Some people regard Israel as evil. Others defend it as if it can do no wrong. As ardent opponents of the occupation who see no contradiction between being pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian, we know that some of what Israel’s critics say is true. And some of what its defenders say is also true.
Our goal is to present a third narrative, to weigh the claims and counter-claims in this ongoing debate in order to help those who want to pursue peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Tough Questions
Featured Posts
Israel accelerates ‘annexation revolution’ in West Bank
While the world has been focusing on the Gaza war, Israel’s right-wing government has taken alarming new steps to expand West Bank settlements and their infrastructure.
One chant increases the fears of both Jewish and Muslim students
Study reveals how and why Jew and Muslims felt physically threatened on campus during protests over Israel’s war against Hamas
Dueling Narratives, Shared Histories
Paul Scham examines how Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews interpret specific historical events differently.
Recent Posts
Lebanese-Canadian Plea for Dialogue & Peace
“I came to understand that the current conflict is not all black and white as some people paint it. I learned how important Israel is to Jews worldwide, especially in the present times, why it had been created, but also how Israelis had been affected by the past decades of intermittent war with its Arab neighbours.”
A Palestinian on Salvaging a 2 State Solution
A veteran Palestinian activist embraces the Olmert/al-Kidwa plan for a two state solution. He outlines a key need for both Israelis and Palestinians to “gain control over their violent tendencies.”
Olmert-AIKidwa Outline for a Two-State Peace Agreement
An unofficial agreement between Israel’s one-time prime minister and an ex-foreign minister of the Palestinian Authority broadly outlines what a two-state peace agreement could look like.
Parents of Oct. 7th Hostage Appeal for Ceasefire Deal
Transcript and video recording of the DNC speech of the parents of an American hostage in Gaza. The video includes the supportive emotional reaction of the Convention audience.
The “Zionism/Anti-Zionism” Debate: Bad for Israel, Bad for Palestine
For as long as I can recall, a feverish debate has been waged about the merits and demerits of something called “Zionism” and another something called “Anti-Zionism”. For many years, I’ll confess, I was an active participant. Now, though, I find the argument to be not only aimless drudgery, but a framing that primarily serves the most extreme viewpoints on either side of the Israel-Palestine question and that entrenches a binary zero-sum game mentality.
A ‘Solidarity Visit’ in Wartime
There are pitfalls to “solidarity tours” of Israel in the wake of October 7th; this one tried, albeit imperfectly, to avoid them. The trick is to cultivate compassion and understanding for both Israelis and Palestinians at this terrible time.