I visited Israel few months ago and wandered into town (Tiberias) with my friend. I am Black British-Ghanaian and my friend is mixed race. It was midnight and we walked to a cafe/bakery for a coffee.
We were engaged by a devout Jewish chap in a lengthy debate on the Torah and Bible; most
heartwarming though was our chat with an Arab woman - a Muslim. She gave us a great education on the state of Israel and with great hilarity on her personal life (she'd been twice divorced and had no faith in men!)
She did emphasise that as much as she was a proud Arab, she was also a patriotic Israeli and was extremely affable.
Our conversation would pause intermittently as everyone said respectful "amens" to the Jewish chap who from time to time
would read loudly from his prayer book.
I am aware of the political difficulties in Israel and among different segments of the society, but to see this mix of different faiths and races having coffee and freely chatting at such an ungodly hour was a truly beautiful moment.
- Phil D.
