Tensions in Jerusalem during last month's Sheikh Jarrah dispute and Operation Guardian of the Walls resulted in a new wave of violence between the Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel’s mixed cities. As the chaos escalated, police were unable to quell the violence, so the Shin Bet was called in to restore order. The consequences were dire. People lost their lives, and Israelis of every background were subjected to harsh images of destruction.

Nevertheless, there were people who still refused to throw up their hands in exasperation and accept the dismal situation as a given. They responded with initiatives all across the country, intended to stop the unraveling of the delicate fabric that is Jewish-Arab coexistence and rebuild trust between the sides.

In the midst of all these riots, for example, the Sheba Medical Center hosted a gathering of Jewish and Arab medical staff and patients, along with some others. The gathering ended with a performance of “A Song of Hope” by Miri Mesika. The event really did boost morale. The participants were moved by what they had seen. Something similar happened at the HaEmek Hospital in the country’s north. Dozens of staff members, both Arab and Jewish, who are used to working together on a daily basis organized themselves spontaneously to sing an anthem to peace.

Unable to ignore the situation, Arab and Jewish local leaders in the central Sharon region released an emergency statement calling on residents to maintain the spirit of coexistence. Together, they signed a document reminding their constituents that coexistence is “our present and our future. We call on you to stand vigilant in its defense.” They also released a video clip on social media in which they declared “We are not enemies!”