Bridge Over the Wadi

Directed by Tomer Heymann & Barak Heymann

Sometimes children can show adults just how simple understanding between Israelis and Palestinians can be. A group of Arab and Jewish parents decide to establish a joint bi-national, bi-lingual school in the Arab village, Ara. Following the school’s first year reveals just how fragile the attempt to create an environment of co-existence is.

In 2004, Arab and Israeli parents embarked on a joint initiative to establish a bilingual elementary school in Kara, a village in Israel’s Wadi Valley. Some fierce debates preceded the opening of the school in September of that year. Although the initiative was idealistic and noble, the reality of it was that parents still had some major hurdles to overcome. In addition, they were forced to defend their decision in the face of opponents and skeptics. The school, which is called Bridge over the Wadi, has room for 50 Jewish and 50 Arab students, but is located in the Arab part of the valley.

In a sober manner, the filmmakers observe how students, faculty and parents struggle to coexist peacefully during the first exciting year. Teachers spend a lot of time teaching mutual respect, and they arrange field trips to the mosque and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Some parents feel the reciprocal integration goes too far when students are asked to participate in each other’s religious festivities. An Arab teacher has more and more difficulties with what parents expect of her. By the end of the year, it would appear that they have succeeded in establishing a foundation, however shaky and unpredictable it may be.

In 2005, twice as many students signed up to attend the school.

Funding for ITVS International films is made possible by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation,the Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

More information about the film is available from the ITVS website.  Visit to learn more about Bridge over the Wadi at-a-glance.