Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green on Standing Together Podcast Summary with Brene Brown, Rula Daood, Alon-Lee Green

Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green on Standing Together

1-Page Summary

Building political will in Israeli and Palestinian societies for peace

Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood from Standing Together are deeply involved in shaping political will for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. They both advocate for cooperation between the two societies and against mobilizing support for unfeasible solutions that ignore the shared existence on the land. Green proposes a shared narrative ending occupation and promoting equality, while Daood rejects extreme solutions like the removal of millions and slogans promoting single-sided freedom. They recognize asymmetric losses and trauma, with Palestinians suffering more significant losses and racist treatment in Israel, whereas Israelis do not gain from the occupation, which fails to provide safety or prosperity.

Fears and despair are present in both societies, being used politically to maintain the status quo. Green and Daood urge the cessation of bloodshed as a priority to pave the way for peaceful resolution and equality within Israeli society. They challenge the populace to engage politically to craft a new understanding that envisions and realizes the benefits of peace, insisting on the necessity of hope to overcome fear and despair. Their organization encourages both societies to recognize their shared existence and collaboratively strive for a future of equality, liberty, and freedom.

Supporting groups like Standing Together in building political will

Standing Together is at a critical point in its peacemaking efforts, which places a strong emphasis on peace, equality, and justice. Brown expresses a desire to help groups like Standing Together increase political will for peace. After experiencing negative sentiments in public, Rula Daood found Standing Together to be a group that aligned with her views and participated actively, rising to become their national co-director. Standing Together's philosophy is rooted in solidarity and Jewish-Palestinian unity, choosing collective action over division.

Alon-Lee Green discusses Standing Together's vision of ending violence as a necessary precursor to peace, with the organization focused on uniting political power to ensure a harmonious existence for all in the region. Support for Standing Together’s mission is crucial, according to Brown, who points to the need to build political momentum for a dignified and secure future for Palestinians and Israelis. Daood encourages amplification of their message and political advocacy that promotes peace, while Green highlights the need for genuine support for Israeli citizens through alliances with peace-seeking groups like Standing Together. Support from individuals like Brown and external entities is vital in building the political will required for sustained peace.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

Asymmetric losses and trauma in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict refer to the unequal suffering experienced by both sides, with Palestinians often enduring more significant losses and trauma compared to Israelis. This imbalance stems from historical events, ongoing conflicts, and power dynamics that have shaped the relationship between the two communities. The recognition of these disparities is crucial in understanding the complexities of the conflict and the differing perspectives of Israelis and Palestinians. Acknowledging these asymmetric experiences is essential for fostering empathy, dialogue, and ultimately, working towards a more equitable and peaceful resolution.
The phrase "removal of millions" in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations typically alludes to extreme solutions like mass expulsion or forced displacement of either Israelis or Palestinians from the region. This idea is often associated with radical proposals that involve relocating large populations as a means to address the conflict, which can be highly controversial and ethically problematic. Such proposals are usually considered unrealistic, inhumane, and not conducive to achieving a sustainable and just peace between the two peoples.
"Shared existence on the land" in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict refers to the acknowledgment that both Israelis and Palestinians live on the same land and have a shared history, despite their differing narratives and experiences. It emphasizes the idea that both peoples have a stake in the region and need to find a way to coexist peacefully and equitably on the same piece of land. This concept underscores the importance of recognizing each other's presence and rights in the shared geographical space, promoting cooperation and understanding for a sustainable peace agreement. It aims to move beyond divisive narratives and work towards a future where both communities can thrive together in harmony.
Mobilizing support for unfeasible solutions means advocating for ideas or actions that are not practical, realistic, or achievable in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This could include proposals that lack broad consensus, violate international norms, or ignore the complexities of the situation on the ground. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on viable and sustainable approaches to address the conflict rather than pursuing unrealistic or unsustainable paths.
"Amplification of their message" in this context means increasing the reach and impact of the message put forth by Standing Together, making it more widely heard and understood by a larger audience through various means such as media coverage, public events, partnerships, and advocacy efforts. It involves spreading awareness about the organization's goals, values, and initiatives to garner support and mobilize action towards building political will for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Genuine support for Israeli citizens through alliances with peace-seeking groups involves fostering partnerships between organizations that advocate for peace and the well-being of Israeli citizens. These alliances aim to promote understanding, dialogue, and cooperation among diverse groups within Israeli society to work towards a peaceful and secure future for all. By collaborating with peace-seeking groups, support can be extended to Israeli citizens who prioritize peaceful resolutions and seek to build a more inclusive and harmonious society. Such alliances play a crucial role in building political will and momentum for sustained peace efforts in the region.

