Thank you for sharing the conversation between Orna Guralnik, an Israeli, and Christine, a Palestinian (‘Many people would throw a tantrum at this point’: An Israeli and a Palestinian discuss 7 October, Gaza – and the future, 13 September). We believe these dialogues, though uncomfortable and sometimes triggering, are hugely important to fight the polarisation that we’re facing. We are two friends in London – one European Jewish, one Lebanese – grappling in our own way with the Israel-Palestine conflict. The 7 October attacks in Israel and subsequent war have deeply affected us both: one distressed by the attacks and rising antisemitism in Europe, the other anxious about Lebanon’s vulnerability and the rising threat to Palestinian statehood. Our narratives transcend simple labels.
We share fears, pains and hopes that don’t fit neatly into binary public narratives or social media soundbites. Seeking understanding, we began meeting to discuss the conflict’s complex angles, knowing full comprehension would take lifetimes. We also noticed a growing divide around us – people from different communities stopped talking to each other; hate spread on the streets but also among friends and colleagues. Scared by this trend and driven by our belief in bridge-building, we felt compelled to act and started hosting listening circles, inviting anyone connected to the region or interested in the topic.
