Tackling touchy topics

ARIEH O’SULLIVAN THE MEDIA LINE

A Jewish man holds a sign that says “Temple Mount.” Next to him stands a Muslim Arab holding a similar sign claiming the sacred mountaintop in Jerusalem. They fight over a third sign that reads “In my hands.”

A crowd gathers. Some look concerned. Is this a real-life struggle? But, soon, people realize it’s just a show. These actors are trying to open the minds of Israelis and Palestinians.

Translating politics and sensitive issues into street theatre, however, can be challenging and in the downtown streets of Jerusalem it can also be risky. During these late summer days, Jews spend time reflecting on the destruction of the Temple, first by the Babylonians in 586 BC and then by the Romans exactly 1,940 years ago. It’s the most sacred site to Jews.

Meanwhile, Muslims believe the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this very same spot, claiming it as their own.

Jews and Muslims have fought over it much like the two actors in the street. But what if they could find a way to share it?

“I guess it means we are fighting over nothing, but then really ... everything. I imagine if there had been more people here, it could have gotten a little dangerous,” said one bystander named Deb. “Although perhaps that is also part of the idea.”

The Interfaith Encounter Association put on this show with Jewish and Muslim actors as part of their promotion of peace and coexistence in the Middle East through interfaith dialogue. It is an apolitical grassroots organization comprised of Jews, Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths, operating dozens of interfaith groups, including regular Palestinian-Israeli encounters.

“Street theatre is a very strong medium and we should use it with this strength,” said Yaron “Sancho” Goshen, director of the show. “Theatre and street theatre are not only for entertainment. It is not only a clown show – very nice, ha-ha, fun in the street. You can use it to bring to the street change, to change something in the street life now.”

His minor role in the three-man show took people by surprise. Dressed as a municipal street cleaner, he meandered in to sweep up the remains of the signs that the Muslim and Jew had ripped up. He handed the two a sign that they then held together, which read, “In our hands”; next to them, he placed a painting of the Temple Mount that showed all faiths praying there together.

“Our goal is to change the common conception of the Temple Mount from a place of conflict and strife and turn it into a source of inspiration, peace and coexistence,” Goshen explained.

The actor portraying the Muslim man, Jawad Ared Elgany, said he was compelled to take part in the street play by its provocative topic. “I’d be careful saying this was entertainment, since it is a very sensitive and volatile subject. Everyone is bringing their baggage to it, but we showed through pantomime how one can help the other,” Elgany said.

“I felt the crowd was interested. There were, of course, those who said, ‘What are you joking about? This will never work. It’s surreal and not suitable!’ It is enough that we make people think about this. I’m not saying they have to agree, but to [try to] think of a solution,” he said.

Organizers at the Interfaith Encounter Association say they believe that rather than a hindrance to peace, religion must be a leading force in promoting mutual understanding, respect and trust. They say they plan to perform the show, called God’s Holy Mountain, in East Jerusalem as well.

Despite their good intentions, some bystanders complained that there was no program to read and not everyone could understand the performance.

“I enjoyed very much the performance,” said Joseph Zernick, one of those bystanders. “However, I believe that the veneration of the holy sites in Israel and Palestine is idolatry and I also have some different version to the end.”

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