The first month of 2026 has come to a close.
The year began amid difficult events and a painful reality: the wave of violence in Arab society continues and is intensifying, the sense of abandonment is deepening, and the absence of an effective systemic response leaves entire communities to face these challenges alone. This is a deeply disturbing and bloody reality that exacts a heavy toll on the personal security of a significant segment of the population and affects society as a whole. Alongside the unrest within Israel, uncertainty regarding Iran persists, together with the expansion of government actions to deepen control in the West Bank.Yet within this complex period, with all its challenges, we are also witnessing courageous civic resistance, a determined struggle for safer, more equal, and more just lives, and resolute action for change. At the Rossing Center, we continue our work across a wide range of educational and community initiatives, guided by a belief in the power of joint action to create change and to lay the groundwork for a better future for all of us
Some highlights from this past month:
“Foundations for Change” Program retreat:
A retreat was held for participants in the Foundations for Change program—an initiative aimed at integrating education for peace, dialogue, justice, and equality into schools and the broader education system.
The retreat included workshops in the field of spiritual accompaniment and addressed—through an innovative interfaith dialogue model—the central spiritual and moral dilemmas at the heart of the conflict. In addition, participants engaged with the annual process of education for partnership, exploring how it translates into concrete action within the education system and into a structured educational model. Through the development of an educational framework that includes clearly defined goals, measurable indicators of success, and a structured work plan, program participants are actively transforming the way education for a shared society is currently practiced in schools.
Participants shared that the very existence and activity of a mixed group that thinks and acts together gives them hope and a sense of shared purpose. They value the Jewish–Arab encounter and are deeply motivated by a sense of mission to foster hope and partnership in the shared public space and within the educational processes in their schools.
Ramle City Tour for the Women’s Group at the Open House
As part of the Open House women’s group activity, the group went on a tour of the city of Ramle. The group is bringing together Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian women, who all live in Ramle. They meet weekly to build a shared meaningful discourse around identity and dialogue within a shared urban space.
The tour was led by Vivian Rabia, Head of the Education Department in the Rossing Center and a resident of the city of Ramle.
Through the tour, the participants explored the city’s history, visited historical sites and neighborhoods, examined the urban space—what is visible and acknowledged within it and what is not—and reflected together on how history, institutional policies, and spatial planning continue to shape the city today. Participants shared that, despite having lived in Ramle their entire lives, the tour introduced them to new places and stories and offered a new perspective on the city: its rich history and impressive architecture, alongside infrastructure gaps, the events of 1948, and the erosion of Arab cultural presence and identity within the urban space.
The participants noted that the tour strengthened their sense that Ramle is full of beauty and potential, and that in order to realize and highlight this potential, there must be recognition and inclusion of all communities living in the city. They emphasized that Jewish–Arab cooperation is the path toward creating a diverse and equitable shared urban space.
We also want to let you know that our webinar recording is now available on our YouTube channel so whether you missed it, want to watch it again, or share it with other people, you can do so now in the link below:
Webinar recording
To conclude, We call on the authorities to act against criminal organizations and provide a systemic response to eradicate violence on the streets.
We will continue to act in partnership and with responsibility, striving to offer an alternative and to build a shared, equal, and just society for all.