Counterarguments

The complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may render simple narratives of cooperation insufficient to address the deep-seated historical, religious, and political issues at play.
Some may argue that the focus on shared narratives and equality overlooks the need for security measures that protect citizens from potential threats.
Critics might suggest that the idea of not benefiting from the occupation overlooks the perspectives of those Israelis who believe the occupation is a necessary evil for national security.
There may be skepticism about the cessation of bloodshed being a realistic priority, given the ongoing violence and lack of trust between the two societies.
The emphasis on hope might be seen as overly idealistic in a situation where practical and immediate solutions are needed to address urgent issues.
Some might argue that the approach of Standing Together does not sufficiently address the power imbalances and complexities of the conflict, potentially underestimating the resistance to change within both societies.
Critics could point out that external support for peace initiatives might be perceived as interference in domestic affairs, potentially undermining the legitimacy of local peace efforts.
There may be concerns that the vision of Standing Together is too utopian and does not adequately account for the divergent national aspirations and identities of Israelis and Palestinians.

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Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green on Standing Together

Building political will in Israeli and Palestinian societies for peace

Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood, members of Standing Together, address the historical and socio-political complexities within Israeli and Palestinian societies, highlighting the imperative to create joint political will for a peaceful resolution.

Mobilizing people towards unrealistic, unhelpful solutions ignores shared existence

Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood discuss the need for Israelis and Palestinians to work together towards building political will, rather than being mobilized towards unfeasible solutions.

The need to recognize both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in the land

Alon-Lee Green speaks about bridging the gap between the two realities that Israelis and Palestinians live with. He emphasizes a common narrative that benefits both in ending the occupation and achieving peace where all are free, independent, and equal. Green firmly maintains that Israelis must acknowledge they share the land with Palestinians who also deserve equal rights.

Green stresses that any peaceful resolution must recognize that both peoples must live with rights and freedom to ensure safety for both, suggesting that there must be a shared existence. He criticizes radical calls for one side to disappear, terming such solutions unrealistic and unhelpful, and advocates for political change that would allow equality and freedom for both peoples in the land.

Rula Daood echoes his sentiments, indicating that both Jewish and Palestinian peoples—who have lived on the land for many years and call it home—are going nowhere. She affirms that the starting point for a solution must admit the fact that both live on the land and both deserve independence, equality, liberty, and freedom.

Seeking radical solutions that ignore this shared existence is unrealistic and unhelpful

Daood speaks out against extreme positions on both the pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian sides that call for the removal of 7 million people from either population, dismissing these radical ideas as fantasies. She also speaks against slogans like "from the river to the sea," suggesting that they do not promote freedom for all but for only one people, which is unrealistic because neither population will leave.

Recognizing the asymmetric losses and shared trauma

Alon-Lee Green acknowledges that Israelis suffer less than Palestinians but notes that Israelis do not benefit from the occupation, which does not bring safety, prosperity, or a desirable life. Rula Daood discusses the experiences of racism and the feeling of being treated as second-class citizens that Palestinians undergo in Israel, adding to the trauma and fear among Palestinian citizens.

Green discusses the mutual fears of threat perceived by Israelis and Palestinians and mentions the trauma experienced especially by Palestinians, with many deaths and the majority of homes in Gaza being affected by bombings.