At the heart of every conflict lies a binary: us vs. them. These lines can grow, shift, or dissolve as alliances form and fracture, but the essence remains the same.

Today, we breathe such a deep sigh of relief at the news of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. For over 15 months, the people of the Middle East have endured unimaginable pain, horror, fear, and profound loss that has reverberated across the region. 

One of the most devastating experiences of Islamophobia for me was when my daughter experienced Islamophobic bullying at her school, which included two older boys shouting ‘F***ing P**i’ at her.

Over the summer, I was honoured to join the SNS team as an intern for 6 weeks. Although the duration was short, I learnt many things that will stick with me forever.

Before joining, I had never worked in a professional environment. I was going in blind, not knowing what to expect. I was nervous, excited, and intrigued about what my experience would entail. 

Participating in the Bridge Builders Programme in Cambridge was a transformative experience that deeply enriched my understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and interfaith dialogue. I engaged in discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities that highlighted the complexities of the conflict and the importance of interfaith dialogue. As a Jewish Israeli, I have found that learning about other perspectives is crucial, especially being open to dialogue on issues that mean a lot to me and my family.