Core-existence

The concept of coexistence, which is sometimes used to embellish the situation in the country, remains in the headlines and does not reflect the daily lives of the residents. The education system is separated and differs from one nation and one religion to another. The residential areas are also sometimes separated, even in mixed cities. In most cases, the languages also do not mix, and a second language is not used, especially during childhood and up until adulthood. These are only some of the factors that cause a distance that limits one’s understanding of others. Many of us are not exposed to different cultures and communities at all and receive most of our information from the media.

Many advantages are realized by coexistence, however. For example, exposing people to different languages and cultures from a young age encourages a different life experience and can reduce social tensions. The berm between the village of Jesir Al-Zarqa and the city of Caesarea was chosen as a case study for a physical and mental barrier between communities, which when viewed from a different angle, can become a critical experiential space.