Mayor de Blasio talks peace with Arab, Jewish students

17 Oct 2015

Mayor de Blasio talks peace with Arab, Jewish students

"It's a painful moment here in Israel. It's a moment when I'm certainly here in solidarity with the people of Israel. But at the same time we have to think of every way to support those who are trying to move things forward — and look to a day when...

JERUSALEM — On his first visit to Israel as mayor amid heightened tension in the country, Mayor de Blasio stressed the need for peace while meeting Jewish and Arab families whose kids go to school side by side.

"This is an example of the way forward,” de Blasio said after meeting kids and parents from the Hand in Hand school.

"It's a painful moment here in Israel. It's a moment when I'm certainly here in solidarity with the people of Israel. But at the same time we have to think of every way to support those who are trying to move things forward — and look to a day when there is greater understanding."

Hizzoner arrived in Israel at a time of high threat. More than two dozen attacks in recent weeks have killed at least seven Israelis, mostly in Jerusalem. There were three more stabbing attempts Saturday morning, and all three attackers were killed.

He met students and parents from the Hand in Hand school as they were touring an olive grove and vineyard at the Mony Winery in Beit Shemesh, outside Jerusalem.

The school brings Jewish, Arab Israeli and Palestinian kids together in the same classrooms, teaching in both Hebrew and Arabic. It is a rarity in Israel, where education is usually separate.

De Blasio said he was struck to hear parents and kids alike say they did not have any friends across cultural lines until joining the school.

"The Jewish children did not have Arab friends and Arab children did not have Jewish friends. And that level of separation obviously makes it hard to move forward," he said. "Now because of the school they're actually sitting down at the same table and breaking bread. That's inspiring."

De Blasio shared a toast in both languages — "Saha" in Arabic and "L'Chaim" in Hebrew — with a group of parents and kids seated around a table nestled in a cave at the vineyard.

"Kids grow up in this country being scared of the other. No matter if they're Jewish or Palestinian, they're scared of the other," said Bali Streett, the mom of three kids at the school, who is Jewish.

"Kids growing up in this community, they're not scared," she said. "They learn to respect each other."

Morad Muna, 35, said some of his fellow Palestinians in East Jerusalem have been puzzled by his decision to send his 7-year-old son to the school.

"Palestinians in East Jerusalem are occupied. They see the other side as the soldiers, the police men ... they feel that the other side is an enemy for them," he said, adding he thought it was a "big opportunity" that the New York mayor had chosen to listen to the views of Palestinians.

"We are two separate places. It's one city, but it's two separate places, East and West."

Hand in Hand was torched in an arson attack by right wing extremist Jews last year. CEO Shuli Dichter said demand for seats has exploded since then.

"We were a little worried last year because we thought this might discourage parents from joining us. But it was the other way around," he said.

Earlier Saturday, de Blasio had brunch with Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai at Manta Ray, a seaside restaurant in the city, dining on shakshuka and discussing the security situation.

"Innocent civilians are being attacked. It's undermining the sense of security in this country. And it's morally wrong," de Blasio said.

On a lighter note, Huldai gifted his New York counterpart with a beach towel, flip-flops and a paddle ball set as they joked about the superiority of Tel Aviv's beaches.

"Coney Island is wonderful — but you have something very special here," de Blasio said.

Later Saturday, de Blasio planned to visit victims of terrorist attacks in the hospital with the mayor of Jerusalem.

edurkin@nydailynews.com