The rise of violence between Palestinians and Israelis has escalated this month straining a region where wider conflict is causing the largest human migration in history, and raising fears of a third intifada. But headlines don’t ever tell a complete story. Check out how a tiny cafe is working to promote reconciliation by rewarding tables of mixed ethnicity diner with deeply discounted Middle Eastern meals.
The owners of Hummus Bar, a cafe in the M Mall in Kfar Vitkin near the coastal town of Netanya, posted the following message on their Facebook page last week:
מפחדים מערבים? מפחדים מיהודים? אצלנו אין ערבים! אבל אין גם יהודים… אצלנו יש בני אדם! וחומוס ערבי אמיתי ומעולה!…
The post generally translates to, “Scared of Arabs? Scared of Jews? With us there are only people! And genuine excellent hummus!” So far it’s attracted over 6,300 likes and 1,600 shares.
The restaurant is offering a 50% discount on hummus to any table where Arabs and Jews elect to sit together. Manager Kobi Tzafrir told the Times of Israel, “If there’s anything that can bring together these people, it’s hummus.”
News of the meal deal spread quickly online, picked up by the London Independent, Buzzfeed, and newspapers and blogs in the US and EU. A marketing ploy for sure, but – as with the newlyweds who shared their wedding feast with 4,000 refugees – it is also a sweet way to take a stand against hatred and division.
We all have super-powers to make a positive difference in the world. Go out today and work yours.
Images from Humus Cafe Facebook page
