Arab-jewish Cooperation Seen Making Steady Progress

The movement for an Arab-Jewish rapprochement is making steady progress along the political, economic and cultural fronts.

An early meeting of leading Arab and Jewish personalities will be held to discuss informally the principles of a Jewish-Arab understanding. Government representatives have been invited to participate in the conference, called upon the suggestion of Vice-Mayor Daniel Auster of Jerusalem, who is a Jew.

With economic cooperation already making itself felt in the citrus industry, the spirit of rapprochement has been extended to cultural and educational activities. An important manifestation of this was seen in a broadcast over the Government radio, which for the first time in its history featured a Hebrew talk by an Arab speaker. The Arab, a teacher, spoke on ancient and modern Arab culture during the regular Hebrew hour.

There was an instant favorable reaction from Jewish listeners, who informed the radio management that they were delighted by the innovation and urged its extension. As a result the broadcasting authorities have decided to make cultural talks by Arab and Hebrew speakers a regular part of the program. Arabs will speak in Hebrew on Arab cultural subjects, while the Jews will speak in Arabic on Jewish topics.

It is hoped that the broadcasts will contribute much toward mutual understanding between the two peoples. At the same time attempts are being made to establish and intensify personal contact between Jewish and Arab educators. Recently, a group of Arab teachers from villages in the neighborhood of Lithuania visited Jewish schools in Nathania, where Jewish teachers showed them around their educational institutions explaining Hebrew instruction methods. Afterwards the Arab guests were entertained at a luncheon by the Jewish teachers.