Is lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians an impossible dream?
Two Voices: our weekly Progressive Judaism debate:
Is lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians an impossible dream?
• Rabbi Sybil Sheridan says…
The enormous pain and suffering we have witnessed in Israel and Gaza over recent weeks might lead one to think all hope for a lasting peace is lost. But despite this, I hope that peace is indeed possible. It is important ordinary Israelis and Palestinians have the opportunity to meet, to speak and to engage with one another face to face.
This is not always easy. I am certain ordinary Palestinians in Gaza do not support the firing of rockets into Israel, but they are unable to speak out under Hamas rule. Nevertheless, in the long term we must find another way to move forward and I believe the only way is one based on dialogue.
The Movement for Reform Judaism supports organisations dedicated to building bridges – both between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs and between Israeli Jews and Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza. All we can do is support the people of goodwill, those dedicated to relief of suffering and those dedicated to building relationships of trust across the divide.
Much is outside our hands, but small gestures of caring and support are always possible and so, I believe, is a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
• Rabbi Sybil Sheridan is chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis UK
• David Karat says…
The current events are tragic for both Israelis and Palestinians and hide the extensive efforts by community and faith leaders, here and in the regions, to build bridges between our peoples.
For example, the Cambridge Co-exist Leadership Programme is dedicated to improving relationships between the Abrahamic faiths, bringing together faith leaders for a year-long course of dialogue and learning. My participation in this means that yes, I dare to dream that a lasting peace is possible. The past decades show that violence and war will not provide a victory to either side. The only victory is peace for both sides.
I believe this is not just a dream; it is the embodiment of enlightened self-interest and just may be achieved if and when the voices rejecting violence and extremism on both sides synthesise into a single message demanding peace from their leaders.
Now is an opportunity for citizens on both sides to use every peaceful means possible to impress on their leaders that they reject violence and wish to give to each other the opportunity to live in peace with and next to each other. A vote for violence or extremism is a vote to expose future generations to further suffering.
• David Karat is a trustee of the Movement for Reform Judaism
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
