I am one of the founders of the HaBustan community in Nof HaGalil, which is a joint and mixed city of Jews and Arabs. I have been a dentist for 26 years and I own two clinics in Nof HaGalil and Netanya, working with six other doctors and a wide medical team.

The events of October 7th struck me with astonishment and pain. It is very difficult to remain calm in light of the horrors that took place and in light of the sight of the killing and harming of innocents regardless of origin, nationality, religion or gender.

After the events of October 7th, we at HaBustan decided to initiate some social moves that will improve community resilience and shared life in the city, by establishing joint night tours in the area, establishing an empathetic space that gives an opportunity to come and talk about feelings and hardships during this difficult time, as well as first aid courses in collaboration with the municipality and Magen David Adom, and many other activities and blessed initiatives.

We can all contribute to our resilience at this moment in several ways, first and foremost by insisting on continuous meetings and in-depth conversations, which always help to break down barriers and change prejudices. Working together and committing to common goals will also strengthen resilience and change both the atmosphere and reality for the better.

Our influence as a community is based on mutual responsibility and acceptance of one another as well as the differences between us, to build mutual respect, equality and social justice. Any action or conversation that is based on these values helps greatly to influence our daily lives for the better.

I meet people from all over Israeli society, representing the diversity in this country. I listen to worries, pain and concerns, and at the same time to the hopes and expectations, that things will become better in this country.

When you realize that we all have almost the same problems and feelings, then you realize that you simply need to create the appropriate platforms for a real meeting of open discourse and joint action for the benefit of all.

At the HaBustan community we always work on joint meetings, out in the field, simply doing things together for the benefit of the city, listening to each other with mutual respect, accepting everyone’s narrative with an open heart — while understanding the difference. We establish Arabic and Hebrew language courses for the community, women’s empowerment courses, nature trips for families and more, all to just bring us closer together.

In the current situation there is also an opportunity that must be used for the benefit of Israeli society. Out of this pain we need to know how to grow, and understand that we are destined to live together in this country despite the differences, or rather thanks to them.

Israeli society represents an amazing mosaic of cultures and languages. This diversity is an advantage that must be strengthened and used to create a humane society that respects and accepts everyone regardless of race, gender and nationality.