Discover Peace on a Plate: New Israeli-Palestinian Restaurant in Paris Unites Cultures Through Cuisine

PARIS — A new restaurant called “Sababa, the Taste of Peace” opened in Paris, created by a Franco-Palestinian and a Franco-Israeli. Their goal is simple: use food to foster harmony.

The space is vibrant, decorated with Palestinian, French, and Israeli flags. Patrons enjoy dishes like hummus, falafel, and Gazan salad, all handmade. Chef Radjaa Aboudagga wakes up early to prepare meals that reflect a shared culture.

“Everything is handmade,” he says, while making “manakish,” a flatbread filled with cheese and herbs. The restaurant, born from the partnership with community group “Nous Reconcilier,” is open four nights a week until June.

Edgar Laloum, Aboudagga’s partner, expressed hope during the restaurant’s opening. He noted that the timing felt significant, coming alongside a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The menu features items beloved by both Palestinians and Israelis. “We share the same land,” Aboudagga emphasized, welcoming recent international recognition of a Palestinian state.

The restaurant sits in the Consulat Voltaire, a repurposed cultural space in Paris’ 11th district. Diners expressed that the three flags hung inside were a powerful symbol of unity. One customer, Raphael, mentioned, “It’s beautiful. We can all live together.”

Psychosociologist Joelle Bordet remarked that simply gathering in a shared space amid differences is remarkable. “It’s unique to be here together,” she said. Nour-Eddine Skiker, a peace advocate, echoed this sentiment, stating that “there is room for everyone” in this space.

As people waited for their meals, conversations showcased cultural collaboration: poetry readings in Hebrew, Arabic, and French are planned, alongside various discussions and concerts, all under the spirit of “joie de vivre”—a concept echoed in both Israeli and Palestinian cultures.

In today’s world, where division is prevalent, initiatives like these remind us how food can bridge gaps. With ongoing tensions, the restaurant fosters hope and connection through shared meals, showing that even in challenging times, community can emerge.

To read more about peace-building efforts, check out this report from the United Nations.

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