The Emirates News Agency publishes news items in several languages. And as of a few days ago, Hebrew is one of them. For Israelis, it is an extraordinary source of information to familiarize themselves with their new friends in the Middle East. This, together with the official Twitter account of the Emirati Embassy in Tel Aviv, enables Israelis to learn firsthand and in Hebrew what their Emirati friends are interested in, how their society functions and what their hopes are for the future.

And this works both ways. Head of the Israeli mission in Abu Dhabi Eitan Na’eh makes sure to frequently post messages in Arabic. Clearly, both sides want to get through messages of peace between societies, not just between governments.

This desire for peace between peoples and societies was concretely manifested April 4, when Morocco’s Ambassador to Israel Abderrahim Beyyoudh participated at the Mimouna celebrations in the southern town of Yeruham. Beyyoudh arrived to the event — celebrated by Jews of Moroccan origin — dressed in the traditional Moroccan attire. He then addressed the public in native Moroccan-Arabic. "Do you understand me?" he asked the participants, who nodded vigorously in approval. Some of them were born in Morocco, others had heard since childhood their parents and grandparents talk in the language of their homeland.

Yeruham’s Mayor Tal Ohana posted on Facebook after the event, "Sharing with you the adieu words [of Beyyoudh], the beginning of a wonderful friendship, of a very special person, thanking you all for the warm welcome you offered him."