Jerusalem SOS

In Jerusalem, Jewish and Arab paramedics cross psychological and geographical divisions between the city's residents. 

By Witness 
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2012 15:19 
Courtesy Of "Al-Jazeera"

Filmmaker: Keren Ghitis

Between 1948 and 1967 a border separated Arabs living in East Jerusalem from Jews living in the rest of the city.

Today, much of the city's Arab population remains in the east, while the majority of its Jewish population lives in the west.

Although they are free to do so, few residents move between the city's Arab and Jewish areas. In the minds of most, the border that separated Jews and Arabs 40 years ago still exists today.

Witness follows Jewish and Arab volunteer paramedics who choose to cross these boundaries. 

Hezi, a Hassidic Jew, has been working for United Hatzalah, an emergency service run by orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, for more than 15 years. In 2010, the organisation started employing Arab paramedics and Fadi joined to improve first aid services in Jerusalem's Arab neighbourhoods.

In Jerusalem SOS, we follow Fadi and Hezi as they traverse Jerusalem, providing first aid at all hours to the city's residents.