In our new episode of ROPESCAST, we feature Rabbi Elhanan Miller, founding director of People of the Book, an educational non-profit that teaches Jewish faith and culture to Muslim audiences. Our guest offers a unique perspective on bridging religious divides through digital outreach that has reached remarkable scale - boasting some 500,000 subscribers and millions of monthly hits, primarily across the Arab Middle East. With remarkable insight, Miller shares his approach to breaking down stereotypes through viral social media content and discusses the critical importance of Arabic language learning, religious understanding, and the practical challenges of meaningful interfaith dialogue in today's Middle East.
In our new episode of ROPESCAST, we feature Abdou El Kaoukabi, Director of the Education Department at Mimouna Association and former General Secretary of the organization.
Our guest offers a unique perspective on Morocco's exceptional approach to preserving Jewish heritage and its role as a regional peacebuilder and mediator. With remarkable candor, he shares his personal journey to activism and his fascinating dual heritage that bridges Muslim and Jewish identities.
Through our conversation, Abdou explores the uncomfortable questions that challenge conventional narratives: What makes Morocco uniquely positioned to foster Jewish-Muslim coexistence? How can a nation preserve minority heritage while maintaining its own cultural identity? He reveals the delicate balance required to honor historical memory, combat antisemitism, and build bridges between communities often seen as irreconcilable.
Join us for this important conversation that examines Morocco's model of tolerance and inclusion, and explores what lessons it might offer for regional peace and reconciliation. Abdou challenges us to think beyond traditional boundaries and consider how education, heritage preservation, and personal identity can become powerful tools for building understanding in a fractured region.
In our episode of ROPESCAST, we feature Mohammed Daraghmeh, a veteran Palestinian journalist and bureau chief of Al-Sharq TV (Saudi Arabia) in Ramallah, who brings decades of experience covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including his tenure as a senior correspondent for the AP in the West Bank.
Daraghmhe offers a rare insider's perspective on how media coverage shapes—and often distorts—public understanding of one of the world's most scrutinized conflicts.
With unflinching honesty, Daraghmeh explores the uncomfortable truths that remain hidden from both sides: What do Israelis really know about the horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza? What do Palestinians understand about the trauma and reality of October 7th? He reveals how information is filtered, manipulated, and sometimes deliberately concealed by various actors—from governments to media organizations themselves.
Join us for this important conversation that challenges how we consume and understand conflict reporting, and explores what it would take to burst the information bubbles that prevent both peoples from seeing each other's humanity and suffering.
In our episode of ROPESCAST, we feature Shadi Martini, a Syrian humanitarian activist, doctor, and entrepreneur, who offers a surprisingly hopeful perspective amid Syria's devastation. Martini, who had to run for his life back in 2012 when he helped treating wounded Syrians in Aleppo hospitals against the orders of Assad regime, reveals why he believes a unique diplomatic opening has emerged that could not only end decades of Syria-Israel hostilities but potentially bring Syria into the Abraham Accords framework—a geopolitical shift few thought possible.Against the backdrop of catastrophic humanitarian conditions, where Assad's regime has left an economic wasteland and returning refugees find only ruins where their homes once stood, Martini makes a case for cautious optimism. He acknowledges the legitimate skepticism toward political transitions but argues that this rare convergence of regional interests might offer the Syrian people their best chance for meaningful reconstruction and reintegration into the regional community.Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about Syria's future and explores what might be possible when desperation meets diplomatic opportunity.ROPESCAST is produced by the Regional Organization for Peace, Economics, & Security (ROPES), bringing together voices from across the Middle East to foster dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
Maoz Inon - Building Lasting Peace Post 07/10
In this transformative conversation on ROPESCAST, we welcome Israeli entrepreneur and peace activist Maoz Inon, whose personal journey exemplifies extraordinary resilience and vision in the face of tragedy.
