Engaging with the Israel-Palestinian Conflict | Jewish Federation of Orange County

Updated May 27, 2021

Against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical conflict taking place in the Middle East, Americans in general and American Jews in particular, are navigating the sea of ideas, information, opinion and expression. Social media is a powerful tool for sharing information and opinions, but it is not always suited to discussing sensitive topics such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a respectful, nuanced manner. While social media can be awash in misinformation and outright antisemitism, our own face-to-face interactions can also feel fraught.

Here are some suggestions for how to think and talk about the conflict:

Who are you engaging with? Before you embark on an Israel conversation, think about who you are going to converse with and what you hope will result.

Is it a friend looking to understand your perspective?
Is it someone with lots or little knowledge about Israel?
Is it someone whose opinion you don’t know or whose views are very different than your own?

Each scenario may require a different approach and a different goal. But in each case, the best conversations are rooted in:

Curiosity- a willingness to listen and learn from the other
Honesty- speaking your truth and pursuing facts
Humility- accept that both of you know only a portion of the full story.

Tips for a productive conversation:

• Start with empathy
• Listen to listen, not to respond. Ask open questions and invite response, then encourage your friend to do the same.
• Use positive language - investing in peace, building a better future, coexistence
• Talk about your values and what is important to you. Listen for shared values that animate your views.
• It's fine to disagree with policies and leaders of the Israeli government, just as it is fine to disagree with policies of the American government. Remember: you are not responsible for the decisions and actions Israel takes.
• Believe that people care about the issues even if they know less about them than you do.
• You do not need to be an expert to engage in meaningful conversation and you don’t need to have all the answers. Tell your story and talk about your feelings. Use specific, personal stories and ideas that convey emotion. Use lots of “I” statements
• Address specific issues and reject absolutism

What if your friend is resistant to another point of view?

• Consider whether you can have a conversation with this person. Is your goal to understand this person’s perspective or to change their thinking? Are they open to hearing your views?
• Acknowledge that you have different perspectives and that it is fine to disagree.
• Talk about shared values and tell your story and perspective.
• Don’t put your friend on the defensive; defensiveness shuts down listening
• Remember that not everyone is willing to have a conversation. It is ok to walk away from unproductive meetings.
• Your physical and emotional safety are most important. Struggling with views that are different from yours is part of learning. However, if you feel unsafe, its fine to end the conversation.

Sources of reliable information on Israel:

Print

The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post are premier, English-language news sources with blogs platforms hosting a range of thinkers and writers
The Washington Institute - an American pro-Israel think tank based in Washington, D.C., focused on the foreign policy of the United States in the Near East

Podcasts

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing podcast – a 15-minute update on news from Israel featuring TOI’s leading journalists

Multimedia

Jewish Unpacked: Providing nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish (with excellent resources on Israel)
Israel Policy Forum: Policy explainer, podcast, briefings, articles, and more

Influencers and Information Sources

Instagram

Twitter