Trialogue – How we talk about Israel and Palestine

The news cycle never stops. Events keep unfolding, and our feeds are flooded with horrific images and videos. Some of us are constantly confronted with injustice, suffering, fear and loss via social media. And when we remain mindful of this, we realise that personal narratives are inextricably intertwined with large-scale power structures; history shapes the present and leaves the future shrouded in darkness. Processing all of this is overwhelming.

Yet talking about it is often challenging. How can we approach such a complex and emotionally charged topic? How do we create spaces where different perspectives can be seen and coexist? And how do we manage to tolerate contradictions and keep the dialogue going?”

Since 7 October 2023, the discourse on Israel and Palestine has been highly polarised. Positions are often irreconcilably opposed, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to remain in dialogue with one another. Shai Hoffmann and Jouanna Hassoun address precisely this issue: they create spaces for dialogue in which different perspectives become visible, complexity is tolerated, and an open, democratic culture of debate remains possible.

Their book, “Trialog – How We Talk About Israel and Palestine”, also explores two very different life stories: Shai Hoffmann is a German Jew with Israeli roots, and Jouanna Hassoun is a German-Palestinian whose family lived in refugee camps in Lebanon before settling in Germany. Together, they observe how the conflicts in Palestine and Israel fuel anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism. Amidst the toxic, social media-driven disputes, they draw attention to the complexity of identities within German society. They are a light in this dark tunnel, for they show us how to keep the dialogue going – even when it becomes frustrating and painful.

On this evening, Jouanna and Shai will read excerpts from the book and share their personal experiences – from the initial shock on 7 October to their work in schools, where they encounter young people expressing deep anger and fear. They will discuss how their discourse has shifted from the so-called ‘safe space’ to the concept of the ‘braver space’: For in order to advance their work, they need an environment that allows for mistakes and difficult questions, rather than ‘cancelling’ them. Their ‘Braver Space’ is a space where empathy knows no bounds and where one person’s pain does not negate another’s. When all goes well, a multi-layered space emerges in which contradictory narratives can coexist simultaneously. And in which these are endured and worked through together. In the ‘Braver Space’, we grow through our challenges.

Following the reading, the floor will be opened for a discussion between Jouanna, Shai and you, the audience. Doubts and questions are welcome here; we do not promise simple answers or magical solutions, but we do promise a space of mutual dignity.

From the conclusion of Chapter 5: Our Trialogue for Adults:

Questions for the readers:

1. What do you need to be able to have a conversation about Israel/Palestine? Do you have a space for this?

2. Under what circumstances would you be unable to continue the conversation? And why?