With an initial focus on promoting religious coexistence of various groups within the Israeli society, our program manager Johannes Lutz gave a first insight into the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian relations, offering a new perspective; from a Palestinian perspective, religion plays a secondary but yet important role in bilateral relations with Israel.
Inès Abdel Razek-Faoder, a former political adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, gave a valuable insight into the complex political situation on the ground, especially with regards to the younger generation. While focusing on "equal rights for all," she also advocated the right of Jewish self-determination and the two-state solution. In addition, Iman Haddad, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Ramallah, presented his perspective on interreligious dialogue, focusing on examples of his church, which promotes various dialogue programs.
Later that day, the director of KAS Palestine Marc Frings gave a political briefing on the general situation in the Palestinian Territories at a joint dinner. During the briefing, it became clear that while there is still hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict, all actors must make compromises. The subsequent discussion highlighted the important role of interreligious dialogue between all parties.