 6 times a year, Jew Vs. Muslim. I am aware that it will require substantial police and army involvement at the beginning to make this happen, but it will be a very good investment.
It is hard to hate people who you compete against on the playing field. You see the other guy as a person, not as a devil. I see the program growing to include Chess, as well as track and field, which like American summer camp Color Wars, should include everyone. At the very least, it will give Arab children a healthier method of channeling their anger than throwing stones. (See the NY Times)
I foresee a long term change in Muslim, and Jewish, attitudes toward the “other”. It will not happen overnight, but at worst, it can do no harm. Let's give it a try.
For most Israeli's, the army is the melting pot that breaks down hatred. It happened with the Yemenites and Morrocans. It is happening with the Ethiopeans. Shared experiences lead to mutual understanding. This does not mean eliminating all prejudice and bigotry, just the hatred that makes living together impossible and unconceivable. Let sports be the shared experience that can serve as a common language.
PS I am not looking to include the Hareidi schools in this plan, for many reasons that should be self explanatory, but religious zionist schools should be included.
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