Documenting coexistence: New docoseries highlights Jewish–Arab solidarity at work

The Histadrut has introduced a new documentary web series titled “Working Together – Living Together”, designed to strengthen Jewish–Arab partnership and foster tolerance in Israeli workplaces. This initiative comes at a critical time, following heightened societal tensions during recent crises.

Turning social media into a space for hope

The series showcases real-life stories of Arab and Jewish employees working side by side, overcoming challenges, and building trust through daily collaboration. Globally, social media has been flooded with hate and division, but as workers, we believe this space also belongs to us. Through this initiative, we aim to make our mark by sharing genuine, positive, and hopeful messages, content that reflects solidarity and unity, and serves the benefit of all workers in Israel. Each episode highlights how shared workplaces can become spaces of resilience and coexistence, even in times of national uncertainty.

Aziz Basyoni, head of the Histadrut’s Equality Promotion Department, launched the campaign less than three months into the war. He explains the motivation behind the project:
“In the first days of the war, right after October 7, I saw the number of inquiries from workers who didn’t feel comfortable in their workplaces, who felt the atmosphere was tense. Unfortunately, we are constantly experiencing times of crisis in this country, and with every crisis you feel the tension and discomfort in workplaces. The question that occupied us was: what is the role of workers’ committees? How do we build resilience among workers during routine times, before another disaster or another war happens?”

A vision for rehabilitation and partnership

The initiative goes beyond storytelling. The Histadrut is planning mediation training for workers’ committees to help manage conflicts during periods of national tension. It also aims to support sectors facing daily challenges, such as public transportation, where workers often encounter violence. These efforts reflect a broader strategy aimed at restoring trust and strengthening social solidarity.

For Basyoni, the project is part of a long-term vision:
“Israeli society needs rehabilitation after everything we’ve been through. Part of that rehabilitation is repairing relationships, building them on mutual responsibility and genuine partnership.”

The first season of “Working Together – Living Together” will feature six to eight short episodes, each focusing on a different workplace. This initiative is the result of a cross-departmental collaboration among the Equality Promotion Department, the Regions Division, and the Strategy and Innovation Division. Through these films, the Histadrut seeks to inspire dialogue and action—both inside and outside the workplace—toward a more inclusive and resilient society. You can see the first full video here.

Information for this article was taken from an article by Yaniv Sharon from Davar.