For the first time as an Arab Israeli, I can feel the government's concern for the Arab sector – or rather, the government's concern that the Arab sector may "complicate" things for the rest of the country with respect to the global pandemic.
The first coronavirus outbreak in mid-March saw Arab localities exercise exemplary adherence to the Health Ministry's directives, even against the backdrop of the holy month of Ramadan – a time traditionally characterized by large family gatherings.
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Morbidity figures were lower than expected, but once the restrictions imposed on public life were lifted, the Arab sector – like the rest of the country – began believing the worst was over; that the risk of infection was quelled and that life as we (almost) know it can resume.
Fast-forward a few months and this assertion has been debunked. The second wave of the coronavirus has been racing through Israel relentlessly and Arab towns have been painted "red," as coronavirus commissioner Professor Ronni Gamzu would say.
The main culprit is mass gatherings: tens of thousands of weddings are held each year between April and October – many of them featuring festivities that last for days and include hundreds of people – and no one observes social distancing, making for one long infection chain.
Now, as morbidity figures spike daily, collective consciousness is once again wary. But alongside this concern, distrust has also reared its head.
Perhaps we should thank the corona crisis for finally giving the Arab sector some much-needed attention: details on how the sector is doing open the evening news, senior state officials visit remote Arab communities, and the Home Front Command is fully available to all Arab mayors. None of this, however, is out of pure concern for the wellbeing of Arab Israelis – it actually has far more to do with authorities' concern for the rest of the country.
This is very clear and this is what inevitably breeds distrust: when the corona pandemic threatens to spill over into Jewish society, all means are permissible for rapid containment and treatment, as well as uncompromising enforcement. However, when the government has to deal with the surging crime and violence plaguing the Arab sector – then it can take its time.
The feeling that imposing a lockdown on Arab communities and increasing enforcement to combat the pandemic is more punitive than preventative is inevitable.
There is an overall understanding that any attention given to dealing with an issue that affected Arab society stems from the desire to prevent the neglect from becoming a burden to the rest of the country.
The lesson here is that dialogue is key. For any plan to work, community leaders on a local and national level must be made a part of the decision-making process.
Only dialogue – not arbitrary orders issued without rhyme or reason – can foster the type of cooperation we saw in mid-March. Public diplomacy is imperative for government measures to be seen as helpful rather than forceful.
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