On October 7, 2023, Maoz lost both of his parents in the Hamas terror attack, yet he has found the courage and forgiveness in his heart to continue advocating for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. His story is one of transforming personal grief into a catalyst for positive change and reconciliation.
Maoz shares his profound insights on peace-building, forgiveness, and how to create meaningful change even in the darkest times:
"Forgiveness is the key to redeem ourselves, to free ourselves from the destiny those who harmed us chose for us. They choose for us to hate each other, but many of us are choosing a different destiny based on reconciliation and healing and human values."
Perhaps most moving is his perspective on hope: "Hope is not something we can find and is not something we can lose - hope is an action. And the formula to create hope is also very simple. It's difficult to achieve but it's very simple to explain. We create hope by working together with others and envisioning a better future and acting to make it into a reality."
Join us for this deeply moving conversation that transcends politics and reminds us of our shared humanity and the power of choosing reconciliation over revenge.
ROPESCAST is produced by the Regional Organization for Peace, Economics & Security (ROPES), bringing together voices from across the Middle East to foster dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
ROPESCAST | Episode 30 - From Syria with Love
In this gripping episode, Syrian-American journalist Hayvy Bouzo joins host Ksenia Svetlova for a wide-ranging discussion about Syria at a historic crossroads. Following the dramatic fall of the Assad regime, Bouzo shares her insights on the opportunities and challenges facing Syria today. The conversation moves from high-stakes geopolitics and potential peace with Israel to deeply personal reflections on Damascus's hidden gems, her mother's memories of Jewish life in old Aleppo, and the enduring legacy of Syrian culture – including its world-famous ice cream. Join us for this timely exploration of a nation in transition, balancing between painful past, uncertain present, and hopeful future.
With war still raging in Gaza with no end in sight, events over recent weeks have escalated concerns that the conflict could expand into a regional war involving Iran, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed actors. But how likely is such a conflagration, and what are the respective calculations of Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran? What is the status of the efforts by the administration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to broker a diplomatic resolution along the Israel-Lebanon border? How dire would the civilian toll be for Lebanon and Israel in the event of a full-blown war? And what is the role of the Gulf states and other Arab countries in this unfolding crisis?
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Professor Dajani shares his experiences taking Palestinian students to Auschwitz and Jewish students to Palestinian refugee camps, emphasizing empathy and reconciliation. He discusses the challenges faced and the transformative impact on his students. The conversation also explores the current educational landscape in the Middle East and practical steps for fostering peace.
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In this episode of ROPESCAST, Ksenia hosts Abdullah Aljenaid, geopolitical columnist commentator, regional and international media, and former head of analyst.
In this episode, we delve into the prospects for normalization between Israel and Arab states, as well as the broader integration of Israel and Palestine into the fabric of the Middle East. Abdullah shares his optimism for the future, despite current challenges, and explains why it's crucial to stay committed to building a better tomorrow.
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In the new episode of ROPESCAST, host Ksenia Svetlova engages in an insightful conversation with renowned journalist and humanitarian Arwa Damon. With firsthand experience in conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and now Gaza, Damon shares her perspective on the dire humanitarian situation on the ground. The discussion delves into the diminishing support for HAMAS amidst the escalating crisis and emphasizes the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid.
Tune in!
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In this episode of ROPESCAST, we dive deep into the intricacies of Middle Eastern diplomacy with Ambassador Hesham Youssef, a seasoned former Egyptian diplomat with extensive experience in both the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.
What are potential pathways for collaboration and conflict resolution? How should regional spoilers be dealt with? Is Arab Peace Initiative still alive and what is the way out of the current crisis in Gaza?
Ambassador Youssef provides valuable perspectives on the evolving dynamics of the Middle East and offers insights into what lies ahead for diplomatic efforts in the region.
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This week on ROPESCAST, Ibrahim and Ksenia are joined by British-Palestinian musician and peace activist John Aziz.
