Viola Raheb in conversation with Brant Rosen, Mitri Raheb and Mohammed Abu-Nimer

RELIGION AND ETHICS IN TIMES OF WAR
Can religion be a recourse for peace and justice

In times of conflict and war, religions and their ethical foundations occupy a complex and often contradictory role. While rooted in moral teachings that advocate for compassion, the sanctity of life, and forgiveness, religions also have the potential to become powerful forces for peace. Religious leaders and organizations can champion non-violence, provide humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering, elevating peace as a moral imperative. Yet paradoxically, these same traditions are sometimes invoked to justify war—through interpretations of ‘just war’ theories or the dehumanization of others. Religion and ethics can act as both constraints on violence and catalysts for conflict, depending on the context and interpretation. This challenge is compounded by the marginalization of voices within religious communities that advocate against war and violence, making it urgent to amplify these perspectives and foster cross-faith dialogue.

With a special focus on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the panel discussion seeks to explore these pressing issues, identify pathways for collective action, and uphold peace as a universal value.

Brant Rosen, is a Reconstructionist rabbi, writer, and activist based in the United States. He is the founder and rabbi of Tzedek Chicago, a congregation grounded in social justice and anti-Zionist principles. Rosen is a co-founder of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council and the author of Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi’s Path to Palestinian Solidarity.

Mitri Raheb, is a Palestinian Lutheran pastor, theologian, and prominent Christian leader based in Bethlehem. He is the founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University and the author of numerous books on Middle Eastern Christianity and Palestinian identity. Raheb is an advocate for peace, justice, and cultural empowerment in the Palestinian territories.

Mohammed Abu-Nimer, is a peacebuilding scholar and practitioner, specializing in conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. He is a professor at the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C., and Senior Advisor at the KAICIID Dialogue Centre. Abu-Nimer has led peace and dialogue initiatives across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

Viola Raheb, scholar of religious studies lecturer, writer and Senior Fellow at BKF