‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is a podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Coming up in today’s episode we meet Jonny Clark. Jonny is the Programme Manager for Public Theology within the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace centre.

Corrymeela was founded in 1965 by Ray Davey and a group of university students. Based in a town called Ballycastle on the North Coast of Northern Ireland it is a place that provides for dialogue, healing and community building, particularly in the context of sectarian divisions.

Today, Corrymeela continues its work, addressing Contemporary issues such as migration, trauma and identity, striving to create a more peaceful and inclusive society.

I would like to extend special thanks to Connaire McCullough for taking the time and effort to edit these interviews during this particularly busy period in my life.

Jonny has worked in peacebuilding and reconciliation for 25 years, both in Belfast and in post-conflict contexts around the world. His work has focused on fostering dialogue, understanding, and healing in divided communities.

In 2018, he produced a documentary titled Guardians of the Flame, along with an accompanying podcast of the same name. The film explores the experiences of three individuals who were directly impacted by Northern Ireland’s conflict,highlighting their personal journeys, struggles, and hopes for peace. Through this project, Jonny aimed to shed light on the power of reconciliation and the resilience of those affected by violence.

In this interview, we speak with Jonny about his involvement in Corrymeela. We explore the role of faith as a tool for conflict resolution and how it can serve as a positive social force to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians while fostering inclusive societies.

Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898

Email: israelpalestineunpacked@gmail.com

Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Pádraig

‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Hani Description

In our first interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Hani, a fascinating individual who describes himself as half Palestinian and half European. With a love for languages, Hani is something of a polyglot, fluent in English, Arabic, Turkish, Hungarian, Romanian, German, and Italian. His linguistic abilities reflect his diverse background and enable him to connect with people from a wide range of cultures.

Hani views himself as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, believing that his unique heritage and language skills allow him to foster understanding and dialogue between different worlds. However, he expresses a sense of disappointment that, despite their curiosity, many people are hesitant to cross cultural bridges and engage with unfamiliar perspectives. More troubling to him is the observation that some are determined to demolish these bridges altogether, rejecting opportunities for meaningful connection and mutual respect.

Paula Description

Paula was born in South Africa and moved to Israel at the age of 12. She spent 18 years there, living on a kibbutz in the centre of the country. Since leaving Israel, she has resided in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she lives with her partner and daughter.

She holds a degree in community theatre from Tel Aviv University and a Level 3 Certificate in Peace and Reconciliation. Passionate about progressive Judaism, she is working towards a lay reader's certificate, which trains her to lead Jewish prayers through Liberal Judaism UK.

In our interview, we discuss how her experience of living in conflict zones has shaped her understanding of conflict, what she means by being a "critical friend to Israel," and what she would say to Israelis and Palestinians in light of her personal experience with Northern Ireland’s imperfect peace.

Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898

Email: israelpalestineunpacked@gmail.com

Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Pádraig

‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.

Daliah Description

In our first interview, we speak to Daliah, a 41-year-old mother from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. She describes herself as having "two wonderful sons who are" her ‘’greatest joy’’. After enduring four harrowing months of violence, killing, and starvation in the Gaza Strip, she managed to leave her homeland.

At present, she is residing in Cairo, seeking safety and stability for her family. Her journey has been filled with immense challenges, yet she remains a proud Gazan determined to build a brighter future for her children.

Kemi Description

In our second interview, we sit down with Kemi, born in London to Israeli and South African parents, who grew up in a secular household. Her upbringing, rooted in a multicultural background, nurtured a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. In 2010, after completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Kemi made the pivotal decision to move to Israel, driven by a desire to reconnect with her roots and start a new chapter in her life.

She spent five years serving in the IDF, an experience that deepened her understanding of Israeli culture while exposing her to the complexities and challenges of Israeli society. Early in her journey, Kemi met her husband, and today they raise two children in central Israel.

The balancing act of motherhood amidst ongoing conflicts has significantly shaped her perspectives on society and politics, offering a unique lens on resilience and identity in Israel.

Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: israelpalestineunpacked@gmail.com Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Pádraig