In the midst of heightened tension between Israelis and Palestinians, one restaurant decided to give chickpea[ce] a chance. A hummus bar in Kfar Vitkin, Israel, is offering 50% off each plate of the chickpea paste at tables seating Arabs and Jews together.
The restaurant made the announcement on its Facebook page on October 13:
“Scared of Arabs? Scared of Jews? With us there are no Arabs, but also no Jews. With us there are human beings! And genuine excellent Arabic hummus! And Jewish, excellent praiseworthy falafel with free refill on every hummus, whether you’re Arabs, Jews, Christians or Indians. Special bargain: 50% discount on hummus to a table where Arabs and Jews sit together.”
מפחדים מערבים? מפחדים מיהודים? אצלנו אין ערבים! אבל אין גם יהודים… אצלנו יש בני אדם! וחומוס ערבי אמיתי ומעולה!…
Posted by חומוס בר – Humus Bar on Monday, October 12, 2015
Manager Kobi Tzafrir told The Times of Isreal that the move was a response to growing intolerance by both Arab and Israeli extremists and was a small step to bring people together. “If there’s anything that can bring together these peoples, it’s hummus,” Tzafrir said.
The kitchen is kosher, and therefore halal as well, meaning nothing can stop Arabs and Jews willing to dine together and bridge the gap on the hummus with stewed chickpeas and msabaha — warm chickpeas swimming in tahini.
הכירו את החבר’ה הנחמדים שאכלו בחומוסיה שלנו והזדמן לנו לצלם: בתמונה הראשונה ז’אנו מקיבוץ ברעם וטוני מהישוב ג’יש – עובדי…
Posted by חומוס בר – Humus Bar on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Tzafrir told Al Jazeera the initiative has been a success; the restaurant served three tables with Arabs and Jews on the first day alone. Some of the mixed tables have even opted to pay full price in a show of support of the initiative. “A lot of customers now say they have seen the post and they tell me they’ve come to support the idea. Some Arabs come with Jewish friends, some Jewish families come alone. They’re all saying good things.”
Though the offer was originally valid for just one weekend, the positive response has inspired him to continue with the discount, “maybe forever”.
It’s not only locals who have responded well to the initiative; the offer has been praised by people all over the world.
Let’s break pita together and enjoy one of the things that brings Arabs and Jews together – great humus! https://t.co/fyDfUDVIdR
— Jconnect (@DCJconnect) October 20, 2015
@aahronheim Hummus makes the world a better place! — Segrov (@segrov) October 19, 2015
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