Israel/Palestine Podcast

“Astonishing. The creators have succeeded in bringing renowned scholars to the microphone, some of whom rank among the leading figures in their fields. (…) a mammoth project that, in its breadth and depth — and above all in its multifaceted nature — seeks its equal. (…) A treasure trove of historical knowledge is opened here.(…) It is precisely the diversity of perspectives that makes the podcast so valuable – far beyond the targeted education sector. (…) With regard to societal debates, they express the wish ‚to never simplify what is complex – and to never complicate what is simple.‘ In this, a maturity is revealed that one sometimes looks for in vain among politicians and commentators today.”
— Christian Meier, political correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, covering the Middle East and Northeast Africa, Bildungswelten, FAZ, 31 December 2025 (print edition). Online version here.

The project emerged in the context of the Oberstufenforum (Upper Secondary Forum) at the Catholic Academy of Berlin, a platform fostering exchange between academia and schools.

What started small, grew unexpectedly on the way with our growing curiosity and enthusiasm and the incredible willingness of renowned experts to meet with us. We don’t claim to be comprehensive, nor do we intend to lecture anyone. We are simply sharing our own learning journey here.

We have spoken to historians, legal scholars, trauma researchers and educators – many of whom are world-leading experts – to better understand a conflict that shapes identities, divides communities and echoes through generations.

Our approach has been multiperspectival. We don’t aim to resolve contradictions or controversies, but to hear different perspectives, to listen deeply where perspectives conflict. Human Rights and International Law are the foundation of responsible multiperspectivism.

Are we ready to see the world from a perspective different than our own? Can we listen and hold conflicting truths at the same time?

Find your own answers!
Or better questions.

Our wish is this:
To never simplify what is complex.
And to never complicate what is simple.
Learning is growing in the wisdom to know the difference.

Are you ready for the discomfort of learning?

Listen to all episodes right here:

You can also go directly to the provider:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Youtube

Follow us on Instagram.

How we have worked

A multiperspective journey

This project follows a multi-perspective approach that reflects the complexity of the Israel–Palestine conflict. Guided by the Beutelsbach Consensus, we aim to make visible what is controversial in academia and politics to empower students to develop empathy and think critically rather than be overwhelmed by opinion.

The podcast unfolds through eight chapters in 51 episodes that explore the human, historical, political, legal, psychological, and educational dimensions of this conflict. Together, they highlight the moral urgency of the current situation and make civil society’s perspectives for a just peace visible.

Within the historical chapter, we pursued two complementary lines: one rooted in collective narratives and one coming from an analytical distance. Both can intersect and enhance each other. Both are represented by recognized scholars. We moved from the big picture to the close-up, focusing on the Mandate and 1948, as these periods are most crucial for understanding current debates. Like this all contested topics are always explored from multiple perspectives. We have talked about 1948 with Derek Penslar, Adel Manna, Muriel Asseburg and Gudrun Krämer. The settler colonial lense is discussed with Michael Brenner, Simon W. Fuchs, Victor Kattan, Derek Penslar, Omri Boehm and Gudrun Krämer. You can find all cross-references in our comprehensive shownotes on this site.

The political debate chapter focusses on analytical depth rather than ideological polarity, showcasing complex and nuanced positions, while reflecting controversies. Our main criterion for selection was the quality of thought and expertise, ensuring that even in disagreement, we can gain insight and learn. Although simple pro/con frameworks cannot capture the subtlety of complex reasoning, we have aimed to create a balanced 5:5 debate structure.

The current debate on genocide is illustrated through two highly qualified perspectives: Prof. Omer Bartov, a world-leading scholar of the Holocaust and genocide, and Prof. Eyal Benvenisti, one of the most respected international law scholars globally. They represent the two disciplines with the expertise necessary to address this highly contested issue.

Since analytical depth was our priority, each guest brings a unique and invaluable perspective, which is not necessarily counterbalanced in every aspect, avoiding the artificial creation of controversy.

Multiperspectivity, however, never means neutrality: human rights and international law are the foundation of responsible multiperspectivism.

