Early Zionist thought framed Jewish claims to the Land of Israel as a moral argument of existential need, balanced against Palestinian claims. Since 1967, discourse has shifted toward a faith-based belief in divine, exclusive ownership. This transformation has fueled hyper-nationalist politics and intensified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Amid the ongoing trauma of October 7 and the war in Gaza, the call is not only for guilt and repentance but also for shame. Shame, unlike guilt, demands reflection on what kind of people we become through our actions. Embracing it may be the spark for transformation - helping both Israelis and Palestinians confront painful truths, reject destructive leadership, and open a path toward peace and renewal.

Israel's government is undermining democracy post-October 7, by weakening legal institutions, restricting dissent, and consolidating power.

Paul Browde reflects on fear, polarization, and trauma, urging a move beyond binary thinking to embrace complexity in identity and conflict.

A proposed Israel-Palestine Union envisions shared governance, reconciliation, and unity to replace conflict with cooperation and prosperity