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Interview Questions for Helmi Kittani

Please tell me a little about your background and how you got involved in this work.

What do you mean by you wanted to be more involved in “public activity”?

Could you describe the different things you do at the Center for Jewish Arab Economic Development?

Do you think it is easier for women to work together in cooperative activities between Jews and Palestinians?

Was it difficult to convince people to invest in the technological incubator project in Nazareth? What did you tell them in order to get their support?

When did you begin working on projects that cross the Green Line?

How are you working to accomplish your goals now?

What is the hardest thing about establishing personal and professional relationships between Palestinians and Israelis in the joint business program?

You are a businessman. You probably didn’t think of yourself as a psychologist.

With all the absence of trust today, is it possible to convince people to work together, to invest together?

As an Arab Israeli, do you have a specific role in this process?

Do you have children?

What do they do and what do they think about your goals?

Which comes first, relations between Jews and Arabs within Israel or the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Do you still live in Baka?

How do the people of Baka relate to your ideas about establishing joint businesses?

How does the conflict affect your life?

Do you not have a doubt that this process is not moving fast enough?

How does the wall affect your work?

Do you travel to Palestine? Do you attend meetings in Palestine?

Do you see signs of hope?

Which international society do you think has the biggest influence?

What are the biggest misunderstandings of the international community concerning the situation here?

What does the word “peace” mean to you?