Finding Common Ground: Easing Tensions in the Aftermath of the Gaza Conflict

I had a life-changing experience during a car ride.

Years ago, I hopped into an Uber in Cleveland, Ohio, with the sole focus of reaching my destination. To my surprise, I found myself being driven by a man whose politics were radically opposed to my own.

Keith Magee

Arron Dunworth

Instead of remaining silent or getting out of the car, I chose a different approach. I changed my plans and compensated my driver for an additional hour so he could park and share with me why he was such a strong supporter of Donald Trump. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper insight into the concerns and aspirations that drove my driver, and it also fostered a strong sense of connection despite our differing beliefs. In turn, he was touched that someone with different views took the time to understand him. This moment solidified for me the incredible significance of empathy.

I reflect on that encounter from time to time while considering the horrific violence of the war in the Middle East. Although I am neither Jewish nor Muslim, like many Americans, I am deeply troubled by the loss of life resulting from the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists and Israel's subsequent bombardment of Gaza. It is heartbreaking to witness the profound pain of my Jewish and Muslim friends and their growing fears for their own safety.

In cities around the world, people, horrified by the deaths of so many innocent civilians on both sides, have taken part in protest marches. Some of these marches have been openly pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli, often accompanied by passionate discussions and frequently met with equally passionate counterprotests.

Jews and Arabs in numerous nations express fear of the repercussions of the war, and many of us in the US are also becoming increasingly alarmed as we observe the escalating polarization within our own country. Intolerance was already on the rise, but the events of the past two months have propelled it into overdrive.

A Palestinian woman is seen sitting among the debris in her damaged apartment in the Khezaa district on the outskirts of the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis, as a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas entered its second day on November 25th. (Image credit: Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images)

Opinion: An achievable yet improbable route to peace

We are living in a highly volatile environment, with antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise once again. These are issues we once thought were in the past, but recent events, such as the shooting of three Palestinian college students in Burlington, Vermont, have shown that they are still prevalent. This act of violence has been labeled as a hateful act by the local police chief.

In the US, protests occur against a distinctive backdrop. Historically, US presidents and their administrations have had significant influence in the Middle East, potentially impacting the actions of the Israeli government. With this in mind, participating in a protest can feel like a moral obligation. However, while expressing your views on the streets is important, engaging with those who have different opinions is equally crucial.

A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans are increasingly feeling "stressful and frustrating" when discussing politics with those who have differing opinions. When confronted with contentious issues, we tend to quickly align ourselves with one side or the other. This experience underscored for me the incredible impact of empathy.

Many of us hold strong opinions on controversial issues such as abortion rights, same-sex marriage, gun control, and Black history education. Some of us are vocal in their support for either Palestine or Israel, as if it is impossible to empathize with the suffering on both sides of the conflict.

Too often, individuals on one side of an issue believe that their perspective is not only right, but that opposing views are inherently wrong. Even worse, they may view those with different opinions as morally corrupt. Some go as far as dehumanizing those who think differently. However, as the late Bishop Desmond Tutu once wisely stated, "Recognizing the humanity in others is essential for preserving our own humanity."

Instead of allowing polarization to poison our discourse, as a nation we could have taken action. We should have boycotted shamelessly partisan news channels, avoided public debates that turned nasty, and refused to participate in demonizing those with different views. Instead, we could have invested in evidence-based national programs that promote finding common ground and taken inspiration from organizations like Braver Angels and Interfaith America that foster connection across partisan lines.

Rather than debating which books to ban, we should have prioritized teaching children how to empathize with their classmates. Universities should have been required to provide brave spaces where students could practice listening to each other and learn how to respectfully disagree while recognizing each other's humanity.

We have failed to implement any of those measures on the necessary level. Consequently, we are unprepared to address a deeply emotional and incredibly divisive conflict such as the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Hani Almadhoun with his family in Gaza, during a visit over summer. His nephews Omar (next to Hani) and Ali (closest to camera) were among those who died during airstrikes last week.

Hani Almadhoun

In Gaza, my 71-year-old mother keeps a watchful eye over the wreckage that surrounds her family. As of mid-November, a staggering 82% of Americans expressed concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict would result in a surge of hate crimes in the United States, as reported by an NPR/PBS NewsHour/ Marist poll. Unfortunately, it appears that these concerns were well-founded.

We are fortunate to live in a democracy that grants us the freedom of speech, the right to peaceful protest, and the ability to influence our country's foreign policy. Posting, debating, and marching are essential aspects of a free society, but hate speech is not. Empathy is our best defense against bigotry.

The terrified cries of an Israeli child are no different from those of a Palestinian child. The anguish of a parent who loses a child is the same, regardless of nationality. You can understand the pain of both Israelis and Palestinians without condoning violence on either side.

Showing compassion for the suffering of civilians in a distant land and joining a protest march demanding peace is an act of remarkable empathy. It is a response that can bring people together and serve as a starting point for better understanding each other. However, if solidarity with one minority group comes at the expense of another due to a lack of empathy, it would be a betrayal of our history. In America, the struggle for freedom and justice for marginalized groups has a long and proud history, with allyship playing a vital role in promoting equality. For example, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's public support of the civil rights movement, alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., inspired many members of the Jewish community to stand in solidarity with the movement in which Black Muslims, including Malcolm X, also played a crucial role.

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In recent weeks, we have witnessed inspiring instances of "opposing" groups uniting to advocate for peace. Despite facing criticism from their own communities, some Jewish organizations have marched alongside pro-Palestinian protesters to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. American Muslim and Jewish members of organizations dedicated to fostering interfaith relationships, such as the Interfaith Encounter Association, are finding solace in sharing their collective sorrow, an interaction that begins with their shared sense of humanity. This serves as a powerful reminder, as I learned from an Uber driver years ago, that conversations have the potential to bring together opposing parties and, if not change their perspectives, at least open their hearts.

As I pray for enduring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, I also hope that Americans will reject further domestic division and instead spark the much-needed empathy revolution before it's too late. It is only by valuing all human life equally that we can oppose hate wherever it may be found.