(BLOG) Arab Intelligentsia Strive For Better Relations With Israel Despite Threats

"Arab actors, journalists and other intellectuals are defying their countries’ unofficial bans on working with Israelis and Jews – even amid threats – as they strive toward 'normalized' relations with their counterparts. The efforts have divided Arabs into two camps: those who defend reconciling relations with Israelis and others who favor boycotts or violence to further political goals.

In the meantime, Israelis have pushed ahead with their longtime attempts to strengthen cultural ties with Arabs as part of their goal of mutual acceptance and recognition.

In recent months, Egyptian actor Khalid Al-Nabawy became an unwitting lightning rod in this struggle after participating in the American film 'Fair Game' with Israeli actress Liraz Charhi. Although the actor said he didn’t participate in the movie for political reasons, he ultimately 'realized he would pay the price' for acting alongside Charhi"