On the Altar of Peace

To achieve sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians, argues Dr. Yehezkel Landau, both sides must embrace a narrative empathy that allows them to see the humanity of the other. The ability to harbor a “dual narrative perspective,” Landau says, is the foundation upon which the temple of peace can faithfully be built. In this temple, both sides must back away from maximalist claims to beloved land—a painful but necessary sacrifice on the altar of peace.

Drawing on his article titled “Can Zionism Be Redeemed?” in Tikkun Magazine, Landau frames the current situation as an agonizing tragedy: The Israeli and Palestinian peoples have both suffered and committed oppression; both have been victims as well as victimizers. Yet the self-described “faithful realist” believes both peoples can work together for an inclusive and just future that offers freedom, equity, and security for everyone.

Join Mahan Mirza, executive director of the Ansari Institute, as he explores these topics with Landau, an interfaith educator, leadership trainer, author, and consultant (and dual Israeli-American citizen) who has been working to improve Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations and promote Israeli-Palestinian peace building for more than 40 years.

This discussion is part of the Ansari Institute’s conversation series, “Engaged: Religion and the Common Good”: https://ansari.nd.edu/news-events/onl…

To learn more about Landau’s work, visit his website: http://landau-interfaith.com/

Read Landau’s article, “Can Zionism Be Redeemed?” in Tikkun Magazine: https://www.tikkun.org/blog/2019/06/2…