What does it mean to be both a witness and a bridge in a time of war?

In this powerful episode, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib—a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Palestinian American raised in Gaza—shares his story of survival, loss, and conviction. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Ahmed explores the personal and collective traumas that shape Palestinian life today, including the impact of the current war on his own family.Refusing the binaries that dominate public discourse, Ahmed pushes for a third space—one grounded in mutual empathy, moral courage, and an unflinching commitment to truth. His vision for Gaza’s future goes beyond reconstruction; it is a call to transformation rooted in justice, dignity, and pragmatic hope.
Bio of Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib 

Discussion Questions 

1. Trauma and Politics
   Ahmed describes the impact of personal and collective trauma in Gaza and emphasizes the importance of healing. How can trauma—both individual and communal—shape political realities? What might it mean to include healing as part of a vision for peace?
2. Making Space for Complexity
   Throughout the episode, Ahmed resists aligning with rigid ideological positions and instead calls for a “third space” rooted in empathy and complexity. What makes it difficult to hold space for multiple truths in today’s discourse around Israel and Palestine?
3. Diaspora and Responsibility
   Ahmed speaks openly about his frustration with Palestinian and Arab diaspora communities who engage in rhetoric but avoid practical action. What role should diaspora communities play in shaping the future of Gaza and Israel? What does responsible engagement look like?
4. Barriers to Dialogue
   The episode concludes with a challenge to consider what barriers exist within the Jewish community that prevent meaningful dialogue. What assumptions or structures might limit these conversations—and how might we begin to dismantle them?
5. A Vision for Gaza
   Ahmed outlines a bold vision for Gaza’s future—one that prioritizes autonomy, dignity, and opportunity. Which aspects of his vision resonated most with you? What would it take to move from reconstruction to transformation?

Show Notes Video

• Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib speaking at Israel at a Crossroads

Further Reading
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. "An Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Nearly Killed Me. But I Recognize Both Sides' Trauma." Haaretz (April 30, 2017)
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. "The Case for Pragmatism" The Atlantic (March 15, 2025)
 Dahlia Scheindlin. "Is Prominent Hamas Critic Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib a Palestinian Prophet or a Voice in the Wind?" Haaretz (May 5, 2025)