To help us navigate this complex field, the project is guided by two anchor episodes.

All contested historical matters are addressed by the world renowned historian Prof. Gudrun Krämer, author of the acclaimed reference work A History of Palestine. From the Ottoman Conquest to the Founding of the State of Israel (6., überarbeitete Auflage, C.H. Beck, 2015; Princeton University Press, 2007). She was awarded the Historisches Kolleg Prize 2025, the highest recognition in historical scholarship in Germany.

All contested legal matters are addressed by Prof. Claus Kreß, one of the principal authorities in international criminal law, co-author of the Rome Statute, Special Advisor to the ICC, and Judge ad hoc at the ICJ. He explains the key concepts of international law, its institutions and the current state of jurisprudence.

Our work has been AI-assisted, verified by experts. It was led by five student hosts and guided by a teacher who curated this learning journey in close collaboration with experts. All final decisions about topics and guests were made by the students.

All interviews were either based on students’ own questions, complemented by the teacher to ensure a coherent learning arc, or conducted as research assignments inspired by questions that emerged along the way. In this way every interview was like a lesson hosted by the students.

Dedication

As we prepare to publish our podcast, 13. Okt. 2025, marked a turning point: after two long years of anguish, Israeli hostage families finally saw their loved ones return. While some families are still awaiting the remains of their loved ones, there was immense joy on this day. For Gazans, it was a moment of great relief amid ongoing devastation. Though the Peace Plan leaves many questions unresolved, people celebrated this day of relief across Israel and Palestine.

It is a profound gift for us that, after a year of bearing witness to these unfolding catastrophes, we could witness these deeply emotional moments of relief that reunited families on both sides.

We continue to pray and hope for a just peace, for security, dignity, and equality for all who call Israel and Palestine home.

We dedicate this Podcast to all victims and survivors of October 7, the (former) hostages and their families, to all innocent civilians killed and injured in Gaza and their grieving families and friends.

To our dear guests: Udi Goren, Khalil Sayegh, Sima and Mai who shared their losses so generously and so powerfully with us.

To their families:
Tal’s wife Ella Haimi, their children Nir, Einav, Udi and Lotan, who never had the chance to meet his father.
To Khalil Sayegh’s mother and siblings.
To Mai’s and Sima’s family, to her mother Bushra.

To the blessed memory of:
Tal Haimi,
Lara Sayegh,
Jeries Sayegh,
Mahmoud,
Danny Darlington and
Haim Perry.

Credit & Thanks

We want to express our profound gratitude to all who have supported this project, first of all to our wonderful guests who shared their time and knowledge, their losses and hopes so generously with us. We are humbled and beyond grateful for all the generous words of recognition and encouragement that we have received.

We also want to warmly thank all those who have supported us with their recommendations, advice or that have contributed in any other way to make this project possible:

Prof. David Nirenberg
Prof. Michael Wolffsohn
Prof. Rashid Khalidi
Prof. Gudrun Krämer
Prof. Claus Kress
Prof. Simon W. Fuchs
Prof. Omri Boehm
Prof. Awad Halabi
Angelica Hilsebein
Dr. Sarah Albrecht
Dr. Roi Bar
Prof. Christine Funk
Anita Haviv
Derviş Hızarcı
Christian Staffa
Alexandra Senfft, Parents Circle Friends Deutschland
Vered Berman, Parents Circle Deutschland
Jan-Hinrich Wagner, New Israel Fund
Mohamed Ibrahim
Rabbi Dr. Tirzah Firestone
Rae Kauders
Dr. Bashir Bashir
Linda Kanellos Okur
Saraya Gomis
Regine Luebben
Andreas Post
Dr. Katrin Visse
Pater Manfred Kollig SSCC
Agnes und Franz-Josef Zessner
Dr. Gesine Palmer
Michael Brinkhoff
Charlotte Wiedemann
Mehmet Can
Tobias Nolte
Simon Klippert
Nilden Vardar
Silke Azoulay
Dr. Serge Brusselsky
Karin Stöger
Prof. Birgit Hoyer
Mathias Broekl
Stefan Förner
Johannes Rogge
Mohamed Ibrahim
Mohamed Chahrour
Team of the Catholic Academy Berlin
Parish St. Christophorus, Neukölln
Parish Martin Luther King, Neukölln
Parish St. Dominicus, Neukölln

