Israel Speaks
The wealthy Mouslim village of Abu Ghosh is located some 10 km
West of Jerusalem.
The family of Abu Ghosh who moved to the village in the 17th century, -
came to Israel 100 years earlier with the first army of the Turkish
sultan Salim I.
Issa Gabber is the village's edu- cation and culture department head.
In the War of Independence in 1948 Abu Ghosh was the only Arab village
which did not fight against the Jews.
All the rest of the area's villages fought and were conquered.
In the relationships between Jews and Arabs Abu Ghosh has become
a symbol of peaceful coexistence.
The village's many restaurants fill up daily with Jewish visitors.
Ever since the beginning of the state, Abu Ghosh has never had
any problems in this area.
If you ask any person on the street, they don't make a difference
between Jews and Arabs.
We all belong to the same nation, and we live well side by side.
Particularly, in this restaurant we serve hummus, falafel and salads -
a typical Lebanese kitchen.
All food here is fresh and is served straight to the tables.
There are no leftovers, because we prepare the food upon ordering.
In this restaurant you don't get only food, but also a warm atmosphere
and good service.
We try to make the customers feel comfortable and happy
and without any tension.
We do this with all our heart.
It's not only business. This is how we show love and serve people
and make them feel good.
Prayer in the Mosque 11 am - 1 pm.
Please wear modest clothing
Although the village residents are faithful citizens of Israel, -
some of them have identity problems as Arabs in a Jewish state.
Only four out of Nada Alawi's seven children have Israeli citizenship.
The other 3 have chosen the Pales- tinian Authority identity cards.
That's why they often face problems with the Israeli bureaucracy.
The Abu Ghosh area has a tradition of holiness.
There was an ancient clerical village, Kiryat Jearim, which was on the
border of the tribes of Judah and Benyamin.
For decades the Ark of the Covenant was kept here before
King David took it to Jerusalem.
Monk Jean-Michel lives in the center of the village in
a Catholic Benedictine monastery.
Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day.
Now their cities were Gibeon and Chep- hirah and Beeroth and Kiryat-Jearim.
Joshua 9:17
And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was
wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing
up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
2. Samuel 6:14-15
In the Catholic tradition the vil- lage at the bottom of the hill was
considered the biblical Emmaus.
According to the gospel of Luke, Emmaus was located
about 11 km from Jerusalem.
And they were talking with each other about all these things which had
taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself
approached and began traveling with them.
Luke 24:14-15
On the biblical hill of Kiryat Jearim is the church of the
Ark of the Covenant. The first church was built already
in the 5th century. The current Cat- holic church is about 100 years old.
It belongs to the French order of Saint Joseph's convent.
During the Independence War the convent served as a hospital
for Jewish soldiers.
Sister Mary Cathleen came to Israel in the beginning of the 1980's.
For 3 years she worked as a nurse in Jerusalem after which she returned
to England. However, she came back to Israel after having first served
in other mission fields.
The Mouslim population of Abu Ghosh has the same tolerant approach to
the convents' Christians than to the Jews in the village.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and
has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
Ephesians 2:14
Translation: Sonja Mattayev