Podcast Summary
Understanding and sharing feelings of others through empathy: Empathy is crucial for connection and healing, but extending it to those different from us during conflict and trauma can be challenging. Israeli and Palestinian individuals shared their pleas for empathy and understanding, illustrating its power and risks.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a powerful tool for connection and healing. However, it can be challenging to extend empathy to those who are different from us, especially during times of conflict and trauma. In the discussion on Hidden Brain, Israeli and Palestinian individuals expressed their desperate pleas for empathy and understanding from the other side. Avner Gvaryahu, an Israeli soldier, shares his story of growing up with a deep sense of patriotism and duty to serve in the military. However, his experiences during his service began to challenge his worldview and led him to question the lack of empathy and hope on both sides of the conflict. These stories illustrate the potential power and risks of empathy, and the importance of making an effort to understand and connect with others, even during the most difficult times.
Serving in the military shapes perspective on complex political situations: Military service can introduce unique perspectives on power dynamics and daily struggles, but sharing experiences can be controversial.
Serving in the military can provide a unique perspective on complex political situations and power dynamics. Avner's experience in occupying Palestinian homes showed him the control he had as an Israeli soldier, but also introduced him to the daily struggles of Palestinians. An encounter with an elderly woman in distress made him question the morality of his actions and led him to join Breaking the Silence, an organization where veterans openly discuss their experiences. However, sharing these stories is not universally accepted, with some viewing it as treason. This illustrates the complexities and nuances of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the personal impact it can have on individuals involved.
Understanding Different Perspectives in Conflicts: Recognizing and addressing traumas and grievances on both sides is essential for empathy and reconciliation in conflicts.
The inability to empathize with the suffering and perspectives of the opposing side in conflicts, fueled by trauma and historical grievances, can hinder reconciliation efforts. The study of Lee Ross at Stanford University illustrates how individuals from different groups can perceive the same reality differently, each side believing they have been wronged. This unwillingness to acknowledge the pain on the other side can lead to anger and feelings of betrayal when someone tries to empathize. Trauma, such as the Nakba for Palestinians and the Holocaust for Israelis, can make individuals turn inward and create justifications for harm caused to other groups, making it harder to feel empathy for their enemies. To create change and promote reconciliation, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the traumas and grievances on both sides, and to encourage empathy and understanding.
Personal experiences can challenge stereotypes and biases: Personal encounters can lead to empathy and understanding, even between long-standing enemies, by challenging deeply held beliefs and stereotypes.
Personal experiences can change deep-rooted beliefs. Muhammad Dajani, a Palestinian who once saw Israelis as enemies, underwent a transformation after observing their kindness towards his sick father and mother. He tried to share his new perspective with his students at Al-Quds University, but they struggled to relate due to their own traumas and negative experiences with Israelis. Muhammad introduced Israeli and Holocaust studies to help bridge the gap, but his students couldn't empathize. However, one student, Hanan, was an Israeli and could relate the suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust to her own experiences as a Palestinian. This anecdote illustrates how personal encounters can challenge stereotypes and biases, and open the door to understanding and peace.
Exposing students to history and trauma to promote empathy and peace: Educator Muhammad believed exposing Palestinian students to Holocaust history would foster empathy and peace, but faced opposition and threats.
Education and empathy are powerful tools for promoting understanding and peace between conflicting groups. Muhammad, an educator, believed that by exposing Hanan and other Palestinian students to the history and trauma of the Holocaust at Nazi concentration camps, they would gain a new perspective and empathize with their Jewish enemies. However, the trip faced opposition from the university and threats to Muhammad and the students. Despite these challenges, Muhammad remained committed to his belief in the power of empathy and the importance of learning from the suffering of others. The students were deeply affected by their experience, gaining a new understanding of the Holocaust and the reality of life in concentration camps. Yet, back at home, their colleagues and the wider community did not see the educational value of the trip, instead protesting against it. This experience highlights the challenges and importance of promoting empathy and understanding in the face of conflict and opposition.
Bridging divides and empathizing with enemies: Peacemakers often face suspicion, hostility, and even danger for their efforts to bridge divides and empathize with enemies.
Attempting to bridge divides and empathize with enemies can lead to backlash and ostracism. Avner Gavryahu and Mahmoud Dajani, two individuals who dared to reach out across the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, faced intense criticism and even danger. Avner was labeled a traitor by his fellow Israelis, while Mahmoud was exiled by his Palestinian community. Their experiences reflect a historical pattern: peacemakers often face suspicion and hostility. The psychological pain of letting go of grievances and traumas is significant, while anger and hostility come naturally. The play "Wrestling Jerusalem" explores these themes, delving into the intertwined traumas of the Nakba and the Holocaust and their impact on empathy between Israelis and Palestinians.
Journeying between East Jerusalem and the West Bank: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict shapes everyday life in Jerusalem, with distinct realities and emotional weight of history impacting travel between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The experience of traveling between different parts of Jerusalem, particularly between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, can be markedly different, with distinct cultural and political realities. The author's personal journey, filled with feelings of invisibility and unease, culminated in a haunting encounter at the Kalandia checkpoint, which brought to mind the horrors of concentration camps and the complex history of the Holocaust. This experience underscores the profound impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on everyday life and the emotional weight of history that continues to shape the region.
Understanding human conflict through psychological research: Lee Ross's studies, which demonstrated the relevance of psychology to everyday life, offer insights into the complexities of human conflict, reminding us of the importance of psychological research in understanding the human condition.
The complexities of human conflict, as explored in the play "Wrestling Jerusalem" and discussed in this episode of Hidden Brain, can be better understood through the lens of psychological research. The late psychologist Lee Ross's studies, which were among the first to demonstrate the relevance of psychological research to everyday life, provide insights into the urgent concerns and life-and-death issues at the heart of such conflicts. The passing of Dr. Ross, described as a unique blend of Shakespeare and the Marx Brothers by his protégé, Dr. Keltner, is a reminder of the unsung heroes whose work continues to shape our understanding of the human condition. If you've gained insight from this episode, consider supporting Hidden Brain's work by visiting support.hiddenbrain.org and sharing it with two friends. Remember, the seemingly abstract studies and experiments conducted in labs can offer profound insights into the challenges we face in our daily lives.
