At a time when divisions across Israel feel sharper than ever, it is worth pausing to share a story about restraint, responsibility, and the quiet work of preventing violence before it escalates.
For more than a year, violent tensions divided Eritrean communities in Tel Aviv around support for or opposition to the Eritrean regime. The consequences were severe, including repeated clashes and a deep sense of fear in daily life.
In May 2024, at the request of community leaders, JICC was asked to support “New Hope, Seekers of Life” in launching a structured reconciliation process between the two sides. Though our work is rooted in Jerusalem, we agreed because the community specifically sought our experience in navigating complex, high-tension environments. This was not about symbolism. It was about reducing violence and creating practical mechanisms to prevent escalation.
Beginning in July, we held separate meetings with each side, followed by joint discussions focused on the issues driving friction day to day: incitement on social media, freedom of movement in shared public spaces, and how to mark national days without provoking confrontation. Even after a serious violent incident on August 24, both sides remained in the process and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining calm.
A key milestone came on September 25, when Eritrean religious leaders and Ethiopian clergy joined a joint meeting and formally named the effort the Naomi Reconciliation Process, centering what is ultimately at stake: the safety and future of the community’s children.
The process did not erase deep political differences. But it achieved real cooperation to reduce incitement, contain tensions, and protect the possibility of shared life in the same city. Calm became possible.
At a moment when it is easy to assume that escalation is inevitable, this experience reminds us that structured dialogue, persistence, and community leadership can still make space for stability. And that is worth sharing.