John shares his views about the polarization of the conflict in the UK, the challenges we face to reach peace, and his personal message to those who believe in peace to speak out and call for true peace.
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This week on ROPESCAST, Ibrahim and Ksenia are joined by Avi Nudelman who serves as an advisor in sphere of Israel-Palestinian business cooperation He is also an ex-CEO of Israeli–Palestinian Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization that seeks to enhance bilateral trade and commercial relations between Israelis and Palestinians. He speaks fluent Arabic and his expertise is Arab culture & language. Avi shares his experience in building business relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and his vision and hope for a model of business cooperation that would restore the trust between Israelis and Palestinians to work and thrive together, as a step towards true peace.
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In this very special episode of ROPESCAST, Ibrahim and Ksenia are joined by Kamal Mashharawi, a Gazan peace & rehabilitation activist who was fortunate to escape Gaza during the ongoing war.
Kamal shares his story, his family's escape from Gaza, the desperation for humanitarian aid, and his hopes for a better future for all.
For all the answers, tune in!
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In this latest episode of ROPESCAST, Ibrahim is joined by Sarit Zehavi, the President and Founder of the Alma Research and Education Center focusing on Israel’s security challenges along the northern borders.
Sarit elaborates on the developments on Israel’s northern borders since October 7th. Is a war on Israel’s northern borders inevitable? Does Hezbollah want war? What are the sentients among the Israeli residents who have been evacuated from Israel’s northern communities?
For all the answers, tune in!
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In the 20th episode of ROPESCAST, hosts Ibrahim and Ksenia are joined by Israeli diplomat and former Member of Knesset, Danny Ayalon. He served as the Deputy Foreign Minister and the American Ambassador to the United States.
Danny discusses the current Israeli diplomatic challenges, and the
future of Israel's foreign relations.
What relations have been damaged? Could this actually be a momentum for dramatic changes in the Middle East?
For all the answers, tune in!
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In the new episode of ROPESCAST, hosts Ibrahim and Ksenia are joined by Eran Etzion, a former diplomat and strategist, with over 20 years of experience in senior government positions. Deputy-head of the national security council at the Prime Minister's office among many other positions.
Eran elaborates on the strategic and systemic failures by the Israeli government leading up to October 7th, and the failures of the government since October 7th to deal with the war, and its loss of trust from the Israeli public.
What could have been done different in the past? What can we do to change the current reality?
For all the answers, tune in!
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In the new episode of ROPESCAST, hosts Ibrahim and Ksenia host a unique voice from the West Bank, Nidal Fuqaha. Nidal is the Director-General of the Palestinian Peace Coalition-Geneva Initiative in Ramallah, and the head of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO, Forum’s Political Commission.
Nidal sheds light on the ongoing war in Gaza from the perspective of the West Bank, and answers questions concerning escalations in the West Bank, a potential Intifada, "the day after", and the future of the peace process, analyzing both the Abraham Accords and the Arab Peace Initiative.
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This episode of ROPESCAST, which was recorded before the war between Israel and Hamas, provides a glimpse to the notions, views, and conceptions of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Hosts Ksenia Svetlova and Ibrahim Abu-Ahmad, are joined by Israel and Palestine's most renowned statisticians: Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, and Dr. Khalil Shikaki.
They both shed light on the Israeli and Palestinian polls concerning Oslo Accords, the prospect of peace, and the ongoing status-quo. Stay tuned!
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In the new episode of ROPESCAST, hosts Ibrahim and Ksenia engage in a profound conversation with Dov Weissglas, the esteemed advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Palestinian affairs and one of the architects of disengagement from Gaza.
Weissglas delves into the intricacies surrounding the disengagement plan, shedding light on the underlying reasons that prompted such a strategic move. The episode navigates the complex dynamics with the Palestinian Authority during that critical period, offering a nuanced understanding of the circumstances that led to the decision to withdraw unilaterally. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode and share your perspectives with us!
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