TV & VIDEO - June 1, 1988

Itzik, an Israeli version of Archie Bunker, can’t get used to having Arabs next door. His Arab neighbor can’t get used to Itzik. The pair, portrayed by an Israeli Jew and an Arab, are the central characters in “Neighbors,” a comedy series about a subject most people consider deadly serious: Jewish-Arab relations. The 70-minute pilot, produced by the Israel Television network, was broadcast Friday night; the series itself will be ready for the winter TV season. “Neighbors” is Israel Television’s first entertainment show in 20 years to approach such sensitive subjects as racism, prejudice, mutual suspicion and political enmity. An interesting facet of the show: The Israeli characters speak Hebrew, with Arabic subtitles, while the Arabs speak their language, with Hebrew subtitles.