Hebrew site to present a variety of views from the Arab world

Jewish and Palestinian translators collaborate in a new project meant to offer a better understanding between the cultures.

NOVEMBER 30, 2019 23:14

A Jewish woman and a Muslim one hugging in the Ramallah Muqata'a (photo credit: LEON SVERDLOV) — A Jewish woman and a Muslim one hugging in the Ramallah Muqata'a

(photo credit: LEON SVERDLOV)

Due to the Arab-Israeli conflict, much of the Hebrew media coverage of Arab issues tends to be focused on security-related issues. This means that Israelis who don't learn Arabic are unaware of the greater dialogues happening all across the Arab world on a variety of other issues – for example, the views Hezbollah members take concerning feminism or how people in Arab societies treat LGBT people.

Dr. Asaf David, the founder and manager of Ofek, a new news portal in Hebrew that offers a wide coverage of issues from the Arab world, said in a press release that, "this is the first time a web-portal is created offering a humanistic view on our neighbors."

He added that while hostility and violence do exist, "they are a small part of what is happening in the Middle East."

Originating in the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem, the portal is supported by the New Israel Fund and the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation.