Shaul Judelman and Graham Hill discuss how Shaul and others are fostering a grassroots nonviolence movement among Israelis and Palestinians.

Shaul Judelman teaches at Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo and is coordinator at Roots, a grassroots movement that aims to improve the co-existence of Israelis and Palestinians through local initiatives.

Shaul is a Jewish husband, father and teacher, and he works in the field between Judaism and ecological thought. He has been living in Gush Etzion for many years, and has been to his share of funerals, as a result of this conflict.

Shaul writes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “The anger and fear in our communities need to be addressed. Remarkably, there is so much in common and to be discovered between our two peoples, and as I have started to walk across the borders I have started to see hope in the face of challenge. There is much not understood about what is happening in our land, and I have learned to trust those that live close to the land here to be greater sources of innovation and courage than all those talking about the land from afar. To start from the spiritual anchors that guide so many of our people is crucial in working towards a peace that will be genuine for those currently in conflict. In working to create Roots (a grassroots movement of understanding, nonviolence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians), my heart is stronger than ever about what it can bring.”

This video (and its associated podcast) was made possible through the generous sponsorship of The Refuge – Oran Park Baptist Church.