What others say about our Podcast

Quotes of endorsement, acknowledgement and encouragement

“Secondary schools and curricular education have become heated places during the war with critical conversation difficult – if impossible – to stage manage. This initiative, carried out by graduating students in Berlin, is quite fearless. It also seems grounded in a methodology that allows for different perspectives, drawing on the expertise of several of our colleagues and a good many more, including community leaders from across the political spectrum. It is definitely worth engaging, pulling apart, thinking about.“
Prof. Dr. Jennifer Evans, Historian of Germany, Carleton University Ottawa / Royal Society of Canada

„Just yesterday, it was the best way to drown out the annoying fireworks; today, it’s my top New Year’s recommendation:
This multi-perspective podcast by five young people from Neukölln is a gift and an absolute must-listen, because it
– shows what is possible in schools,
– shows what is possible in Neukölln,
– does not shy away from complexity,
– holds multiple things at once,
– allows for different perspectives,
– brings together an incredible level of competence,
– and focuses on empathy and insight rather than outrage and one-sidedness.
Throughout the process, we kept getting a sense of just how big what is being accomplished here really is. In 50 episodes, five young people from Neukölln speak with renowned international experts and open up a view of the conflict that goes far beyond the limited debates we tend to have in this country.
One can only hope that many listeners will come to appreciate this incredible commitment and expertise—and make listening to this podcast their New Year’s resolution.
Thank you to Alexandria, Efe, Yusuf, Mert, and the accompanying educators.“
Tobias Nolte, related e.V. (Tobias Nolte is one of the most influential and inspiring pedagogical voices in Germany. He played a key role in transforming Campus Rütli from a national symbol of urban failure into a national reference point for inclusive education in the most challenging contexts. Together with Simon Klippert, he co-founded related e.V., a Neukölln-based initiative of students and educators working to build the school of tomorrow—grounded in an education that places connection at its center. His work with related e.V., promoting educational equity and participatory school development, received the Lighthouse Award for Civic Engagement (Leuchtturmpreis Ehrenamt) from the Ravensburger Verlag Foundation (Germany) in 2025.)

“One of the most exciting initiatives of the year.“ „I don’t know of any comparable initiative driven primarily by high school students that addresses the complex issue of Israel/Palestine with such depth, curiosity, and comprehensiveness. Multiperspectivity is a widepread buzzword that is rarely lived up to.
This podcast is quite different. The expert voices gathered here, which explore so many aspects from history and the distressing present to psychology and education, all deserve to be heard. They will greatly enrich (not only) the German debate. I am very impressed and delighted to be part of this series. Thank you very much for the invitation.”
Prof. Dr. Simon W. Fuchs, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

“What an inspiring achievement.”
Prof. Dr. Omri Boehm, The New School for Social Research, NYC

“The students did an amazing job assembling the series and organizing the individual episodes.”
Prof. Dr. Derek Penslar, Harvard University

“This remarkable series reflects a sincere and dedicated effort to make sense of the ongoing war in Gaza. The students’ insightful questions open the door for a diverse group of scholars to explore the many dimensions of the conflict and share a fuller, more human perspective.”
Prof. Dr. Eyal Benvenisti, Tel Aviv University/Yale Law School, Legal Advisor to Israel before the ICJ in the preliminary measures phase

“Congratulations for this remarkable project. I was very impressed by the curiosity, commitment and professionalism of all those involved. It gives me great hope for the future.”
Dr. Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

“A fantastic project. As an educator, I am happy and grateful to have made a modest contribution to political education. Many schools consider the topic too sensitive and do not even discuss it. The Neukölln students, on the other hand, have done everything they can to gain a variety of perspectives and background knowledge. I am very impressed by the knowledge they have acquired and the well-founded questions they asked during my
interview about the political situation in Israel and Palestine.” 
Nazih Musharbash, President of the German-Palestinian Society

 “A fantastic series of wide-ranging conversations with multiple major scholars. I congratulate and salute the students for their dedication to knowledge and criticism and I wish them all the best in their future lives as adults in this increasingly complex and troubled world.”
Prof. Dr. Omer Bartov, Brown University

 “Never forget we are human beings first. Always have the intellectual curiosity and emotional empathy to figure out why people see things differently.
When you think there are simple solutions to complicated problems, alarm bells should go off. Remember that the brightest people will always say „I might be wrong, but…”
Prof. Dr. Kenneth S. Stern, Bard Center for the Study of Hate, Lead drafter of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism

“I’ve been incredibly impressed by the students‘ curiosity, thoroughness and dedication to hearing disparate perspectives, including those that may clash directly with simpler, more „comfortable“ ones. One thing we should be able to agree upon is that this region and this conflict are massively complex, and that easy answers will rarely suffice to offer real understanding. I wish university students in Europe and America showed the same commitments to intellectual inquiry that these high school students have demonstrated. As these students continue to university, I will be that much more reassured that the intellectual future is in the hands of young people who genuinely wish to learn about – and influence for the better – the world around them. Thank you for including me in this remarkable project.”
Oren Kessler, Royal Historical Society, Author of Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict, Winner of the Simon Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature 2024. Named among the 10 best books of the year by the Wall Street Journal, finalist for a National Jewish Book Award. It was named one of the ten best non-fiction books of 2025 by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

“They should be applauded for their maturity and inner resoluteness in their commitment to confront some of the most painful legacies of our time.”
Dr. Yael Danieli, UN Senior Representative. The pioneering trauma expert developed the first psychological care program for Holocaust survivors and their children worldwide and transformed the field of Trauma Studies through her insights in transgenerational transmissions. She is a world renowned victimologist and the only living person that helped establish all victims rights in international law. She counseled all International Genocide Tribunals and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“Change is coming! After 40 years of professional, activist and academic life, devoted to humanitarian issues and peace, I have seen many dark times, and sometimes wonder if there’s no future except this darkness.
What gives me hope is young people who have the intellectual and moral courage to confront the evils of the day, and to bring about change.”
Prof. Dr. Alex de Waal, Tufts University/World Peace Foundation

“It is a remarkable achievement. Kudos to the students for doing this.”
Prof. Dr. Victor Kattan, Nottingham University

“This is a very impressive and courageous project.”
Prof. Dr. Elad Lapidot, Université de Lille

“This is truly a flagship project.“
Prof. Dr. Ufuk Topkara, HU Berlin

“I am impressed by how much work the students have put into this podcast series while graduating. They were very well prepared, respectful, and professional. Despite the emotionally very charged topic, it was clear that they were interested in contributing to a more fact based discussion and in making the Israel – Palestine conflict something that can be talked about. I wish the series many listeners.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. Naika Foroutan, HU Berlin

“An ambitious project in which the Neukölln students dedicated themselves with great commitment to understanding historical and current debates on the Middle East conflict. The result – this podcast series – is very impressive. One could only wish that political debate were likewise marked by such a diversity of perspectives.” „It was a great honor to contribute. A truly fantastic student project!“
Dr. Muriel Asseburg, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik

“A huge recognition to the students of Berlin-Neukölln for your amazing commitment to learning about Israel-Palestine with such depth and from multiple perspectives. Your dedication to understanding complexity, rather than settling for easy answers, is inspiring. We at SNS are honoured to have been invited to speak on your podcast, and we deeply encourage you to continue leading the way in showing how curiosity, empathy, and open dialogue can build a better future.”
Sharon Booth – CEO Solutions – Not Sides / Leading British NGO educating about the Middle East Conflict in Schools

“Great initiative!“
Dr. Per Leo, Author and Historian, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin

“This initiative is both extraordinary and exemplary.”
Prof. Dr. Claus Kreß, University of Cologne, Special Advisor to the International Criminal Court, Judge at the International Court of Justice

“Maşallah, dear Alexandria, dear Efe, Yusuf, Philip, Mert, and dear colleague. Much respect to you all for bringing this important and unprecedented project to life.” Full review here.
Mehmet Can, Campus Rütli Community School (Mehmet Can is one of Germany’s leading educational voices on addressing antisemitism in schools and on teaching the Middle East conflict in diverse classroom settings. As a teacher of history, political science, and ethics and Head of Social Sciences at Campus Rütli in Berlin-Neukölln, he co-initiated and leads the award-winning student comic project “More Than Two Sides,” developed after a study trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The project has been honored with the ELNET Award, fair@school, Demokratisch Handeln, and the Helga Moericke Prize, and was nominated for the German Engagement Award 2022 and the Berlin Prevention Award 2021, recognizing its innovative, multiperspectival approach to the Middle East conflict, antisemitism, and racism in educational practice.)

„High School Students are doing what many people in the German media landscape apparently can’t manage to get right.”
Prof. Dr. Stefan Ouma, Chair of Economic Geography, University of Bayreuth

“An impressive 51 podcasts! What a project, what an accomplishment!”
Prof. Dr. Svenja Goltermann, University of Zurich

“A must-listen for everyone who cares deeply about human rights in Palestine and Israel…”
Dr. Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty International Germany

„So much praise from so many sides for a student project! It seems to me that it is much bigger than that, also a project for the future. Thank you!“
Dr. Noa K. Ha, Scientific Managing Director, German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM)

„What the high school students have created here is truly astonishing and deserves all of our respect. Jouanna Hassoun and I also had the chance to take part in one episode. Strong listening recommendation. Please rate — and above all: share!“
Shai Hoffmann, Gesellschaft im Wandel gGmbH (He is an award-winning social entrepreneur, activist, and moderator. Together with Jouanna Hassoun, he is among the most prominent facilitators of dialogue in schools in Germany. He hosts Germany’s most widely listened-to podcast on the Middle East Conflict, “Über Israel und Palästina sprechen.”)

“A huge shoutout and unconditional recommendation to listen to this great project!”
HörBus Nahost – Perspectives on Wheels, is a mobile multimedia education project that brings diverse perspectives on the Israel–Palestine conflict into schools, fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy through interactive audio-visual storytelling.

“In view of the great helplessness and powerlessness that overwhelm many of us in the face of the horrific events of October 7 and, day after day since then, in Gaza, the podcasts are a great help in regaining one’s own capacity for thought and in becoming broadly informed. I therefore thank the five young people very much for their commitment.”
Prof Dr. Marianne Leuzinger-Bohleber, training analyst (DPV/IPA); emerita professor of psychoanalysis at the University of Kassel; Director of the Sigmund Freud Institute (SFI) in Frankfurt am Main from 2001 to 2016, now Senior Scientist at the University of Mainz; member of the IPA Subcommittees on Migration and Refugees. She received the Mary Sigourney Award in 2016, the Haskell Norman Prize for Excellence in Psychoanalysis in 2017, and the Robert S. Wallerstein Fellowship for 2022–2027. Fields of work: clinical and empirical research in psychoanalysis; adolescence; psychoanalytic developmental psychology; early prevention; psychoanalysis and cognitive science / literary studies / philosophy of science.

“It is wonderful and gives hope to see young people engage with this topic in such a creative and profound way. Congratulations!”
Prof. Dr. Özan Odağ, Professor of Psychology, Touro College Berlin

“I have to say, that I am very impressed. This series of podcasts featuring truly internationally leading scholars in their fields, is, I believe, one-of-a-kind. In any case, I think that’s fantastic and I wanted to warmly congratulate you on it.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Gudrun Krämer, FU Berlin, Recipient of the Historisches Kolleg Prize 2025, the highest distinction in historical scholarship in Germany