Hope and Action: An Evening of Dialogue on Israel-Palestine

On 27 September, Amsterdam became the setting for an evening of dialogue on Israel/Palestine. Organised by Volt, the event brought elected officials and political representatives, including Volt Europa Co-President Francesca Romana D’Antuono, MEP Anna Strolenberg, Dutch MP Mariekke Koekkoek, Amsterdam City Councillors Itay Garmy (Volt) and Sheher Khan (DENK), together with the Co-Directors of Standing Together, Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood. The aim of the event was to introduce our audience and elected officials to new perspectives, and to show that it is possible to talk about this subject without polarisation. 

Through personal experiences, critiques of political inaction, and a focus on fighting dehumanisation, the speakers engaged in a multifaceted discourse on how to bridge divides and build solidarity across one of the world’s most entrenched conflicts. While the discussion included Palestinian voices, we acknowledge that perspectives from those within the conflict zone itself were missing. This article unpacks the debate’s key themes.

Fighting Against Dehumanisation: Shifting the Focus from Politics to People

One of the most compelling aspects of the dialogue was the resolute effort by Alon-Lee Green (a Jewish Israeli) and Rula Daood (a Palestinian citizen of Israel) to shift the conversation away from ideological extremes and toward the shared humanity of Israelis and Palestinians. The directors of Standing Together broke down the depersonalising, abstract discussions that typically dominate the Israel-Palestine conflict. Both speakers repeatedly emphasised that the safety and freedom of one group could not come at the expense of the other. As Green pointed out, "Our [Jewish] safety is dependent on Palestinian freedom, and Palestinian freedom is dependent on Jewish safety." This statement encapsulates the movement’s belief in the interconnectedness of both communities' futures.

Use of Personal Experience: Grounding Political Arguments in Realities

By focusing on this interdependence, one can see Standing Together’s effort in framing the conflict not as a binary struggle between opposing groups, but as a shared human experience. Green and Daood used their own personal narratives to illustrate the lived realities of ordinary people on both sides. It must be said that the evening did not include the perspective of Palestinians living in the occupied territories, which means naturally not all angles were discussed. 

Nonetheless, their personal experiences were a powerful rhetorical instrument that grounded their arguments in a tangible reality. Rather than speaking in broad generalisations, they brought the audience closer to the emotional and physical toll of the conflict through the eyes of a Palestinian citizen of Israel and a Jewish Israeli. Daood’s descriptions of life under the threat of rockets and the absence of shelters in Palestinian villages, and the urge to stay under the radar for fear of retaliation or discrimination, served as a vivid reminder of the disproportionate vulnerabilities experienced by Palestinian citizens of Israel. Green, too, shared his own family’s experience, with an example of his mother having to take sudden shelter from rockets at his partner’s place, pointing to the constant uncertainty that Israelis live with. 

Critique of Political Inaction: Challenging the Leadership Vacuum

A central theme of the debate was the critique of political (in)action, towards Israeli leadership, as well as the European and international community. Green and Daood sharply criticised the violence used by the Israeli government and its failure to pursue genuine peace, accusing its leaders of perpetuating a cycle of violence to maintain power. Green called out the fact that, despite this, there is still what he describes as “blind support” for Israel from many. He explained that mere displays of solidarity, such as waving an Israeli flag, often bypass meaningful dialogue and do little to promote constructive resolutions, and expressed frustration over “never-ending discussions” around terminology, emphasising that this focus distracts from the urgency of addressing real suffering and injustice.

Volt representatives voiced disappointment with the EU's lack of a coherent and united stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for stronger, substantive measures by the EU rather than vague statements of concern. Dutch MP Marieke Koekkoek observed that while European countries readily united behind Ukraine in response to Russian aggression, the region's historical complexities contribute to divergent perceptions on Israel and Palestine. Koekkoek noted, “Being neutral in this case is taking a side,” underscoring her belief that passivity in the face of injustice represents an implicit political choice, albeit morally problematic.

In Volt’s statements on the ongoing violence in the Middle East, Volt called for immediate actions, including a permanent ceasefire among Israel, Palestine, and Hezbollah, the release of hostages in Gaza, and the resumption of humanitarian aid. Additionally, we have urged the EU to play a more proactive role in advancing a two-state solution as a path to long-term peace. 

Polarisation and the Struggle for Nuance: The Challenge of Breaking Binary Thinking

Another key theme of the evening was the struggle against polarisation and the dominance of binary thinking. Amsterdam City Councillors Itay Garmy (Jewish and Israeli) and Sheher Khan (a muslim vocal about the rights of Palestinians), who work together on an important initiative to build bridges on this topic, repeatedly urged the audience to move beyond the false dichotomy of “pro-Israel” versus “pro-Palestine”, explaining that the only side one can pick is “pro-human rights”. Such concern was echoed by Daood who emphasised the importance of creating a discourse where it is possible to condemn the violence of Hamas while simultaneously criticising the occupation. This is an approach firmly backed by Volt, and one of the reasons why this event was organised in the first place.

The other speakers, too, recognised this polarisation within European discourse, where public opinion often feels forced into extreme positions. D’Antuono remarked on the difficulty of maintaining a balanced conversation in a political landscape where even expressing empathy for Palestinians or criticism of the Israeli government can lead to accusations of anti-Semitism. This tension, the speakers argued, leads to a paralysis that prevents real dialogue and, ultimately, meaningful action. 

From Dialogue to Change

Conversations must be followed by tangible efforts if change is to occur. Green and Daood showed their conviction and commitment towards grassroots initiatives like demonstrations and delivering of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Their message was clear: dialogue is not enough. As Daood noted, “even if we get a ceasefire, it doesn’t mean the situation will end.” The audience was encouraged to take an active role, whether by supporting grassroots movements, pressuring political leaders to push for peace, or simply amplifying the stories of those living under occupation. This emphasis on action resonated with Volt’s broader mission to empower citizens to engage in politics and challenge inaction. In our own communities, we should focus on understanding each other's perspectives, and combating the rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia that we see and feel around us. 

This evening was not just a dialogue but a discourse of urgency, demanding both empathy and political action from those in attendance. By sharing their personal experiences, the speakers clearly emphasised the need for peace, justice and support to human rights for everybody. In the words of Green, “If we, under such conditions, can stand up and demand peace, there is no reason why you, in such a privileged place, cannot do the same.”

By Federico Durante Mangoni, Volt Italia

The event was livestreamed and watched by over 1,000 people across Europe. Volt aims to organise more of these thematic events in different parts of Europe to bring more of its members together.

You can find Volt Europa previous statements here: 

13 October 2023; 9 November 2023; 22 December 2023; 18 March 2024; 25 May 2024; 8 August 2024; 11 August 2024; 4 October 2024; 7 October 2024.