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By Maha Elgenaidi, Founder and Executive Director (Bio)
August 27, 2024
The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. Families have lost dozens of loved ones to relentless aerial bombings, and those who have survived are suffering from severe malnutrition and hunger. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 40,000 Gazans have been killed. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, while countless others remain trapped beneath the rubble, their fates unknown. Meanwhile, Israeli families endure the agony of waiting, hoping for the safe return of kidnapped relatives, while others are grieving the loss of their loved ones.
There seems to be no end in sight to this crisis. In fact, it may spread even farther to other parts of the Middle East, with some fearing it could continue well into 2025. For those directly affected and their loved ones, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by despair, anger at the inaction of leaders, guilt for not being able to do more, and numbness in the face of ongoing death and destruction. These emotions are entirely valid. I have friends who’ve lost dozens of family members in Gaza and are still recovering from grief and trauma. As the war continues, every day is a reminder of the unimaginable loss they’ve suffered.
If you’re around someone suffering from these feelings, it’s essential to offer them support, to help ease their anxiety or to empower them to work towards ending the crisis through political and civic engagement. It’s critical, however, that we don’t allow anger and frustration to be misdirected toward ordinary Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, or Israeli Americans. Instead, we must channel our efforts towards ending the crisis, constructive actions, and mutual understanding.
Role of interfaith councils should be peacemaking, not escalating crises
Recently, we hosted an ING Muslim-Jewish panel on Islamophobia and antisemitism at an interfaith council meeting with over 50 attendees. It was the first in-person (as opposed to virtual) panel since October 7, 2023, something I had avoided due to concerns about linking these discussions to the crises in Gaza and Israel. Unfortunately, those concerns proved valid as the conversation broke down into accusations against Jews for Israel’s retaliation.
The Jewish speaker and I had delivered this panel many times before, to much larger crowds. We informed the organizers beforehand and reiterated to the audience that we would focus on the impact of the crisis on hate crimes and discrimination against Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, and Israeli Americans—not the crisis itself.
Our seminar began with definitions of Islamophobia and antisemitism, their effects, and strategies to counter both. After I finished speaking on Islamophobia, the Jewish speaker described historical and intergenerational trauma using a personal story about an unexpected visceral reaction to hearing German spoken by armed guards. She did this to contextualize the strong reactions some Jews have to things like protest marches with bullhorns and chants.
Before she could finish, three protesters interrupted her, one shouting, “How dare you say you’re being triggered by protests when Gazans are dying,” and continued with accusations about Palestinian suffering. Despite attempts to respond, the shouting intensified, leading the audience to chant, “listen or leave.” One organizer suggested we hear the protesters out, prolonging the unfolding chaos even further. It took 10-15 minutes before they were removed, although their shouting continued from outside for another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the Jewish speaker, shaken but composed, finished her presentation.
The experience was traumatic, driven by anger and hate directed at both of us. While peaceful protest is a right, targeting all Jews for Israel’s actions is wrong! We must recognize the trauma both communities face without invalidating each other’s histories. Listening, even if we don’t share the same stance, fosters understanding.
I’ve dealt with Islamophobic disruptions before, but organizers typically acted swiftly to remove offenders. Here, the interfaith council seemed to have set the stage for this breakdown. We later learned that they invited the protesters and expected us as guest speakers to handle an out-of-control situation, showing more sympathy to the protesters than addressing the issue.
It felt like we were invited not to speak on Islamophobia and antisemitism but to mediate the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. Many in the audience were pro-Palestinian activists, and despite our clear focus on the U.S. context, they seemed more interested in the Middle East. I later recommended that Palestinian representatives be invited to speak on their own experiences in a separate event.
After we rushed through the rest of the presentation, one organizer commented that “the protesters just wanted to be heard.” It is not the duty of those facing harassment to manage hate against them while others stand by.
While I appreciate support for Palestinians, it shouldn’t come at the expense of marginalizing Jews or ignoring the rise in antisemitism. At the same time, support for Israel should not come at the expense of marginalizing Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims or ignoring the rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Advocacy for justice should be rooted in the pursuit of peace and respect, not the escalation of tensions. Addressing the Palestinian-Israeli crisis requires respect, empathy, and a commitment to peace. Here are some suggestions on how to approach this effectively.
