Conflict Is Detrimental to Children and All Forms of Life.
These words were initially inscribed in 1965 by Jewish artist Lorraine Schneider as a reaction to the Vietnam War. This sentiment has always resonated with me. And now, an entire nation understands exactly how accurate it is.
Among all the interviews regarding the destruction caused by war that I’ve watched since October 7, nothing has affected me as deeply as the discussion featured on Channel 12’s news show.
Uvda
between released hostage
Eli Sharabi
And with anchorwoman Ilana Dayan, Sharabi recounted terrifying experiences of hunger along with physical and emotional torment inflicted by Hamas. He also recalled a poignant instance when he initially encountered fellow captives Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, and Almog Sarusi within the tunnels.
Hersh shared a phrase with us that resonated deeply and provided us with resilience, preventing us from losing hope. Although I only met him for two days, his words have remained with me all this time. He stated, ‘If you know the reason, you can always discover the way.’
Drawing inspiration from Victor Frankl, I’ve encountered numerous individuals for whom this principle serves as the driving force behind their daily pursuits.
Atrocities endured by Israelis and Palestinians
In Jerusalem, I serve as the education director for an interfaith youth organization involving Israeli and Palestinian children, along with being a correspondent for an Australian news outlet. Across these roles, I’ve encountered countless narratives illustrating how this conflict has devastated numerous innocent individuals. Some of my acquaintances have had their children abducted right out from under them.
Supernova music festival
And killed within pitch-black tunnels, and coworkers who lost their extended families in brutal airstrikes on Gaza. Consequently, my “reason,” my “motivation for life,” along with the cause that occupies much of my conscious time, is dedicated to doing everything possible to make sure this will be the final conflict upon this hallowed ground.
The query of “how” to guarantee that
Israelis and Palestinians
The thought of never enduring such terror again haunts me every day. Although I lack political influence or access to those who hold it, I can contribute my insights gained from overseeing countless hours of dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians. These interactions have shown me that among the various obstacles to achieving peace, the most significant might be dehumanization. This act of stripping people or communities of their humanity is pervasive, and it deeply saddens me.
Due to dehumanization, most people feel that the “other side” does not seek peace and mostly wishes for “our” side’s destruction. We often assume that members of the “opposite group” are dishonest unless their statements align with our greatest anxieties and preconceived notions about them.
Binge-consuming large volumes of divisive content on social media leads many individuals to fall into the trap of fundamental attribution error; we tend to view our extremists as extraordinary, whereas those on the opposite side are seen as archetypal radicals. Conversely, when Palestinians or Israelis—be it ordinary citizens or officials—voice desires for peace or understanding, they often get labeled as deceitful turncoats accused of misrepresenting their true aspirations. Consequently, an essential step toward transformation involves embracing a fresh perspective.
To coexist peacefully on this land, we each have to trust that once we decide to cease acts of aggression, the other side will also halt their violent efforts directed at us. Fostering and disseminating this mindset was crucial for resolving conflicts in Northern Ireland, and such an approach will be essential for achieving similar peace here.
For Jewish Israelis, this might entail revisiting the teachings of Rabbi Hillel from the Talmud, which stated, “What is offensive to you, do not impose on your neighbour.” As for Palestinian Muslims and Christians, it could include rediscovering the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings in the Hadith: “A believer does not fully believe unless they desire for others what they desire for themselves,” or reflecting upon the words of Jesus: “As you want people to treat you, so also should you treat them.”
This would entail having greater numbers of women in leadership roles, bringing a broader range of viewpoints and innovative resolutions to conflicts at the negotiation table, resulting in systemic alterations that ensure safety for everyone.
To halt the violence, we must trust that counterparts for peace exist on the opposite end, ready to seize common educational prospects and construct additional societal, spiritual, and governmental bodies grounded in fairness and parity. Unless we enhance firsthand encounters with harmonious living, we will continually revert to recollections of dread and animosity that have long tormented this region.
By 2025, it has become rare for those holding strong pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian stances to find common ground anywhere, be it within Israel or beyond its borders. However, an exception stands out: Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem serves as this unique meeting point. Daily, numerous patients come from various districts including Silwan and Isawiya all the way to Geula and the Katamonim area. Among them are East Jerusalemites lacking citizenship, ultra-Orthodox Jews, secular citizens, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people representing every part of the ideological landscape.
Inside the confines of the hospital, individuals might rest side-by-side in adjacent beds, dine together as fellow patients, or perhaps attend to each other under their professional capacities. This environment stays clear of conflict largely due to the ethos of impartial care—everyone receives attention irrespective of who they are. In my view, fairness serves as the bedrock upon which tranquillity rests. Expanding such spaces across Israel—from Eilat all the way up to Kiryat Shmona—where Israeli citizens and Palestinian people enjoy genuine parity—with identical freedoms regarding mobility, employment, education, and sovereignty—the higher our prospects for enduring harmony will be.
I hold this belief because my investigation into comparable global conflicts revealed that nearly all those settled amicably concluded with political accords eliminating major barriers to equity and justice. For such an outcome here, numerous old ideologies must be discarded, and new ones embraced.
For Palestinians, it implies accepting that Israelis of Jewish heritage do not represent colonization but instead hold a profound historic link to the region, acknowledging their legitimate security concerns which stem from actual experiences rather than merely being reactions to past atrocities like the Holocaust. On the flip side, for Jews, it involves recognizing Palestinians as an authentic national group deeply rooted in the area who possess an uncontestable claim to autonomy and liberty within what they consider their sole homeland.
Even though I currently lack the ability to persuade most individuals about these realities, I am convinced that aiming to make these ideals commonplace over the coming decade would be the best approach to avoid future conflicts and ultimately ensure peaceful coexistence and respect for everyone on this shared ground. ■
This excerpt is taken from the author’s forthcoming publication.
The Sacred and the Fractured: A Plea for Harmony From a Territory That Needs to Coexist
, published by HarperCollins. To find out where you can buy the book along with additional recommendations for reading materials and resources related to peacebuilding, check out the author’s website at ittay-au.com.
