The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) is providing more than NIS 1 million worth of food vouchers to needy Arab Israelis to help them celebrate the month-long Muslim Festival of Ramadan, as part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to build bridges between Arab and Jewish Israelis and thereby strengthen Israeli society.

The Fellowship will distribute the food vouchers, worth NIS 350 apiece, to 3,000 low-income Arab-Israeli families via 80 welfare offices in Arab and Arab-Jewish communities throughout Israel, with which it works year-round as part of its long-time commitment to aiding Israel’s Arab community. During the month-long festival from June 5-July 5, Muslims worldwide observe daily fasts and gather for nightly festive meals.

The Fellowship’s Founder and President, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, said the food aid is necessary because the Israeli government has not done enough to close social gaps between Arab and Jewish Israelis. “The investment in the welfare of minorities in Israel is critical for the development of feelings of belonging and mutuality between the communities,” Eckstein said. “Our studies clearly indicate that the more Israel’s Arab population feels treated equally by society, the more loyal they will feel to the state, including a willingness to participate in national service.”

Eckstein said the food assistance is especially important because the Israeli government has not done enough to close social gaps between Israel’s Arab and Jewish citizens. Eckstein cited the government’s own report by the Ohr Commission of 2003, which was a response to demonstrations in Arab communities in 2000 that ignited fatal clashes. The Ohr Committee said it was “urgent” to take immediate and long-term steps to close gaps between in education, housing, employment, industrial development and services between the Arab-Israeli and Jewish communities. The report called the social gaps the “most sensitive and important domestic issue facing Israel today.”

“Until now the state has spoken a great deal about this need but has done very little. It is important that the citizens of Israel understand that quality of life and feelings of equality among Arab citizens of Israel will ensure the security of the whole Israeli society and its future as a strong and moral nation. It is for this reason that The Fellowship contributes millions of shekels annually to help the Arab population,” Eckstein said.

“We would like to wish our Muslim brothers a ‘Ramadan Kareem’ with the hope that our contribution will make it possible for thousands of families to celebrate the holiday with dignity and joy.”

The Director of Social Services in the Arab-Israeli town of Rahat, Said Elobera, said the community is reeling from poverty, unemployment, youth at-risk and nutritional insecurity, while some children even suffer from malnutrition. Some families even convince their children to fast during Ramadan so they can receive a meager meal during evening meals that actually harm them.

“The IFCJ’s activities helping needy families, during Ramadan and throughout the year, save lives and save children from hunger,” said Elobera. “The Fellowship has been assisting us for over a decade, and we are extremely grateful for their support.”

The Ramadan food assistance is part of The Fellowship’s year-round assistance to the Arab-Israeli community. This year The Fellowship has earmarked NIS 20 million for Arab-Israeli assistance, including the “Fellowship Fund” or “Kupot” that, via welfare bureaus in 77 Arab-Israeli cities and towns, provide basic emergency necessities such as food, clothing, medicine, transportation to healthcare, and more to Israel’s Arab citizens.

The Fellowship also operates the “With Fellowship and Dignity” program, which provides assistance to needy elderly including food, medicine, winter heating fuel, companionship, clothing as well as summer activities for children. For the past 15 years, The Fellowship has maintained tens of programs for the needy and elderly, children, youth at-risk and more in Israel’s Arab community, totaling more than NIS 160 million.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)