Locals

Twenty percent of Israel's population are Palestinian Arabs, i.e., those who remained inside Israel's boundaries following the 1948 war. These people are locals, rooted in their land and communities. They are citizens who are integrated into the state's economy, politics and culture, but are excluded from "the Nation". Authors Sarah Ozacky-Lazar and Yoav Stern embarked on a journey intended to get to know their Arab Israel neighbors through their personal life stories, dreams, and hopes for the future. Ozacky-Lazar and Stern found people yearning to be listened to, citizens who reject any suggestion to be separate from the state or their land. Despite the harsh difficulties, it was hard to compete with their optimism. Their life stories create a fascinating mosaic of individual-personal narratives, a kind of oral history, one that does not appear in textbooks. This is not a "representative sample" or an "opinion poll," but rather, a collection of in-depth conversations with private individuals from different walks of life. For the authors, this journey constitutes a mission. They see the Arab citizens as neighbors and partners, with a fierce desire for mutual respect, trust, and strong affinity. The authors believe with all their hearts that there is a way to reach a common understanding. Regarding their work, Ozacky-Lazar and Stern passionately assert, "This book is another small step in the arduous path toward a better future for all of us, the locals, in our shared homeland." Here's a listing of the interviews you will find in "Locals":1. We're building, not playing cards - Hashem Abd Al-Rahman Mahajne, Umm Al-Fahm2. If only the entire world looked like Neve Shalom - Marwah Jbara Tibi, Taybe/Neve Shalom-Wahat Al-Salam3. I want to get into the Knesset - Alaa Aghbariya, Umm Al-Fahm/Katzir4. Designer of Memory - Mustafa Kabha, Umm Al-Kutuf5. Yes! We got it! - Makhluf Ghanaiem, Baqa Al-Gharbiya6. Five-star Occupation - Abir Kopty, Nazareth/Ramallah7. Hebrew, a love story - Ayman Sikseck, Jaffa 8. Tel Avivian Pride - Adeeb Awad, Haifa/Tel Aviv..9. I know every corner of Manhattan, but Iksal is my home - Mohammad Darawshe, Iksal10. Barta'a is an independent state - Laila Kabha, Sufian Kabha, Barta'a11. I have no idea where I got the strength - Hana Firo, Daliat Al-Carmel 12. The blended ones - Bruria and Faisal Jbeili, Jaffa & Nazareth/Haifa13. I'm too Arab - Ayman Odeh, Haifa 14. I came to change the world - Odeh Bisharat, Yafi'a15. I couldn't hug mother - Mukhles Burghal, Lod16. Pomegranates & lilies - Attallah Mansour, Jish/Nazareth17. We are ineligible for marriage - Nawaf Masalha, Kafr Qara18. The burning match - Mahmoud Kays, Nahaf/Haifa19. Executive Shari'a - 1948 Track - Ahmad Juma', Sulam20. I'm a Muslim Arab and proud to represent the State on the Israeli National soccer team - Mahran Radi, Sulam 21. One of ours, but not one of us - Amir Abu Raya, Sakhnin 22. A wreck of a car - Eid Sarahin Azazmeh, Beer Hadaj23. Perhaps you'll try too? - Soraya Fanadka, Kafr Qara24. Peace provocateur - Sabri Jiryis, FassutaDR. SARAH OZACKY-LAZAR is a researcher of Arab society and its relationship with the state, a veteran activist for peace and shared society, and a research fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. YOAV STERN is a business entrepreneur and social activist, a former journalist, who served as a correspondent for Arab society in Israel in Haaretz, newspaper and a commentator on Arab media.