Israeli and Palestinian Perspectives on Peace and Coexistence Two Years into Conflict

Israeli and Palestinian Perspectives on Peace and Coexistence

In late 2025, NPR reconnected with individuals featured in a November 2023 report that explored Israeli and Palestinian reflections on maintaining empathy amidst conflict. This follow-up aimed to gauge their current outlook on the situation.

The initial phase of heightened conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants initiated attacks on communities in southern Israel. Israeli authorities reported approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals kidnapped during these events. Subsequent military operations by Israel in Gaza resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 Palestinians within the enclave, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

On October 10, 2025, a ceasefire agreement was implemented between Israel and Hamas, with mediation by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Both parties have since accused the other of violating the terms of this ceasefire, and instances of violence have continued intermittently.

Oded Adomi Leshem, a political psychologist and director of the International Hub for Hope Research at Hebrew University, suggests that while peace between Palestinians and Jewish Israelis is achievable, the focus should be on its desirability. His research indicates a consistent decline in the perceived desirability of peace among Jewish Israelis since 2019, while for Palestinians, this perception has varied over the same period. Leshem noted that, on average, majorities in both populations express a desire for peace, despite often believing it to be improbable or problematic.

Yousef Bashir's Enduring Principles

Yousef Bashir, who grew up in Gaza and has resided in the U.S. since 2004 following an injury sustained from a soldier's bullet, recalled his father's emphasis on finding humanity in all individuals. He stated that the experiences of the Palestinian population over the past two years challenged these teachings, though he maintains their enduring relevance. Bashir's mother and brother remained in Gaza during the conflict. As a new parent, he described being affected by the events in Gaza, particularly concerning civilian casualties, noting that the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported a majority of fatalities in the enclave to be women and children. Bashir indicated that the past two years have resulted in personal change, characterized by both grief and a sustained sense of purpose. He founded the Saif Foundation to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza residents and advocates for mutual understanding, teaching his young son multiple languages, including Hebrew, to foster comprehension of cultures involved in the conflict.

Dr. Lina Qasem Hassan's Struggle for Advocacy

Dr. Lina Qasem Hassan, a Palestinian citizen of Israel and chair of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, advocates for the health of both Jewish and Palestinian communities. Following the initial Hamas attack, she assisted Jewish evacuees. Subsequently, she reported experiencing a period of deep depression linked to images from Gaza and the loss of extended family members in the region. A gesture from her daughter helped her regain strength for activism. Qasem Hassan has raised concerns, both domestically and internationally, regarding actions she attributes to Israel against the Palestinian population. Israeli leadership states its operations target Hamas militants while attempting to minimize civilian casualties, asserting that militants operate among civilians. She reported instances where her commentary, such as remarks on the healthcare system in Gaza during an Israeli television interview, was interrupted. Qasem Hassan expressed a sense of alienation from the Israeli society with which she previously identified, finding peace to be a distant prospect.

Maoz Inon's Path to Forgiveness

Maoz Inon, an Israeli residing in Binyamina, whose parents were killed in Netiv HaAsara on October 7, 2023, by Hamas operatives, described a personal transformation. He recounted experiencing significant spiritual growth and embracing what he termed