Straight Talk on the Conflict in the Middle East

In June 2018, Uriya Rosenman, an Israeli Jewish educator and creator, initiated the social project ‘Lets Talk Straight’. Inspired by American artist Joyner Lucas’s video ‘Im Not Racist’, Uriya embarked on a journey to meet and interview Arabs and Jews across Israel, learn about extreme and racist opinions existent in society, and develop them into a blunt Jew/Arab rap-battle music video. After two years of independent work, understanding the projects’ potential and the importance of its authenticity, Uriya decided to add an Arab partner and reached out to Palestinian rapper Sameh SAZ Zakout.

Sameh and Uriya collaborated for a year, talking straight about history, war, family, trauma, and the Israeli-Palestinian reality; writing new lyrics and inserting Arabic to the project. After three years of creation, the project was ready and immediately published on their personal social media in a holistic timing – during the peak of the May 2021 riots between Jews and Arabs in Israel.

The project immediately went viral, aggregating 5 million views on social media and reaching hundreds of millions across the world through articles in CNN, BBC, NYTimes, and many other media outlets. After their project successfully served as a mirror to society and evoked an honest civil discourse about the existing hatred, discrimination, and necessity of a shared life, Uriya and Sameh decided to formally join forces and establish a social movement called DUGRI. 

“Dugri” comes from Arabic – meaning straight. Israelis and Palestinians both speak their minds. Straightforward talk with no apologies. For better or for worse… you will know exactly what they think. Dugri is a social venture that brings Jews and Arabs together by creatively echoing a new moderate Israeli-Palestinian narrative. The idea is to use honest and straightforward thought leadership as a tool to reconcile with the past, and to form a grassroots movement of young moderates who believe in a mutually beneficial future.

Join us for music, storytelling and a brutally honest and open discussion about the conflict in the Middle East. Our presenters will connect the story about the formation of the group “DUGRI” to the current reality and potential future of Jews and Arabs in Israel and Palestine.

*Presented in partnership by Boulder JCC, Congregation Bonai Shalom, Congregation Har Hashem, JEWISHColorado

Monday, March 20 | 6:30 – 9 pm | FREE

6:30-7:30 pm Uriya and Sameh present the Straight Talk project

7:30- 8:30 pm Refreshments and Discussion