Debate for Peace

Hundreds of Israeli Jews and Muslims, Palestinian Christians and Muslims, Samaritans and others came together from all walks of life and all corners of the Holy Land to break (pita) bread together in the largest interfaith Iftaar of the year, and perhaps ever for Israelis and Palestinians. The evening was all the more remarkable coming amidst the political and social tensions of the ongoing war, a testament to the desire of men and women from both sides of the divide to put aside politics and see each other as humans.

The evening was an initiative of the Children of Abraham organization, and led by long-time bridge-builder Mohamad Jamous, who used the adverse circumstances as motivation to bring even more people together. Numerous organizations and activists partnered to connect diverse communities, including support from the LOV Foundation which promotes peacebuilding and resilience through arts, crafts and storytelling. 

Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions, this historic gathering was a powerful testament to the shared values of compassion, hospitality, and dialogue that transcend religious and national identities.

Speakers from various faith traditions took the stage to share messages of hope, unity, and solidarity, and a shared commitment to building a better future together. The evening opened with blessings from Muslim and Jewish leaders, followed by remarks from a representative of the Samaritan community, and Christian activists. The call of the Shofar pierced the sky in a high-pitched cry for humanity, followed by Sheikh Hassan Abu Eliyon reciting the Quran, and the call to prayer marking the end of the fast.

In a land where conflict often dominates headlines, events like the Children of Abraham remind us that peace is possible, and indeed the best path forward for the diverse individuals and communities living in this land. It’s also a call for others to find solidarity and build bridges. If even in the most difficult of circumstances, hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians traveled hours to share Iftaar together, then many others can learn from and be inspired by their example.

Organizer Mohamad Jamous shared his remarks:

On November 15, 1990, I was born.
But today, I am born again , I am reborn with all of you,

in this blessed gathering, we come together at one table, beyond borders and walls,
with open hearts and souls yearning for peace.
But as we sit here together in feeling of love and unity, we cannot ignore the suffering around us.
At this very moment, while we share this meal, children are dying in Gaza. Families are being torn apart, and dreams are buried beneath the rubble.
At the same time, hostages remain underground, deprived of light, of warmth, and of the embrace of their loved ones.
This painful reality cannot be ignored, nor should it be forgotten.
Our presence here today is a testament to our belief that humanity is indivisible,
that suffering knows no borders or religions.
We gather not just to share a meal, but to reaffirm our commitment to justice, to stand with the oppressed, and to work for a day when no child lives in fear, no mother weeps, and no human is deprived of their freedom and dignity.
We are here because we believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us, and that this Holy Land—where prophets once prayed and generations dreamed—must be a land of hope and coexistence, not a battleground of division and destruction.
Thank you to everyone who has come today to be part of this historic moment. Thank you to those who believe that dialogue is stronger than barriers, and that a person is defined by their heart, not by their passport or identity.
Let us eat together, talk together, and dream together of a world that is more humane, more just, and more peaceful.
Welcome, everyone, and Ramadan Kareem!