Gathering Voices Nov 2023: Conversation w/authors of the groundbreaking new book, The Wall Between
Channel: FellowshipUSA
Date: 2023-11-22

Fellowship of Reconciliation-USA executive director Ariel Gold in conversation with Raja G. Khouri and Jeffrey J. Wilkinson, the authors of a groundbreaking book “The Wall Between: what Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other” that offers concrete ways for Jews and Palestinians to speak (and listen) differently to each other. 

The Wall Between is a book about the wall that exists between Jewish and Palestinian communities in the Diaspora. Distrust, enmity, and hate are common currencies. They manifest at university campuses, schools and school boards, at political events, on social media, and in academic circles. For Jews, Israel must exist; for Palestinians, the historic injustice being committed since 1948 must be reversed. Neither wants to know why the Other cannot budge on these issues. The wall is up.

The book is both realistic and hopeful—a guide for anyone who is open to new possibilities within the Israel-Palestine discourse in the West. Order your copy of the book from FOR's bookstore https://forusa.org/product/the-wall-between/

Reviews of The Wall Between:

That this book even exists is remarkable. It’s extraordinarily difficult for a Palestinian and a Jew to write a book that fairly conveys the dominant mood in both communities about Palestine – Israel. But this book not only exists – it’s wise, engaging and deeply humane. It will prove an essential text in bringing diaspora Jews and Palestinians together in the justice movement that this moment demands. – Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents

This inspiring book presents Arabs and Jews with the challenge of seeing the “other” as we want them to see us – fully human, with our hurts, history, and hopes for the future. It is a pure application of Martin Buber on the importance of forming ‘I-Thou relationships’ because when we recognize the humanity of others, it enhances our own humanity, as well. – James Zogby, president and co-founder of the Arab American Institute

This inspiring book presents Arabs and Jews with the challenge of seeing the “other” as we want them to see us – fully human, with our hurts, history, and hopes for the future. It is a pure application of Martin Buber on the importance of forming ‘I-Thou relationships’ because when we recognize the humanity of others, it enhances our own humanity, as well. – James Zogby, president and co-founder of the Arab American Institute