Israeli Arab Sheikh Offers to Host Rocket-Battered Residents of the South
by Dave Bender
Jews aren’t the only ones offering lodging and R&R for southern Israel’s rocket-battered residents.
Sheikh Ahmed Ju’ame’, 32, of the Muslim Arab village of Sulam, near Afula, in Israel’s agricultural heartland, in recent days has publicly invited Israelis from the south and center of the country to drop by and try to unstress.
“I’m helping foster co-existence between us and the Jews, because, in he end, we’re all Israelis,” he told Channel 2 television on Sunday.
Ju’ame’ is inviting anyone over to his two guest rooms in his pastoral village.
“Whoever turns to us, will be most welcome,” he said, stressing that his village is not hostile to Jews, and that that he has no concerns of opposition by anyone in his community.
Ju’ame’ recently concluded studies in Islamic Sharia law at Hebron University and serves as a judge in a local Sharia court in Baka al-Garbiya.
While Ju’ame’, who himself is a Labor party member, admitted that there are elements within the Arab leadership that are inciting against Israel, he believes that “both sides must show restraint,” adding that “military force doesn’t solve anything.”
“The only way out is through negotiations,” he said.
Ju’ame’s offer is part of a larger initiative by northern residents to host those under ongoing rocket fire in the center and south of the country.