Jews, Arabs Stand with Torched Coexistence School

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The message "There is no coexistence with cancer" was graffiti spray painted on the walls of one of the largest the bilingual Jewish-Arab schools in Jerusalem.

"Yad B'Yad" (Hand-in-Hand) is one of the few schools where Jews, Arabs and Christians study and play together in Hebrew and Arabic.  It's also the largest school of its kind in Jerusalem - most Israeli children study either in Hebrew or Arabic schools.

Last weekend, the school was set on fire in a suspected arson attack. Several classrooms were burned and many of the students' personal items and school supplies were damaged and destroyed. There was no one in the school at the time.

The attack took place against the backdrop of growing Palestinian terrorism in Jerusalem. Police suspect the attack was carried out by Jewish extremists in retaliation for recent violence.

On Friday morning, thousands of Jewish and Arab students from around the country staged a solidarity demonstration at the school.

One first grader told CBN News, "I am sad that my class was destroyed, but I'm also happy because we're getting a new classroom." 

"Things have always been tense in Jerusalem, but since this attack was so close to home and because it was my son's class it was one of the first times I felt vulnerable," the boy's father told CBN News. "But also I think it strengthens my resolve and my belief that these types of schools and these type of co-existence [programs] are the right way towards solving the conflict."   

The attack was condemned by Israeli leaders. 

"We will not allow pyromaniacs to disrupt our lives," Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said. "We'll continue to denounce the radicals and do all that's necessary to return quiet to Jerusalem."

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin invited first grade students and teachers to spend their school day at his home. 

During the day, Rivlin and his wife Nechama spent time with the children and staff, gave them morning snacks, and together made a banner saying, "Hand in Hand, we will continue together in love and peace," in Hebrew and Arabic. 

The children played football in the garden of the President's Residence and spent time expressing their feelings to the arson attack on their classroom and the loss of personal belongings.