Two Catholic women share how they are working to educate and engage American Catholics to examine their beliefs and perceptions about Palestinians. Interrogating the stories and negative stereotypes began for both during their time visiting the state of Israel and the Occupied Territories of Palestine. Witnessing the daily humiliations, disparate treatment, and suffering of Palestinians inspired both to get more involved over the last decade with Churches for Middle East Peace. This month, the two organized a sign-on letter campaign for American Catholics targeting President Biden as well as fellow Catholics. They join to discuss why they refuse to give up hope and the response of American Catholic organizations and faith-based communities nationwide.
Julie Schumacher Cohen is a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical coalition of church bodies, having previously served as its deputy director. She is also assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at the University of Scranton and a Ph.D. student in political science at Temple University where she studies political theory, American politics, polarization, Israel-Palestine and religion and politics.
Jordan Denari Duffner, Ph.D., Author, educator, and scholar of Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue, and Islamophobia. Jordan holds a PhD in Theological and Religious Studies at Georgetown University. Member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace.
