When Things Fall Apart: The Israeli and Palestinian Future in the Shadow of Ruin

We are living through the darkest period we have known—a time of physical, emotional, and moral devastation. We are obligated to face reality in such times, but that alone is not enough. From this clear-eyed perspective, we seek to reclaim our agency and restore hope. We will ask: What intellectual and practical tools do we—Palestinians and Israelis—have to resist the forces of destruction and devastation and initiate repair?   

The conference will bring academic knowledge, hands-on experience, spirit, and action together. Alongside plenary sessions, all participants will be invited to participate in roundtables and actively engage in shared discussion, reflection, and creative work.

The conference will be held primarily in Hebrew, with plenary sessions translated simultaneously into Arabic and English. (Simultaneous interpretation will not be available to remote live stream viewers. YouTube's automatic captions can be enabled).

Plenary Topics:
▪ Looking Devastation in the Eye
▪ How to Stop a War: How can Regional and Global Geopolitics, and Local—Israeli and Palestinian—Politics Be Mobilized to Halt Devastation and Generate the Power for Repair?
▪ Partnership-Based Peace (Shemesh): Principles for Clear-Sighted Peace in a time of Catastrophe
▪ The Challenges of Partnership: Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians—How Do We Build Effective Partnership? 

Roundtables:
In-depth discussions will follow the plenaries, bringing together academics, civil society activists, and partners in change to explore paths for action. Topics will include:  
● Civil Society Strategies
● Cross-Border Partnership
● Starting in Jerusalem
● The Role of Art and Creativity

Speakers include:

Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness, Thabet Abu Rass, Rabbi Tamar Elad-Applebaum, Assaf David, Michael Sfard, Gal Gabai, Fida Shehada, Maoz Inon, Awni al-Mashni, Lev Grinberg, Jamal Zahalka, Samah Salaime, Yehudit Oppenheimer, Avi-Ram Tzoreff, Arie Kacowicz, Hamutal Yafe-Dax, Michal Braier, Yehezkel Lein, Inbar Horovitz, Yael Lazar, Fakhira Halloun, Anne Klotz, Haviva Pedaya, Qaed Abu Latif, Chen Bram, Aviv Tatarsky, Kholod Idres, Shaul Judelman and more.

Organizing Committee:
Limor Yehuda, Ameer Fakhoury, Oren Yiftachel, Rawia Aburabia, Ron Dudai.

Full Program>>