Holding difficult conversations
Since 2007, ING has delivered Muslim-Jewish panels addressing shared concerns like Islamophobia, antisemitism, workplace and school accommodations, and maintaining religious identities as two of the largest religious minorities in the U.S.
Since October 2023, we’ve held nearly a hundred panels titled “Honoring Our Shared Humanity: Understanding and Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism” that are tailored to institutions struggling with the needs of their Muslim and Jewish members in the current climate.
For interfaith councils and community groups, we also emphasize the importance of fostering bridge-building conversations. Here, I will outline a guide to facilitating challenging discussions, such as those involving the Middle East conflict, in a way that promotes understanding, empathy, and peace.
Before starting any dialogue, it’s crucial to establish a shared, values-based framework for the conversation. This framework should be co-created by all participants, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring that everyone has a stake in the process. As you develop this framework, there are several key considerations to keep in mind.
First, articulate common values that transcend cultural boundaries, such as a shared desire for peace, justice, security, and human dignity. Emphasize the universal principles of human rights for both Palestinians and Israelis, while avoiding taking sides or demonizing any group. The focus should remain on the well-being of all civilians caught in the conflict.
Set a tone of respect and empathy by establishing clear guidelines for dialogue. Participants should agree to engage in active listening without interrupting, seeking to understand rather than to debate. Encourage the use of “I” statements to express thoughts and feelings, rather than accusations or inflammatory language, and recognize that this issue is deeply personal and emotional for many, including those with family impacted by the conflict or those who have historical ties to the region.
It is essential to avoid framing the conflict in zero-sum terms, where one side’s gain is viewed as the other’s loss. Instead, encourage participants to think creatively about solutions that honor the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis. Address and challenge any extremist or hate-driven narratives while making space for the more nuanced and peaceful voices from both communities. Encourage participants to reflect on their own biases and preconceptions and to acknowledge blind spots, which can lead to more honest and open conversations. So, make sure to provide education on Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and antisemitism to deepen understanding.
Acknowledge the power imbalances in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis by discussing the roles of military, political and economic disparities. This can lead to more honest and informed conversations. To ensure that all participants feel equally heard and respected, facilitate an environment where no voice dominates, and marginalized perspectives are uplifted.
In addition, plan to celebrate moments of understanding or shifts in perspective, even if a grand resolution isn’t achieved in a single discussion. Recognize that peace-oriented discussions about the Palestinian-Israeli crisis are long-term processes that require ongoing dialogue, not just one-off events. Building understanding and trust takes time.
When beginning the dialogue, provide historical context and education that acknowledge the multiple narratives surrounding the crisis. Offer educational resources or invite experts to give a balanced overview of the history of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, helping participants understand its complexity and multiple perspectives. Avoid reductionist explanations that blame one side entirely or ignore multiple regional and international influences, including the U.S. government. Encourage participants to share personal stories or experiences related to the conflict, rather than focusing solely on political arguments. Personal stories humanize the conversation and allow for greater emotional connection. Focus on the real-world impact of the conflict on everyday people—Palestinians and Israelis alike—by highlighting stories of families, children, and communities affected by the violence. Also, draw attention to any existing peace and coexistence efforts between Palestinians and Israelis, such as grassroots peace organizations, to inspire hope that peace is possible.
Finally, provide practical paths forward for what Americans can do to support peace in the Middle East. Move beyond discussing problems and explore potential solutions, such as two-state solutions, confederation models, or shared governance ideas. Although these topics may be controversial, discussing them constructively can foster collaboration. Explore conflict resolution models, such as restorative justice or reconciliation commissions, as frameworks for how peace could be pursued. Emphasize the need for reconciliation processes that focus on healing wounds and building trust, rather than only stopping the violence, which is also essential. Discuss ways in which justice, accountability, and healing can be integrated into peace efforts. Based on these discussions, develop strategies for advocating for peace in the Middle East through political and civic engagement that considers the rights and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.
Supporting peace and justice between Palestinians and Israelis requires intentionality, patience, and a commitment to understanding the complexities of the situation while prioritizing empathy and justice for all parties involved.