Network Middle East: A Conver­sation for Peace

The Middle East Network consists of a small group of political experts, activists, and repre­sen­ta­tives from think tanks and NGOs from Israel, the Pales­tinian Terri­tories, as well as regional actors from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In this short video, several members share what motivates them to work toward changing the dynamics of the conflict and what oppor­tu­nities they see in the crisis.

Since October 2024, the members of the network have been discussing peaceful political pathways toward a two-state solution in various meetings held in Berlin and online. At the heart of these discus­sions is also the question of how classical models of conflict resolution must be rethought and adapted in light of current developments.

At the same time, the future role of regional actors is coming into focus – as well as the possi­bility of new solutions embedded in the creation of regional infra­structure. To this end, the members of the network combine in-depth political analysis with concrete confi­dence-building measures – guided by a simple yet radical motto: “I begin the change. What you do is up to you.” (Samer Sinijlawi, network member)

Sinijlawi, who was imprisoned by Israel during the First Intifada, has become a pioneer for peace. He has written about the formation of his political views in The Atlantic.

Other members of the network who agreed to be inter­viewed include:

Yossi Beilin, co-initiator of the Oslo Accords: “The prereq­uisite for resolving the conflict is that there are leaders on both sides who are not only willing to make peace but also to risk their lives.”

Anwar El-Sadat, nephew of the Egyptian president of the same name who was assas­si­nated in 1978 for making peace with Israel: “He was someone who believed in peace.”

Eli Bar-On, former Israeli military judge, who stresses the need for a new regional narrative that “grants legit­imacy to both peoples on this land.”

Zippora Diskind, an Israeli mother of four from the ultra-Orthodox community, who advocates for listening: “You don’t have to agree with every­thing they say to under­stand that, where they are, they are truly suffering.”

Abdulaziz Al-Khames, a Saudi journalist, who explains: “It is important and new for us in the region that we – especially Israelis and Arabs – talk about our problems openly, without ulterior motives or restrictions.”